Blake Ferguson’s rehabilitation from being a rugby league outcast has taken another forward step with the Sydney Roosters star awarded the Harry Sunderland Medal by his Australian teammates.
Ferguson received the award, given to the Kangaroos’ best player on tour, after the 34-8 win over New Zealand at Anfield to win the Four Nations on Monday morning (AEDT).
He opened the scoring after two minutes with his sixth try in five games for his country and has played every minute of a tournament where he was initially pencilled in to be a squad player by coach Mal Meninga.
A tour-ending injury to Josh Mansour opened the door for Ferguson to keep his spot in the team after the win over Scotland and he responded with a man-of-the-match performance against New Zealand at Coventry and subsequently gone from strength to strength.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for the 26-year-old, who has endured a chequered career due to several off-field incidents that saw him walk out on Canberra and hit with a one-year suspension by the NRL after being charged with indecent assault in 2014.
He returned to play for the Roosters after undergoing a rehabilitation plan formulated by the club and the NRL and his performances in England are almost certain to lead him back into the NSW side for next year’s State of Origin.
“I have to pay compliment to Blake,” said Cooper Cronk, who was named man of the series.
“The Australian Kangaroos know just how highly that medal is regarded and when you consider his past, and this is his first year of international football it’s a great achievement.
“He has been phenomenal out of the back field and congratulations to him it’s so well deserved.”
Squidward
Roar Rookie
To be fair he was terrible for Roosters all season and not much chop for NSW. But had a great UK tour
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa to all the 'Ferguson knockers' (which there are quite a few on here) Blake has been an outstanding players for the Roosters, NSW SOO and the kangaroos, he has been criticised unfairly and not many players could play as well as he has done while all this has gone on. His performance in the 4 nations has been outstanding and he deserves all the accolades that he gets, good onya Blake.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
It is the players voting for this and I trust em.. Agree with Squidy but well played Fergs.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Can't stand the bloke. But I'll stand up and say he was fantastic when I didn't think he should've even been on the plane
Alex L
Roar Rookie
For all the criticism of him, he played well -- better still without Dugan about I thought.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Absolutley killed them this tournament and evolved to a level which his coaches always new had it in him . Like most others, I doubted Fergusons's abilities but his play and positioning was straight out of the top draw. By setting this standard for himself he can go onto achieve great things for the Roosters and NSW.
Renegade
Roar Guru
He had a great tournament so credit where it's due.... A whole raft of players could've taken this award, definitely a difficult choice.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Ha ha - He was just trying to get away from the drug culture.
Chook
Guest
I know what your saying Agent, but give him his due, he has made every post a winner. He showed his worth in Origin 1 in 2014. A game I rate as one of the best I have ever seen
Spongebob
Guest
I would have scored 80% of those. He did well however very little pressure was applied, 3 out of 4 games were a trashing.
up up cronulla
Guest
Huh the same bloke who left sharks to win a premiership lol
B-Unit
Guest
I don't like him but he had a great tournament. His efforts to keep the ball in while he was being forced over the sideline this morning were quite impressive. That almost never works...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Perhaps but he played pretty well this tournament. Fortunately the future is ahead.
Agent11
Guest
How was he even selected in the first place? it was a joke that he played Origin this year