The last time Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson were on the drink together, it ended with the fullback being sacked by Canberra.
Less than three months on and winger Ferguson is in danger of losing his spot in the NSW side and following his close friend out the Raiders’ exit door.
The 23-year-old is being investigated by police following an alleged incident at a bar in Sydney’s south on Sunday night, just hours after he and Dugan were named in the team for State of Origin game two.
Dugan is not believed to have been involved but police are examining CCTV footage from the 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla Mall following a complaint about Ferguson from a patron.
The alleged incident overshadowed the first day of camp in Coogee for Laurie Daley’s side who are looking to claim a first series win since 2005 with victory over Queensland in Brisbane on June 26.
The team’s main media session for the week was put back by almost two hours on Monday with Daley reading from a prepared statement to confirm police were investigating the situation.
“We have been made aware of an allegation and have been in contact with the NRL’s integrity unit,” Daley said.
“We will continue to cooperate with the police investigation.
“Josh Dugan was with Blake at the time, but there has been no allegations made against him and we will update you as the matter continues.”
Should Ferguson be charged, Daley would have little option but to stand him down as he did with prop James Tamou, who last week was charged with high-range drink-driving.
Ferguson could also find himself without a NRL club having been told by Canberra this year that any further off-field incidents would result in his contract being torn up.
It’s the latest incident in a chequered career for the so-called booze brothers.
The highly talented Dugan was axed by the Raiders after he and Ferguson missed a recovery session to go drinking on his rooftop in the wake of a heavy defeat to Penrith in round one.
Ferguson was given a final warning, fined $10,000, suspended for one game and ordered to undergo counselling.
Since the pair went their separate ways, it has coincided in an upturn in form with Ferguson impressing on his Origin debut.
Dugan has done likewise with a struggling St George Illawarra side to return to the Origin arena for the first time since game one in 2011 after Jarryd Hayne failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
Blues players did their best to play down any claims of disruption with back-rower Ryan Hoffman denying it would affect the build-up to Wednesday week’s game.
“We don’t know anything about it and the attention and speculation is something we can’t control,” Hoffman told AAP.
“But preparations for the game will be as normal and I am sure the team management will keep us informed as to what is going on.
“But all of our focus is on the game.”
The alleged incident echoes the build-up to game one that Queensland experienced with Ben Te’o accused of assaulting a woman where Broncos fullback Corey Norman and Maroons teammate Darius Boyd were also present.
South Sydney forward Te’o has not been charged by police but the lead-up to the series opener was dominated by a complaint by the alleged victim.
The Blues cancelled training on Monday with several players nursing niggling problems from the weekend matches.
But a training camp with school children in Sydney did take place although Dugan and Ferguson were excused from the event.
