Puzzling detail in Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton’s statement on 3.45am nightclub fight
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Jack Wighton could have walked away without being arrested or charged by police for his role in “fighting” good fellow Latrell Mitchell on a Canberra street in the early hours of Sunday morning.
And the police had to use special handcuffs just to detain Mitchell because his wrists were too big for standard restraint devices.
As more details come to light about the incident that ended Wighton’s 30th birthday on a miserable note, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Wighton had the option of leaving.
However, with his two teammates waiting at the Wighton house, the Raiders star decided to show unity with his partner and join him in the police jail.
Wighton had a chance to avoid arrest after the fighting incident with his good partner Latrell Mitchell, but he decided to go to jail anyway.
The remorseful NRL stars have apologized for their late-night brawl and ensuing arrest, but it’s the way they did it that will shock fans.
The South Sydney fullback was in Canberra to celebrate his good friend Wighton’s 30th birthday, but it all went horribly wrong when they were seen fighting outside a club on Bunda Street in the CBD at around 3:45am.
Consequently, they were arrested and charged with fighting, and will face a Canberra court on February 22, a week before the NRL season begins.
Mitchell and Wighton are free to play this Saturday for the Indigenous All Stars despite being arrested for fighting over the weekend.
Mitchell looks on during Star of the Ring III Charity Fight Night at Hordern Pavilion on February 8, 2019
The incident also occurred just a week before the NRL All Stars match with both players selected for the Native All Stars side.
Mitchell and Wighton issued the following statement:
“We wanted to express our remorse for putting ourselves in a position to embarrass our clubs and the NRL over the weekend,” they said.
“We were there to celebrate Jack’s 30th with family and friends. While everyone enjoyed a great night, we understand that our fight, as harmless as we thought it was, was a bad decision and could have gone bad.
“We are sorry for this and we know that we must be better when we are in public. We remain great friends and look forward to proudly representing our community in the All-Stars this weekend.”
However, the way the apology was delivered also drew attention, because it did not come via the media units of the NRL, South Sydney or Canberra Raiders.
Instead, it aired through No Limits Boxing, even though neither star had stepped into the ring before.
Mitchell and Wighton are signed by manager Matt Rose, who founded No Limits and also represents Souths star Cody Walker, UFC breakout star Tai Tuivasa and boxing star Tim Tszyu.
Rose is the founder of No Limits Bpxing and is also a manager at Mitchell and Wighton. Her apology was published through No Limits, not the NRL.
Mitchell looks on during the Paul Gallen v Justin Hodges weigh-in at the Aware Super Theater on November 22, 2022
Wighton and Richmond Tigers AFL player Dustin Martin speak ringside during the Sydney Super Fight undercard bouts in 2022
Rose told the Daily Telegraph that the pair were good friends and downplayed the incident in the nation’s capital by saying they were “always fighting”.
“They both think they are stronger than the other and they are joking around all the time,” he said.
“It was a bit of fun gone wrong after a few drinks.”
Meanwhile, shock jock Ray Hadley called for the duo to be thrown out of the All Stars match for their alleged fight.
“I think they should pull out of Saturday’s game at the very least,” Hadley said on his 2 GB morning show on Monday.
“I think someone needs to move on and say, ‘Guys, get on the next plane back from Auckland, you won’t be playing All Stars, you’ll have a week to freshen up. ‘
Controversial 2GB radio presenter Ray Hadley has called on the NRL to ban both players for their actions. The NRL has issued a statement saying that they are ready to play the All Stars match.
The NRL have confirmed that the incident, described by the players as ‘harmless’, will not rule out any of the players for Saturday’s match against the Maoris.
“Both Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton remain available to take part in the 2023 All Stars match this Saturday in Rotorua,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The LNR will wait for the conclusion of the criminal process before finalizing its process and determining any applicable sanction.”
The alleged offenses do not meet the threshold of the NRL’s no-fault takedown policy.
A witness told 7News that Mitchell and Wighton were “just messing around and having a little laugh” before police intervened.
‘[They] he dragged him to the other side of the road and then everyone jumped on him and tackled him for no reason,” the witness said.
“It was really brutal and unnecessary for the number of them out there.”
Mitchell and Wighton speak to the media during a No Limit boxing promotional event for the Super Saturday Boxing Festival in 2022
Mitchell, Wighton and Josh Addo-Carr enjoy a day off in Scotland during the Rugby League World Cup 2022
Walsh Bar owner Michael Bagley called the fight “a joke” after both players began their evening at his bar.
“If you think they were fighting in any shape or form, that’s just pathetic, it’s an absolute joke,” he told 7News.
They’ve been hung out to dry and they’re nice guys.
Mitchell has previously said that he can launch a boxing career after his NRL days are over.
“As soon as I learn how to throw a punch, hopefully if I do and they don’t give me ten weeks, we’ll go from there,” he said in December.
matty [Rose] It has been flattering me a bit but you have to train to be able to do it. At footy, we make people trust you to help you out on the pitch. But when you’re in the ring you’re on your own, it’s a different mentality.
“It could be challenging and competitive, which I like to be, and maybe it could be something in the future.”