But after pleading guilty to a drunken assault he copped the suspended prison sentence, the fines and the NRL-imposed ban that ruled him out for the back end of last season, paying his penance and pledging to make amends on and off the field.

He came out the other side into career-best form amid a shift from fullback to five-eighth, and after a State of Origin debut this year too he's within reach of a fairy tale premiership win, which would be Canberra's first since 1994.

He's well-aware of how close he was to never having that chance though, and the 26-year-old Orange CYMS and Bloomfield junior knows how lucky he is the Canberra club stuck by him as he was put through the wringer.

Ahead of Sunday's decider showdown with the Roosters Wighton was quick to highlight one man who was particularly supporting, labelling head coach Ricky Stuart as the reason he has this opportunity.

"Ricky's been great, he stuck by me, I wouldn't be here talking to you guys if not," Wighton told Macquarie Sports Radio.

"He's been massive and he's still helping me improve every day ... it's just growing and growing and the help is always there.

"It's been a massive 12 months and this is definitely the better side of it. I'm much happier sitting here than doing what I was doing 12 months ago, that's for sure."

Such is Wighton's rich vein of form after Stuart shifted him back to five-eighth, it's not just a NSW call-up that's come for the 26-year-old.

While a spot in the Australian side looms as well, Wighton's been thrust into renewed comparisons with Canberra, NSW and Kangaroos legend Laurie Daley, who also started his career at centre before transforming into one of the game's great running five-eighths.

Those comparisons came early in Wighton's career too but after a failed stint in the halves they were somewhat snuffed out, before they've roared back to the fore as he's established himself as one of the competition's premier five-eighths this year.

Not that Wighton's buying into it, he hasn't all year, let alone ahead of the biggest game of his career.

"It's humbling hearing people say that but it's a big call," Wighton said.

"Laurie was ... and still is a legend of the game. I'm Jack Wighton, I just do me and don't really listen to it."

He went on to say that State of Origin berth has put him in good stead ahead of Sunday's decider at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, the experience of playing in front of sold-out crowds with everything on the line will serve him well.

"Come to think of it now, it is huge to have had that experience," he said, with hindsight on his side.

"Those first few games in Origin, the big crowds and the hype of it was pretty daunting but it will help me in this game.

"This is something you want to do your whole life, win a grand final and we're ready for it."

Sunday's grand final kicks off at 7.30pm, after the State Championship between Newtown and Burleigh and WNRL decider between Brisbane and St George.