Blake Ferguson made all the right noises when it was announced the NRL had agreed to register his contract with the Sydney Roosters for next season, but what he says doesn’t really matter. It’s what he does that will count.
Plenty of players learn from their mistakes when it comes to off-field incidents. They realise they’ve got a valuable career to protect and change their ways.
Then there are the others who always seem to have another incident left in them.
Ferguson spent an entire season out of the game after he was found guilty of the indecent assault of a woman at a nightclub and deregistered by the NRL. That’s a big chunk out of a professional footballer’s time on the field, but the punishment had to be severe.
“I’ve worked very hard to become a better person and to change what people think of me,” Ferguson posted on social media.
He said he’d had “ups and downs, relapsing and falling into bad habits” and that he “took for granted what I had and what talent I was given”.
Ferguson thanked his partner and the Roosters for supporting him and added that “now I’ve been given a second chance to make something of my life again” he would “continue to work on myself as a person and repay the faith the Roosters have shown me”.
He would have rocks in his head if he was thinking any other way, but, as I said earlier, the proof is in the pudding with these things.
One thing is for sure. Ferguson is a genius player. The fact he was able to be so good on the field in the past despite being a loose cannon off it tells me that if he really has his life on track he will quickly rise to be among the 10 best players in the game, with the potential to press for the top five.
Should he have been barred from the game for longer? Maybe even for good? No, I think it’s fair enough to let him back into the NRL now. One of the great things about the game of rugby league is that it is always prepared to forgive and provide second chances.
But surely Ferguson realises that if he falls off the rails big-time again his career really is severely threatened. Ferguson was, of course, last seen in Canberra colours. He let that club down badly towards the end of the 2013 season.
Ever since the push for Ferguson to revive his NRL career began it was clear the Roosters had the inside running to sign him. As far back as last May the NRL allowed the Roosters to employ him in what was described as a community-based role.
It was reported at the time that the NRL was satisfied Ferguson was only on a small salary and that it wasn’t enough to give the club a prior advantage if the time came to offer him an actual playing contract.
Ferguson can play for any club he likes, if that club wants him. The Roosters obviously wanted him pretty bad and came up with a plan that gave the club the front running if he was cleared to play again. They wanted him and they got him. Good luck to them.
Part of the nature of a top-flight coach is that he believes he can turn a wayward player around. Roosters coach Trent Robinson is obviously backing himself and his club to do that with Ferguson.
But while the possibility of being successful in that endeavour is always there, it also always remains possible that coaches and club officials can use as many safe-guards as possible and still not succeed, through no fault of their own.
In the end, it’s really up to Ferguson whether he wants to make his career as brilliant and spectacular as it still can be.
fiver
Guest
At his best I think he is potentially the most destructive centre in the game. His final game for the Raiders, which ironically was against the Roosters I think was nearly a 10/10. He almost won them that game single handedly.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
With ferguson coming back after an 18 month layoff from the NRL for criminal sexual assault, what penalty should Jacob Loko expect, considering he is a low key player?
Justthetip
Guest
So you think having your team based in the easily most profitable business district in the country doesn't allow them to have advantages? I'm not against them using any means to pay players just be realistic that some clubs are better at not declaring part of a players income.
Muzz
Guest
No pressure, mate.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Well, it's funny you ask, Muzz. For about 6 months now I've been thinking about penning an article around this idea, but just haven't had the time or the energy to do it, writing for a living means the last thing you want to do when you get home is write some more. So I might revisit it now that I've recovered a bit from the year. And, possibly to varying degrees, I think you might like some aspects of the side I've chosen. Leave it with me.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Superstar I agree mate and I am sure things will change but as at Xmas he is the #1.
Superstar superhuman
Guest
How can you possibly say dugan's name is inked in for the vacant nsw no. 1 jumper? It's December for crying out loud! He's probably the front runner at this stage yes, but the discussion regarding the blues fullback should wait till there's some footy actually happening.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
No it's called running a team's finances well as well as not paying overs for players and not having football players running the club. It's a buisness and needs to be run as such.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
William, You are correct mate. Some people just wanna believe what they want to and nothing will ever change that.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure there were also several interviews with smith where he said he'd all but signed the contract before he went on the 6 week break.
Muzz
Guest
Eye - There are a number of halves coming off contract at the end of 2015.If the Sharks can table a big enough offer to the likes of A Reynolds or Maloney, they could be tempted as their current clubs may not be able to compete. Langi played right centre during the Roosters vs Tigers round 23 - 2013 clash. Roosters won by 50 odd but he still struggled and was skinned a number of times.Manly Ferry type turning circle.Better suited defending closer to the middle and using his size and ballplaying on the edges in attack.The footage could be on You Tube if your interested. Brian Smith was a big fan and may have pushed to bring him over from the Bulldogs.
The eye
Guest
@Muzz well if he's a backrower,I'm stunned the sharks are sniffing around..hoping that Bird and Beale will eventually make their way into the centres,Valentine and Feki,Barbas going to have to do all the kicking and he's only got those little dribbles into the corner for his winger....Lewie,Heighington Tagatese and a couple 100k to Manly for Cherry...would Tooves think about it ?
Muzz
Guest
Yeh true. I think Maloney signed on for $500K. I still watch the Roosters 2013 games and get blown away by Maloney's form. Of all the Roosters players, he suffered the biggest premiership hangover imo. He's on record saying that he's playing for a new contract so let's see how he goes. I'd like to see the Sharks win a premiership to be honest.
Dallas
Guest
I think hes on 5 mill over 4 years. You have to remember the cap has gone up from 4.5 to 6 mil so you pretty much have to add 25% to what was worth a year or two ago.
Muzz
Guest
How much is JT on? I love Maloney but i estimate his value to be around the $500 to $600K a year based on 2014 form/missing SOO. Widdop is apparently on $550K Jennings is on $500K and the Panthers are paying part of that. I think paying centres any more than $350 to $400K directly from your cap takes valuable $ away from other positions ie - spine and forwards.
Muzz
Guest
I think the Sharks are also thinking along the same lines imo
Dallas
Guest
I would think ATM maloney would be worth around 800k on the open market. Im basing this on thurstons salary and the talk around foran and DCEs value. I think SKD would be worth atleast 400-450k, good centres are hard to find. And i think lewis would be worth around 400-500k, im not sure what hes on at cronulla but i dont think that scenario is really relevant. But i think they are obviously lacking a quality half and a good centre so either of them would be more valuable to them than lewis just because they have so many back rowers. He would be the last back rower id get rid of though
Muzz
Guest
Would you take SKD and Maloney approximately $800 to $900K a year for both or Luke Lewis?
baldie
Guest
Dallas
Guest
Yea i suppose so but they had 10 or 12 of there best 17 out for most of the season so they may aswell axe the lot of them. If they are gonna try and use barba as a 5/8th it would be in there best interest to have two ball playing back rowers on each edge - graham on the left and lewis on the right.