Ricky Stuart admits he's hurting after star Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton opted to leave the nation's capital for South Sydney, lashing the NRL's "flawed" contracting system in the process.
The Raiders boss confirmed Wighton had told the club on Tuesday he'd depart at season's end, the Dally M and Clive Churchill medallist opting to link up with distant cousin Latrell Mitchell and chase a premiership with the Rabbitohs.
It leaves a gaping hole in the middle of Canberra's spine with the 225-game Raider a stalwart in his 15-year tenure at the club.