He had heard all the hype, but the Canberra Raiders five-eighth wasn't sure he had done enough to earn a State of Origin debut.

He wasn't even sure when the NSW Blues team for June 5's series opener was being announced until he sat in the Canberra Stadium change rooms, head bowed after a frustrating defeat.

As he made his way home to see his partner and "two beautiful kids", his phone lit up with an unknown number.

It was Brad Fittler telling the 26-year-old he is going to be a Blue.

It was fitting the first people he shared the moment with were his partner Monisha, and daughters Ariah and Aaliyah when he walked through the door at home.

Because if it weren't for them, Wighton mightn't be in a position to take on the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.

They are the reason he vowed to make no more blunders amidst a league-wide warning to "pull your head in". Wighton once feared his career may have been over because of one drunken night that saw his assault of five men captured on CCTV footage.

Wighton has had to own his mistake - a sizable one at that - and is refusing to shy away from it ahead of one of the biggest moments of his career.

"I've got two beautiful kids and the missus at home. I thought, when all that stuff went down last year, I've got to turn it all around for them," Wighton told NSWRL.com.

"It's all about making a better future for my little girls, so they're probably my biggest motivation.

"I've had a lot of support. The club has been great to me, my partner, mum and all that. All my family, they've all been great [throughout] the journey.

"I'm cheering. I turned things around for the better and worked hard at it, and it has been really good."

Wighton admits a whirlwind 48 hours has been a little bit overwhelming.

He was whisked out of Canberra and into a sky blue jersey he had dreamed of wearing since he was a kid playing for the Orange CYMS.

But that's not to say it was completely unexpected - even Wighton had done his best to block out the hype during Canberra's rise into the finals picture.

His case was hard to ignore - Wighton has been a standout for Canberra this season following his move to five-eighth. His boot alone has forced eight drop-outs and nabbed two 40-20s throughout the opening 11 rounds.

He is no stranger to new positions - Wighton has played plenty of centre and fullback during his time with the Green Machine.

Now that versatility has seen the Raiders star win his first Blues jersey - one he was ever so close to five years ago as a NSW extended squad member.

"There was a lot of speculation and whatnot but you can never believe what you're hearing. I was just focusing week in, week out on club games and it has paid off for the better," Wighton said.

"I really wanted to get myself back in the picture [for the Blues]. After the year I had last year, to get back on the field and in a new position, to get myself back in the picture was all I was wanting. This is just unreal.

"I'm really loving five-eighth. Coming into the season with a full pre-season under my belt for the first time in the position, it has changed a heap.

"I'm really enjoying it and I'm learning each week, and improving each week. I'd love to stick there for a little while.

"With the 14 jersey [for NSW], I'm, just going to try to bring as much energy as I can and just do anything the boys need me to do."