Fallen rugby league star Blake Ferguson has found work as a labourer in a bid to show he is “worthy” of an NRL return, his cousin and mentor Anthony Mundine says.
Mundine believed a dose of the real world would help Ferguson overcome his latest controversy and return to the NRL a better player and person.
Mundine said he had enjoyed mentoring the former NSW Origin strike weapon since his Canberra sacking but admitted a successful NRL return would hinge on one person – Ferguson.
“When Blake is with me I know he is not going to step out of line,” Mundine told AAP on Saturday.
“But you can’t babysit him 24-7. He has to stand on his own two feet.
“But he is taking steps in the right direction.
“He wants to show he is worthy of making a comeback.”
Mundine believed Ferguson rolling up his sleeves at a Sydney work site was just what the wayward rugby league star needed.
“It will thicken his skin, toughen him up, going through this,” he said.
“He is still a young boy. He will learn from this. If anything after all is said and done he will come out stronger.”
Free agent Ferguson has been linked to Cronulla, the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters for next season.
But the NRL may stretch his exile into 2014 to punish him for off-field incidents and going AWOL at the Raiders during the final month of the regular season, leading to his August axing.
The former Canberra centre was charged with indecent assault at a Cronulla nightspot when he was supposed to be preparing to enter NSW State of Origin camp ahead of game two.
The matter is still before the courts.
Ferguson is also scheduled to face court on October 21 to answer various driving charges.
The NRL is expected to wait for the court cases’ outcome before making their next move on Ferguson.
Mundine said his cousin knew he had to “keep his head down” if he was to be rewarded with an NRL comeback.
“He is in a good mindset doing some labour work just to mentally get himself back together,” he said.
“He’s content right now to work hard, and keep his head down and bum up.”
GW
Roar Pro
My 24 yo daughter often says stuff like "I'll do the dishes later" or "I'll clean up later". Her dopey parents say "thanks". However, she NEVER does any house work. Dugan painted for a few hours and dug a hole, but he got in the papers for doing it as he was a reformed man. That he was on $600,000 at the time, not mentioned. Now we've got to go through the same rubbish with Fergo. Rugby League is a working man's game, so I can only imagine what real workers think of these idiots while they do very hard work, day in day out, for year after year, and for a fraction of what these bogans get. Do we need to see their disgraceful faces being highlighted in the papers as heroes or stars, when they are anything but?
GW
Roar Pro
Surely it's racism if he gets stood down for a while and if he doesn't make either the NSW or the Australian side. He has been victimised. Just ask Uncle.
Thomas Roberts
Guest
I suppose its a matter of attitude, if he's able to change his ways, great, if not - he's his own worst enemy, Sometimes being put on the end of a shovel opens ones eyes as to what life could be like without a sporting future and if he hasn't got a decent education. Only time will tell, seems a waste of great potential talent if he looses it.
Earl Park
Guest
Ferguson brought it on himself.,
mr dimsum
Guest
It was a competition. Barcardi burried a free case of breezers on a Sydney worksite and grog boy was digging himself another hole. Derigester the fool for 36 matches.
bangbang
Guest
Now that would be worth watching! Enough viewers oikee and u can get paid to talk all this stuff too. Please do it. I'll subscribe to your weekly rant! :D
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
So, he "rolled up his sleeves on a Sydney worksite" - that must have been hard. Did he put a photo of his rolled up sleeves on instagram?
up in the north
Guest
My my, what a feel good story that was, so inspirational. The kid has had enough second chances. Leave him in the wilderness forever is my opinion. Seriously, how much damage can one person get away with? And with cousin Anthony as spokesman for him shows just how messed up he must be.
soapit
Guest
please please get yourself a digital camera and a youtube account. oikee's weekly roundup would definitely be a massive hit
oikee
Guest
Yeah, two weeks on the end of a shovel, that will fix him. The Roosters have probably already got him signed onto the dotted line. Instead of watching Commisioners walk out the door to be replaced by new commisioners, why not buy a robotic spine, ? Yes a robotic spine, because we need something to hold this code up.
soapit
Guest
no ones listening to you anthony you brainless wind bag. why does the roar bother sticking this guys comments in as league news.