It was the perfect way to put his Origin error behind him - being part of an emphatic win with his Canberra Raiders brothers.
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Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton has already spoken about how he wants State of Origin redemption and he'll do that by doing everything he can for the Green Machine.
Wighton had a mixed game in his NSW Blues debut on Wednesday night - his fingertips saving a certain Queensland try, but his intercept pass leading to one.
Less than 48 hours later he was back on the field, helping the Raiders to a 28-0 victory over Wests Tigers at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.
Wighton ran for 112 metres, had 330 kick metres and made four tackle busts in his return to the NRL.
But it didn't start perfectly for Wighton - his first kick went a long way out on the full, but he put that behind him and knuckled down for a solid performance that included a try-saving tackle when Tigers fullback Corey Thompson looked set to score.
The 26-year-old was grateful for the chance to get back on the field and show what he was capable of.
"Definitely. The best thing about football is you get to play again the next week," Wighton said.
"There's other things in life you don't get a second chance at. Half full's my perspective at the minute and I'll never be more grateful for the opportunity I got.
"I made a dream come true that I never thought was going to happen. That's the way I look at it mate.
"Half empty, half full and mine is definitely half full. It's an experience I'll never ever forget in my life.
"That's the way I approached it and I'm back with my brothers now, I love these fellas so I'll put my best foot forward for them."
Wighton said he's had no indication from Blues coach Brad Fittler about his chances of retaining his jersey for Origin II in Perth on June 23.
Instead he'll focus on his job with the Raiders.
He said they'll "bounce straight into" their clash against the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Thursday after a six-day turnaround.
Wighton was blown away when he was told of the history the 2019 Raiders created when they kept the Tigers scoreless.
It's the third time they've had a clean sheet this season, having already done it to the Gold Coast and Parramatta, which was a first for the club.
Defence has been a massive emphasis for Canberra this year and they've currently conceded the second fewest points in the NRL behind only the Melbourne Storm.
Wighton said their third clean sheet didn't mean a lot, but it did show how far they've come.
"Really? That's awesome. It means [stuff] all at the same time, but we've also got to enjoy that stat because it's a big effort from the lads," he said.
Wighton was one of three Raiders to back up from Origin, along with Maroons prop Josh Papalii and Blues winger Nick Cotric.
He's come through the Raiders system with Papalii and has always looked up to him as an inspiration.
Wighton was in awe of his big boppers' efforts.
Papalii was one of Queensland's best in their Origin I win and then backed it up with a Herculean effort against the Tigers.
He ran for 170m, had one offload and made 19 tackles - all with a bunch of stitches in his eyelid.
"He's a lot tougher than me, mate. He played a lot more minutes. He's a freaking animal," Wighton said of "Papa".
"I've known him for years. I came through the system with him and I always knew he was the man.
"He's someone I look up to personally. I love him as a player on and off the field.
"It says a lot about him. He just leads by example the big fella."
Really? That's awesome. It means [stuff] all at the same time, but we've also got to enjoy that stat because it's a big effort from the lads.
- Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton
NRL ROUND 14
Thursday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm.