Blake Ferguson is back playing in the NRL and the new Rooster can’t stop crowing about it – at least on the field.
Sacked in 2013 by the Canberra Raiders after being charged with indecent assault and going AWOL, deregistered by the NRL and only readmitted with conditional clauses, it was a long 20-month absence for the gifted back.
Ferguson made his NRL return in the Sydney Roosters’ thumping 28-4 win over North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night.
After the game, he politely declined to talk to waiting media. But on the field, his excitement meant he never stopped chirping.
“He wouldn’t stop yelling at me the whole game,” new Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce said with a laugh.
“I think I told him to shut up.
“We love Fergo, he’s a great guy and it’s good to see him back in the NRL.
“The boys love being around him, he’s an infectious sort of personality.”
Coach Trent Robinson admitted keeping an eye on his star recruit in the week leading up the round one clash, looking for any doubt, any nerves, any sign that the occasion could be getting to him. He found none.
“He was probably a bit calmer than what he has been in the last couple few weeks,” Robinson.
“You watch and you look for a change, but he was the same.
“Keen, eager to go.
“It was a good start for Blake getting back in there.
“And I’m sure he will enjoy week on week footy. Getting back into the rhythm.”
Two-try hero Boyd Cordner said that Ferguson had approached his NRL resurrection with respect, although his confidence had not been tempered by his enforced lay-off from the game.
“He’s been really good ever since he first started at the club,” said Cordner.
“He’s been really respectful and the boys took a liking to him.
“He’s done it the right way. “He’s fitted in really nicely.
“Ever since he’s strapped on the boots and started training with us, we knew we had something special in him.
“We know he’s got that edge to him, he’s that sort of player that can do some things that not many other players can do.
“He adds that to our side now which is good for us.
“Just being around him at training he bring a lot of energy and he doesn’t lack confidence which is a good thing.”
