Canberra Raider Jack Wighton emerges as an Indigenous leader

It's also a sign the Raiders five-eighth is emerging as an Indigenous leader after he was "filthy" there was no consultation with the playing group over the design of the Green Machine's Indigenous jersey.

Wighton caught the Raiders off guard with his comments on the jersey they'll wear for the clash against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday.

Raiders prop Josh Papalii took to social media to back up his teammate with the simple "100" emoji to represent 100 per cent agreement.

Wighton not only questioned why there wasn't any consultation with the playing group, but also why the design didn't appear on the front of the jersey as well.

It was only on the sleeves and down the side underneath the arms.

Wighton didn't have a problem with Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church's design - which depicted the fact the ACT was the only place in Australia to have a public holiday for Reconciliation day.

Fanning's the only Indigenous board member of an NRL club and loved the design.

She's also the ACT Australian of the Year due to her campaigning for Indigenous rights and also her trailblazing as a female rugby league player.

Fanning spent Thursday on Parliament Hill for the launch of the national agreement on closing the gap.

"The game's come a long way that people are allowed to do that [voice their opinion]," she said.

"It's important he feels like he can voice that when he has an issue with it and that we'll listen to it.

"That's OK. And that's not a different threshold that we'd have for anyone else.

"I'm sure we'll talk with Jack and what voice he wants to have through the Raiders on Indigenous matters we'll create those pathways for him."

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Indigenous ex-Raider Mark Bell agreed there should've been consultation in designing the jersey.

He also felt the fact the 27-year-old felt comfortable in voicing his opinion showed he was becoming a leader in the Indigenous community.

Previously when asked about matters like racism and other Indigenous issues, Wighton's been quick to say he's only there to talk football.

"One hundred per cent. I congratulate him for actually taking a stance and speaking out about it and not holding it in," Bell said.

"He's allowed to voice his opinion. People within the club shouldn't think anything less of him."

Wighton caused the fuss with his comments to the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about the jersey on Wednesday.

He bemoaned the fact teams like South Sydney had input from their Indigenous players, with the Rabbitohs' jersey boasting the hand prints of all eight of the Indigenous players in their senior squad.

The Clive Churchill Medallist felt the club had been a bit "lazy" this year.

"They've got the best stories and put a bit of effort in. I just feel like we ticked a box this year," Wighton said.

"It's terrible. I'm filthy. It's the one round to share culture, you know what I mean, to get our artwork and stories out there, and I feel like we've put a pretty poor effort in, if I'm to be honest."

NRL ROUND 12

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys at Townsville, 5.30pm.

Raiders team list: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Hudson Young. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joe Tapine, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Harley Smith-Shields, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Matt Frawley.

Cowboys team list: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O'Neill, 4. Connelly Lemuelu, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Shane Wright, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo (c). Interchange: 14. Mitch Dunn, 15. Tom Gilbert,16. Gavin Cooper, 17. Francis Molo. Reserves: 18. John Asiata, 19. Ben Hampton, 20. Esan Marsters, 21. Jake Granville.