Ricky Stuart has lashed a "flawed" NRL contracting system as the Canberra Raiders coach opens up on losing Jack Wighton - the game's hottest free agent - to South Sydney.
The Raiders coach issued an impassioned statement to Canberra fans after Wighton knocked back a $4.4 million offer and instead took a cutprice deal to join the Rabbitohs in pursuit of a premiership.
Wighton also knocked back an offer in the vicinity of $1 million per season from Wayne Bennett's Dolphins to link with the Rabbitohs on a contract worth about $800,000 per year.