REPORT: According to Rabbitohs’ Wighton, coach Jason Demetriou received “undeserved” criticism.

In addition to launching a forceful defense against “undeserved” criticism of South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou, Jack Wighton has disclosed that he stopped using social media as a result of the club’s scrutiny.

Wighton scored two goals in his first game as a member of the Rabbitohs against Canterbury on Good Friday, helping the team win for the first time this season.

The Souths center acknowledged that his first-up performance against the Roosters, a week earlier, in which the Rabbitohs were defeated 48–6, had left him feeling “embarrassed”.

The Rabbitohs had a 0-3 start following their surrender at the end of the previous season, and the defeat increased the pressure on coach Demetriou, who was already under fire.

However, Wighton maintained that the pressure was mostly unjust.

“I’m sorry for him. He’s a fantastic guy and a great coach; I’ve only lately come here,” Wighton remarked.

“What he’s grabbing holds no merit. Thus, it is very important for us to win, but it is also very important for him.

“Effort was not lacking in any way. I believe that anyone who claims there was insufficient effort was simply incorrect.

“We lost because there was a lot of effort, but it wasn’t coordinated effort in those little places.

“We have a fantastic team that has experienced some combat, so winning by two points is just fantastic.”

For Wighton, the Rabbitohs’ downturn has been a difficult introduction to life in the Sydney spotlight.

The former Canberra Dally M champion acknowledged that the attention the club has received over the previous month—regularly garnering front-page headlines—had surprised him.

Wighton remarked, “I guess I see what it means to be at a big club like Souths now.”

I removed Instagram from my phone earlier this week, so I have no idea what’s going on.

“You have to surround yourself with good people and thoughts, and since I wasn’t in a positive place this week, I just did that.

“While Canberra has a rich and illustrious past, Souths is the NRL’s oldest team, founded in the heart of Sydney.

“So, that kind of pressure to perform comes with the job.”

With Wighton’s double, Souths were able to see what their potent left edge could achieve this year.

For the first time this season, winger Alex Johnston also found free space, although a late-season hamstring issue raises questions.

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