‘I will never know’: Corey Parker fires up as Jack Wighton defends himself after biting allegation

Raiders star Jack Wighton was placed on report but allowed to stay on the field for an alleged bite on Tyson Gamble which is certain to earn the ire of the match review committee.

An incensed Gamble rushed up to referee Ashley Klein adamant that he had been bitten by the Canberra veteran in the 47th minute of the Knights’ extra time win over the Raiders.

A close-up shot showed a clear mark on his left arm, but Klein consulted with the Bunker and opted to place the incident on report given he wasn’t certain that it was a definite bite.

“I can’t move my mouth. He’s got to move his arm,” Wighton protested.

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Wighton could be referred directly to the judiciary if the match review committee steps in, with Broncos winger Ash Werner copping a two-game ban in the NRLW when she was sent off for a bite earlier in the season.

“They’re allegations,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.

“I hope that great game of football isn’t overshadowed in the media by that.”

The incident fired up the home crowd and the Knights who hit back through Kalyn Ponga moments later to cut the margin to four points and went on to win in extra time.

“I wouldn’t say that incident (fired us up),” Ponga said.

“I think the crowd got behind us after that definitely and they got us home, not that incident.”

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Michael Ennis described it as a “pivotal moment” in the game given the way Newcastle rallied afterwards while Braith Anasta said he “couldn’t believe” Wighton stayed on the field.

Corey Parker echoed Anasta’s sentiments on Fox League, dumbfounded why Wighton did not come under further scrutiny from referee Klein.

“You can see right there, there is evidence there were teeth marks on the forearm there of Tyson Gamble,” Proctor said.

“How Jack Wighton was able to stay on the field I will never know. The precedence over time we’ve seen, we saw Proctor sent off, in the NRLW it was the same thing.

“We’ve seen this over time. There was clear evidence and at the time Ashley Klein said, ‘Do you want to make a formal complaint?’, he said, ‘Yes I do’ and from memory, the words coming out of Jack were, ‘What was I supposed to do?’. It was huge in the context [of the game].”

Corey Parker was surprised at the lack of action taken.Source: FOX SPORTS

Ennis said it was “out of character” for Wighton. While a “good friend” of the Raiders five-eighth, even Ennis admitted to being “surprised” Klein didn’t take further action.

“It’s certainly out of character for Jack,” Ennis said.

“Kevin Proctor was sent off for a bite… we saw it earlier this year in the NRLW… it proved a pivotal moment. When Klein made no attempt to remove Wighton from the field, it galvanised the Newcastle crowd and lifted them.

“I must say, I know Jack well, he’s a good friend, it’s out of character. But when I saw the marks, I thought it was surprising Ashley Klein didn’t take [action].”

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