The ultimate rugby league redemption story: How Dally M winner Jack Wighton turned his life around after a drunken rampage that threatened to destroy his career – and the partner that has stood by his side through it all
One-time NRL bad boy Jack Wighton was facing a possible stint behind bars two years ago.
The Canberra Raiders star's career was in jeopardy following a late night drunken rampage where he assaulted five men in three separate incidents and urinated in public while out celebrating his 25th birthday in the nation's capital in early 2018.
A heart to heart chat with coach Ricky Stuart with an option to make the switch from fullback to five-eighth later that year was finally the wake up call Wighton needed to get his act together and turn his rugby league career around.
Today, Wighton is the toast of the NRL after he won the Dally M Medal, rugby league's most prestigious award.
There was no one more prouder on Monday night than Wighton's long-time partner Monisha Lew-Fatt, who was watching back home with their two young daughters Ariah and Aaliyah in Canberra.
NRL star Jack Wighton celebrated his birthday this year with a dinner date with partner Monisha, a far cry from the drunken celebrations two years ago which almost landed him in jail
She has stood by her man over the years despite the off-field controversies and posted a moving tribute prior to the awards on Monday night.
'Even though you annoy the hell out of me sometimes and I annoy the hell out of you with my constant whining, you know I'll always have your back and love you,' she captioned a photo of them together at last year's Dally M ceremony.
'The girls and I appreciate you more than you will ever know!'
Wighton's rise to the NRL's top award comes after a tumultuous past few years which saw him temporarily suspended from the NRL.
In 2018 he pleaded guilty to six charges - five counts of assault and one charge of public urination following his wild night out in Canberra earlier that year.
Wighton poses with the coveted medal after winning the Dally M Player of the Year award on Monday night
Jack Wighton's 25th birthday celebrations spiralled out of control in February 2018
He punched, headbutted and shoved complete strangers in the unprovoked attacks, including a fan who was only trying to shake his hand.
Wighton was given a suspended two-month jail sentence, a $3,500 fine and banned for 10 matches by the NRL.
'I'd also like to take the opportunity to apologise to the victims of the incident for any pain I may have caused them and their families,' Wighton said at the time.
'There are no excuses for my behaviour. I want to let them know that I'm truly sorry for what happened that night.
'I wish it didn't happen. If I could take it back, I would. It was a big muck-up on my behalf.'
That's when the Raiders coach called Wighton into his office to asked where best fullback or the best five-eighth in the game.
After mulling it over, Wighton made the switch to the halves, a move that saw him make his debut for NSW and Australia in 2019.
He also won the Clive Churchill Medal awarded to the best player on ground in last year's grand final, despite being in a losing side.
Wighton's 27th birthday earlier this year was much more low key than the wild celebrations which spiralled out of control two years earlier.
'Everyday is not a given, so to make it another year around is a blessing,' he captioned a photo of his cosy dinner date with Monisha.
He has since thanked his coach for giving him the opportunities to turn his NRL career around.
'At first I had a lot of doubt and questioned myself,' Wighton told the Today Show on Tuesday morning.
'Thankfully Ricky showed his faith and stuck strong and guided me through the whole process and I am standing here today and I think my game will only keep growing.
NRL star Jack Wighton's partner Monisha (pictured together at the 2019 Dally M awards) was forced to watch his big moment from home this year
He also paid a heartfelt tribute to Monisha for standing by him over the years and during what's been a disrupted 2020 season due to COVID-19.
'She really looked after me through this whole tough process,' Wighton said.
'We have been locked inside and in the bubble. She's been very supportive, so I couldn't thank her enough.
He added she and their little girls mean everything to him.
'They're my world. They're the reason I do. And I love them to bits,' he said.
Canberra Raiders player Jack Wighton addresses the media in November 2018 following his sentencing hearing where he narrowly avoided jail
Jack Wighton's wife Monisha Lew-Fatt shares moving tribute to the NRL star as she celebrates his Dally M Medal win on the couch at home with their daughters
Canberra Raiders player Jack Wighton won the Dally M Medal on Monday night - and his partner, Monisha Lew-Fatt, watched the moment unfold on TV.
The 30-year-old shared two Instagram Stories, showing the footage on screen, as she curled up on the couch with the couple's two daughters, Ariah and Aaliyah.
One clip showed the announcement that NRL star Jack, 27, had won, and Monisha captioned it, 'My heart!'
Family: Canberra Raiders player Jack Wighton won the Dally M Medal on Monday night - and his partner, Monisha Lew-Fatt, watched the moment unfold on TV. Pictured with their daughters Ariah and Aaliyah
She then shared a short video, showing Jack in his footy uniform, and she cried out, 'Argghhh!' before turning the camera to film her older daughter Aaliyah.
'Are you proud of him?' she asked the little girl, who was tucked under a blanket, and nodded vigorously and smiled widely at her mum.
Monisha comically panned to the couple's younger daughter, Ariah, who was fast asleep on the couch next to her sister.
Home time: The 30-year-old shared two Instagram Stories on Monday evening, showing the footage on screen, as she curled up on the couch with the couple's two daughters
Winner! She then shared a short video, showing Jack in his footy uniform, and she cried out, 'Argghhh!' before turning the camera to film her older daughter Aaliyah
Aww! 'Are you proud of him?' she asked the little girl, who was tucked under a blanket, and nodded vigorously and smiled widely at her mum
Sweet: Monisha comically panned to the couple's younger daughter, Ariah, who was fast asleep on the couch next to her sister. 'Ariah is proud too,' Monisha added with a laugh
She added: 'Even though you annoy the hell out of me sometimes and I annoy the hell out of you with my constant whining, you know I'll always have your back and love you'
Family: 'The girls and I appreciate you more than you will ever know! Love you and good luck,' she concluded
'Ariah is proud too,' Monisha added with a laugh, filming the snoozing toddler, who was out cold.
Excited, the WAG then said, 'Yay! Go daddy!' while again pointing the camera at a beaming Aaliyah.
Monisha also shared a photo of the couple at last year's awards, captioning it: 'Good luck tonight bub at the 2020 Awards! The girls and I are so proud of you and all of your achievements.
'Even though you annoy the hell out of me sometimes and I annoy the hell out of you with my constant whining, you know I'll always have your back and love you.
'The girls and I appreciate you more than you will ever know! Love you and good luck,' she concluded.