Blake Ferguson

Blake Ferguson
Personal information
Born (1990-03-20) 20 March 1990
Wellington, New South Wales, Australia
Height 191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 101 kg (15 st 13 lb)
Playing information
Position Centre, Wing, Fullback

Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009–10 Cronulla Sharks 42 16 0 0 64
2011–13 Canberra Raiders 60 36 14 0 172
2015–18 Sydney Roosters 91 51 8 0 220
2019– Parramatta Eels 0 0 0 0 0
Total 193 103 22 0 456
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010–13 Indigenous AllStars 2 0 0 0 0
2010–16 Prime Minister's XIII 3 4 0 0 16
2012 Country NSW 1 2 0 0 8
2013–17 New South Wales 7 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Australia 7 6 0 0 24
As of 7 October 2018
Source: [1]

Blake Ferguson (born 20 March 1990) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters (with whom he won the 2018 NRL Premiership). He has also played for the Indigenous All Stars and Country NSW, and is also an amateur boxer.

Background

Ferguson was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 20 March 1990. A nephew of Solomon Haumono[2] and a cousin of Anthony Mundine,[3] he is eligible for the Indigenous All Stars.[4] He played his junior rugby league at Wellington Cowboys.

Career

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Ferguson was the 2009 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season's top try scorer. He was just beaten by Jamal Idris as the rookie of the year at the 2009 Dally M Awards.[5] In 2010, he was called up to play for the Indigenous All-Stars, replacing the injured Justin Hodges.[6] In that match he famously ran down Israel Folau.[5] Ferguson was previously managed by his uncle Solomon Haumono is now managed by Sam Ayoub.[5][7] Following a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the Sharks if coach Ricky Stuart left, Ferguson also left the club at the end of 2010.[5]

Canberra Raiders

Ferguson signed a 2-year deal to play with the Canberra Raiders starting from 2011.[8] He was the Raiders top try-scorer for the season. In 2012, Ferguson had one of his best seasons on the field, representing the Country New South Wales rugby league team and making the Australia national rugby league team train-on squad.[9]

In 2013, Ferguson made his debut for the New South Wales rugby league team in Game I of the 2013 State of Origin series.[10] He had previously been approached by Queensland rugby league team coach Mal Meninga to play for Queensland.[11] Following his debut Origin game Ferguson's league career took a highly publicized downward spiral following an indecent assault charge.[12] Ferguson finished the 2013 Canberra Raiders season as the club's top try scorer.

Ferguson made his professional boxing debut on 27 November 2013 in a fight against Luke Turner.[13]

Sydney Roosters

In May 2014, Ferguson signed with the Sydney Roosters, who beat out South Sydney Rabbitohs for his services.[14] However due to Ferguson's guilty verdict in his 2013 indecent assault charge, the NRL in late June 2014 rejected an application for him to join the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of the 2014 NRL season, meaning he had to wait until the 2015 season to play for his new club.[15] As part of his rehabilitation, Ferguson completed a rugby league refereeing course.[16] He was widely seen as the man to replace Sonny Bill Williams, who departed after the 2014 season.[17]

For the 2015 NRL season Ferguson's healthy form led to Wendell Sailor considering him "the second best buy of the season".[18] Following the departure of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck from the Roosters, after 2015, Ferguson was anointed as the player to replace him at fullback for the 2016 season.[19][20] However, after just one game at fullback, he was moved back to the centres.[21]

Ferguson representing Australia in 2016

On 6 May 2016, Ferguson made his international debut for Australia against New Zealand in the 2016 Anzac Test,[22] scoring a try on debut.[23]

Ferguson was part of The Eastern Suburbs team that qualified for the finals in 2017. In the qualifying final, Ferguson almost cost his side the game when he chose to bat the ball back into play when it was heading to the sideline enabling Brisbane winger Corey Oates to score a try and put Brisbane in front with minutes to play. Easts went on to win the game in the dying minutes thanks to a Latrell Mitchell try. In the preliminary final against North Queensland, Ferguson scored a try off a knock on from North Queensland player Justin O'Neill to make the score 16-12 with less than 15 minutes to play in the match and with Eastern Suburbs in control. In the next play from the restart Ferguson lost the ball after being hit in a good tackle by O'Neill, who had lost the ball moments earlier. In the following play North Queensland scored courtesy of Kyle Feldt and Easts never recovered losing the match 29-16 in a huge upset.[24][25][26]

In the 2018 NRL season, Ferguson was not selected for the 2018 State of Origin series with coach Brad Fittler opting to select wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Tom Trbojevic instead. Fittler had publicly stated to the media before the team selection that NSW needed to change it's "Selfish Culture". Despite Ferguson's strong 2018 form the 28-year-old’s non-selection was no great shock given the players infamous afternoon at a pub with Josh Dugan five days out from the 2017 series decider.[27][28]

On 4 July 2018, Ferguson signed a three year contract to join Parramatta beginning in 2019. Ferguson rejected a similar offer by Newcastle and wanted a new contract with Eastern Suburbs but the club was only prepared to offer him a one year deal.[29]

In round 25 of the 2018 season, Ferguson scored his 100th try against his future club from 2019 onwards, the Parramatta Eels. His final game for the Roosters was the 2018 NRL Grand Final, in which it was revealed that he had played the second half with a broken leg.[30]

Controversy

Blake has been disciplined for several incidents of off-field behaviour. At a music festival in November 2012 he was escorted by security staff out of a VIP area after reports that he had been spitting on patrons. The Raiders refused to answer specific questions about the incident but stated that "We are aware of the incident and Blake has been disciplined internally."

On 17 June 2013, Ferguson was apprehended and charged by police for an alleged Indecent Assault at the Sutherland Shire nightclub 2230.[31][32] On 6 September 2013 the Canberra Raiders sacked Ferguson.[33] He converted to Islam on 8 November 2013 after taking his shahada with cousin Anthony Mundine, who has been a Muslim for many years.[34] On 11 December 2013, Ferguson was found guilty of June's indecent assault charge. Ferguson had pleaded not guilty arguing that he had mistaken the woman for 'another blonde woman' he had met earlier that evening at a different venue, 'Northies' but Ferguson was found guilty and was suspended from football for more than 2 years.[35]

In December 2017 it was revealed that Ferguson had admitted himself into a rehabilitation centre to overcome a gambling addiction.[36][37]

References

  1. ↑ "Blake Ferguson - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. 1990-03-20. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  2. ↑ "Cronulla winger Blake Ferguson scores try of the season". Heraldsun.com.au. 2009-06-23. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  3. ↑ "Mundine, Raiders in Ferguson's corner". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ↑ "Official Site of the NRMA Insurance Broncos | BRONCOS 2012 SEASON MEMBERSHIP ON SALE NOW!". Broncos.com.au. 7 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Jamie Pandaram (3 July 2010). "Ferguson following Stuart out of Sharks". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Ferguson called up for Indigenous All Stars". Dailytelegraph.com.au. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  7. ↑ Josh Massoud (24 September 2013). "Sydney Roosters chat to exiled NRL star Blake Ferguson after chance encounter at Allianz Stadium". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  8. ↑ James Hooper (27 August 2010). "Blake Ferguson signs two-year deal with Canberra Raiders". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  9. ↑ Chris Wilson (5 December 2012). "Raiders punish 'spitting' Ferguson". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  10. ↑ NICK WALSHAW (6 June 2013). "Canberra flyer Blake Ferguson impressive in Origin debut". THE DAILY TELEGRAPH. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  11. ↑ TYSON OTTO (28 May 2013). "NSW State of Origin debutant Blake Ferguson reveals Queensland coach Mal Meninga approached him to play for Maroons". THE DAILY TELEGRAPH. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "NSW State of Origin winger Blake Ferguson formally charged with indecent assault". ABC. 18 Jun 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Blake Ferguson". BoxRec. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Adrian Proszenko (21 May 2014). "Blake Ferguson signs with Sydney Roosters but NRL won't allow return until 2015". Fairfax Media. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "Blake Ferguson's application to play for Sydney Roosters rejected by NRL". ABC. 30 Jun 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  16. ↑ Ben Horne (8 July 2014). "Ferguson completes referees course". AAP. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  17. ↑ DAVID RICCIO. "Danny Wicks will play his first game for an NRL club in five years on Friday night". THE DAILY TELEGRAPH. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Wendell Sailor (24 July 2015). "Wendell Sailor sorts out the contenders and pretenders". news.com.au. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  19. ↑ Phil Rothfield (6 February 2016). "Former NRL bad boy Blake Ferguson snubbed Roosters bonding session to stay home with his family". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  20. ↑ PAUL CRAWLEY (12 November 2015). "Blake Ferguson to replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as Roosters fullback". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  22. ↑ "UPDATED: Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 2016-02-28. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  23. ↑ "Australia beat New Zealand 16-0 in scrappy Test". Tenplay.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  24. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-shock-roosters-2916-to-set-up-nrl-grand-final-clash-with-storm/news-story/74a3b46f0143e36f4942021edbf5a817
  25. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/sep/23/sydney-roosters-v-north-queensland-cowboys-nrl-preliminary-final-live
  26. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/latrell-mitchells-late-try-spares-blake-fergusons-blushes-as-sydney-roosters-stun-brisbane-broncos-20170908-gydmkv.html
  27. ↑ http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/blake-ferguson-pretty-disappointed-with-nsw-blues-coach-brad-fittler-over-origin-snub/1bhmqlabx5pl6152qcjlghy628
  28. ↑ https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/06/just-seven-names-remain-from-brad-fittlers-round-one-nsw-blues-line-up/
  29. ↑ https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/04/parramatta-eels-beat-rivals-to-sign-blake-ferguson-for-2019/
  30. ↑ Byrnes, Hayley (1 October 2018). "Ferguson played grand final with broken leg". NRL.com. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  31. ↑ Chris Wilson (2012-12-05). "Raiders punish 'spitting' Ferguson". Canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  32. ↑ "Ferguson's NRL career hangs in the balance". Wwos.ninemsn.com.au. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  33. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald 06/09/2013. Retrieved 2013-09-06
  34. ↑ Glenn Jackson (9 November 2013). "Blake Ferguson turns to Islam en route to redemption". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  36. ↑ https://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/12/05/06/43/nrl-sydney-roosters-star-blake-ferguson-treated-for-gambling-addiction-the-mole
  37. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5146557/Troubled-footy-star-Blake-Ferguson-gambling-addiction.html
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