The rugby league world moves quickly.
It seems like yesterday that reports of Jack Wighton's intentions to test the open market were dominating the timelines.
Instead, we've received confirmation that the former Dally M medalist has completed his 2024 move and will be wearing red and green for potentially the rest of his career.
Canberra, rather than insisting on ridiculous, face-saving enquiries from the NRL, need to accept the decision and look forward ... and quickly!
With the greatest of respects to players currently off-contract, pickings are fairly slim.
I've searched the off-contract, and even contracted but potentially available, players in efforts to provide five potential replacements.
Unfortunately, Wighton's early to mid-season decision has really put Canberra on the back foot. That said, this situation is very solvable.
Below are five potential options to replace Jack Wighton for 2024 and beyond:
4. Blake Taaffe
Another off-contract half who would benefit greatly from a fresh start is 24-year-old Blake Taaffe.
He'd also arrive on less than half of what Wighton would have cost them, allowing the Raiders to balance out the squad with a big recruit out wide.
Taaffe's career is yet to take off for the simply reason he has been stuck behind superstars Latrell Mitchell, Adam Reynolds and then the supremely talented Lachlan Ilias.
There is a super footballer in the 24-year-old. He has nine try assists despite minimal football.
With an extended run in the halves, potentially at number six, I can see Taaffe becoming something special.
He and Fogarty present an exciting halves combo. Certainly one which offers much better value than the current output the club is "enjoying".
This would absolutely be a risk but Taaffe's upside shapes as one worth taking. Especially as a bridge option while they chase a higher profile player for 2025.
