Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton puts in 'Tackle of the Year' contender with monster hit

Canberra Raiders star Jack Wighton could soon be adding Tackle of the Year to his many accolades after he put a crunching hit on Storm winger Dean Ieremia.

Late in the first half of Canberra's clash with Melbourne, Wighton charged out of the defensive line to put a giant tackle on Ieremia, which immediately put the 19-year-old on his backside.

Nine's commentator Mat Thompson labelled the hit as an easy contender for the best tackle of the season.

"There's Tackle of the Year for you!" Thompson said in commentary for Nine.

"Jack Wighton on Dean Ieremia, mark it down."

While the tackle from the reigning Dally M medalist was one to marvel at, equally as impressive was the play that followed moments later.

The playmaker's big effort was followed up by a Storm knock-on, which rugby league immortal Andrew Johns believes was a result of Wighton's ability to inspire his teammates to lift.

"Look at the reaction of the Canberra players after the Jack Wight hit,"

"How he inspires his teammates. Whack!"

"The reaction, the next few players, they're flying. Look at the intensity.

"The way he inspired his teammates. What a great play."