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Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton wants to be one-club player as 100th NRL game approaches

Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton is set to play his 100th NRL game this weekend, but good luck convincing his mum of that.

Several rugby league websites have Wighton listed as only having played 98 games, with a game overlooked in the 2015 season (the round 12 clash against the Brisbane Broncos).

So the 24-year-old was resigned to celebrating his 100th NRL game twice as he set his sights on becoming a one-club player.

It will also be forward Joe Tapine's 50th NRL game.

Depending on who you believe, Wighton will bring up the milestone against the New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium on Saturday - either that or the following week when Manly comes to town.

Wighton made his debut against the Gold Coast Titans in 2012 and said the early part of his career had been frustrating due to injury and also not knowing where he fitted in.

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He broke his foot mucking around on a trampoline in his debut season and has played on the wing, centre, five-eighth and halfback before finally settling into his role at fullback.

Hopefully, he can convince his mum to make the trip down from Orange to watch the Warriors.

"I'm still arguing with mum, she believes it's next weekend even though I've told her it's this weekend," Wighton said.

"So they're coming next weekend, but I'll have a couple of people around for it.

"She won't believe me. I tried telling her it's this weekend, but they said they're coming next weekend so I'll celebrate then I guess."

Now in his sixth NRL season, Wighton has established himself at fullback where he's become an integral cog in the Green Machine's attack and defence.

When he's not bundling an opponent into touch to make try-saving tackles then he's linking up with either the Raiders' right or left edge  as part of one of the competition's most potent attacks.

Wighton came through Canberra's under-20s and he said he'd be happy to finish his career there as well.

"Definitely, I'd love that. I'm very big on loyalty so if they look after me I'd love to look after them," he said.

"It's a beautiful place here in Canberra, it reminds me of home so much and it's home now."

Raiders legendary fullback Gary Belcher felt Wighton was down the pecking order when it came to representative honours, but backed the Green Machine No.1 to be able to handle the job if he was called upon.

Wighton has played for the Indigenous All Stars, as well as NSW Country in the City-Country Origin.

Belcher said custodians like James Tedesco and Matt Moylan appeared to be ahead of Wighton, but he expected Wighton would go on to become a 200-game player in the NRL.

"He's a talented player, still a work in progress, but he's got a lot of attributes no doubt at all," Belcher said.

"He's very good, he's down the pecking order from a few guys if you start talking about representative jerseys ... Tedesco and Moylan, but [he's] not far off.

"He'd do a wonderful job if he got a start there. If they're looking for someone that's not going to let the team down he's certainly got a lot going for him ... he's very likely a 200-game player." 

His Raiders teammate Sia Soliola said it might have taken Wighton some time to find a home in the line-up, but now he was there it was "scary" what he could become. 

The No.1 jersey has been Wighton's since 2015 - when Soliola joined the Raiders from Super League club St Helens.

"We've loved him there [at fullback]. Being the last line of defence, he's been awesome in that sense and he's only going to get better in attack," he said.

"It's a scary thing because he's a great ball-runner as well and he's got a lovely pass, and I think we'll see more of that as the years go on."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Sia Soliola. Reserves: 18. Dunamis Lui, 19. Jordan Turner, 20. Makahesi Makatoa. 21. Lachlan Croker.

Warriors squad: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Blake Ayshford, 3. David Fusitu'a, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. James Gavet, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Jacob Lillyman, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14. Nathaniel Roache, 15. Charlie Gubb, 16. Ligi Sao, 17. Sam Lisone. Reserves: 18. Albert Vete, 20. Bunty Afoa, 21. Mafoa'aeata Hingano, 22. Mason Lino.