Bad boy winger to be given another chance as NRL ramps up for charge towards finals.
The NRL is expected to green light the return of Blake Ferguson to the Canberra Raiders side ahead of their clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons this weekend.
In what is a mouth-watering game with plenty of sub-plots apart from a battle for vital competition points, Ferguson will line up against his former teammate Josh Dugan.
The now infamous drinking incident between the pair was the catalyst for Dugan’s contract being torn up in Canberra and the fullback close to being de-registered from the NRL.
Ferguson himself was forced to deal with personal issues after the incident, however, he made as stunning return to the Raiders where his form on the flank saw him rewarded with a birth in the New South Wales Origin side.
However, his name was soon in the headlines again for all of the wrong reasons when he was charged for indecent assault on a woman in a Cronulla nightclub.
Canberra coach David Furner said Ferguson has used his latest bout of time away from the game in a productive manner as he tries to sort out his issues off the football field.
“Blake just has to put his head down and work hard now. He needs to make a commitment to the team,” Furner said.
“I spoke to Blake today and he wants to get back on the field but most of all he wants to play for his teammates.
“There are a couple of players who are unhappy he has put himself in this position but certainly the players want to play with him.
“None of the players have ever come to me and said they want him sacked.
“He is 22 years old and he just has to keep working on himself. Like I said, it’s up to him. He has this chance to change his life and he knows that.”
Ferguson’s assault charge is set to be back on court on September 3, just days before the finals round of the NRL regular season.
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