The NRL has agreed to register the contract of Blake Ferguson to play for the Sydney Roosters in 2015.
The troubled outside back has been out of rugby league since his contract was terminated in 2013 by Canberra.
The NRL’s head of integrity Nick Weeks on Saturday said Ferguson had completed a program of clinical support and counselling set down by the league as a condition of his return.
“Blake will be required to continue this support program on his return to the NRL,” Weeks said.
“His contract has been registered, subject to strict conditions relating to his conduct off the field.
“We wish him a successful return to the NRL.”
The Roosters are delighted with the news, signing Ferguson to an initial one-year deal.
Chief operating officer football Brian Canavan said: “Blake has genuinely applied himself and been totally compliant with all club directions.
“He has been out of the game for a long period of time and, together with the NRL, we have been working closely with Blake to provide him with all the necessary support to get him to this position as he re-establishes his NRL career,” added Canavan.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
1 year contract at the moment, so lets see how he goes.
Mushi
Guest
I worry about this. We got back to back minor premierships, do we need to introduce a D$#% head at a position like centre? We have a few "kind of" D#%^heads which is fine until you put a real one in which is the catalyst for them losing the kind of part of the tag. Next season might be fine alas carney but I think long term we run the risk of blowing up a slew of promising youngsters careers.
Mushi
Guest
Don't be so sensitive that your comment fell flat.
Mushi
Guest
TPAs haven't been capped for quite sometime. It just took about a decade for the journos to read the nrl website. I think the knights won a couple of premierships back then.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
My comment's were in regards to baldie stating the club has no morals, Coach Robinson has tried to instil a set of values for the players to live up to onfield as in not staying down ect, how has that comment have anything to do with Ferguson's of field behavior. To top if off on the field he's an immense talent and all clubs would have been looking at.
Martha
Guest
It was a comment on other Football players off field "adventures"" Don't be so thin skinned...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't understand what that comment means. Ferguson has been to court and his punishment handed down and presumably served. He hasn't been pardoned in any way. His rugby league punishment has lasted longer and cost him more than his legal sentence. I don't want to sound like I'm campaigning for ferguson. What he did was bad and wrong and he deserved his punishment. That's over now, gone but not forgotten hopefully.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's what I was wondering? Wow
Martha
Guest
And in related news Prime Minister Abbott announced yesterday that he's pardoning 12 convicted felons. Political experts say the move could have huge implications for your fantasy football teams.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Did you just compare milking penalties to sexual assault?
Luke M
Guest
No they just repeatedly give them away to stop other teams attacking them. Professional fouls they are called.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Ferguson has done his time. I don't exactly welcome him back to the NRL but he deserves another chance. He's spent 18 months out of the game which is a lot longer than some players that have done far worse. Any sort of misbehaviour that involves any degree of sexual harrassment and he should be gone.
Wallace
Guest
No worse than Cowboys letting a bloke who assaulted his pregnant girlfriend and even kicked her in the temple be part of their ranks.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
You leave jacksyd out of this. I said they struggle to buy good players and that tariq sims was a coup for them. I didn't say they don't ever buy good players ever. Also the jury will be out on tariq depending on if he can get over his multiple serious injuries, and fulfil his potential.
catcat
Guest
I give him 6 months before we are reading about him on the front page rather than the back page. Hugely talented, but not disciplined enough. It's blokes like him that are toxic to the culture of a team. I have no problems with the Roosters signing him - but caveat emptor!!
The eye
Guest
Yes I did..the 'they struggle to BUY good players'line poked my eye out and was the only thing I responded to...
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Did you read my comment? I said they have a good team at the moment. They were just derailed by drama and injuries this year. I don't think it was the coach. Any team would struggle after what they went through this year.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
They didn't have an excuse. They sucked.
Muzz
Guest
The courts decide who goes to jail, scott, not uncle Nick! What would you do with the so called "bad boys" of the game, lock them away forever? If so, then the rules should be the same for the average Joe that doesn't play the game.Break the law and you can never work and earn a living again.Forget living in an apartment, go find a park bench. Could you imagine what society would be like if we didn't try and rehabilitate the millions that break the law every year.
The eye
Guest
What do you mean struggle to buy good players ? Sims is a HUGE buy..who would you replace in the current expected 17 for next year ?Backrow exceptional,3/4's all big,fast,creative..Tyrones on a make or break year as is Clydesdale..looking forward to the young Dragon prop that's come up and young Carlos Tuimavave from the Warriors...underachieved for 3 years,previous coach let the team down..top 6 beckons in '15..