Ferguson uncertain over NRL future
True Blue Blake Ferguson could be lining up for his last NRL game when the Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers in Saturday night’s Semi-final at Mackay with the blockbusting winger still undecided on his future for next season.
Ferguson has been in good touch for the Eels lately after scoring four tries in their past three games but he remains uncontracted for next year and has been linked to a code switch to Japanese rugby union club, NEC Green Rockets.
There is also interest in ‘Fergo’ from European rugby, plus talk of perhaps a shift to Super League for the 31-year-old, while a last hurrah with another NRL club isn’t out of the picture.
“To be honest I haven’t really looked at it too closely,” Ferguson told Triple M. “My manager Sam Ayoub does a pretty good job of that.
“But I’m at that point in my career where I’m looking for another opportunity, but I haven’t made a decision as of yet.
“Rugby is something I do want to try, I played a bit in school. Hopefully I can again one day so we’ll see what happens.
“I don’t think I could achieve too much more in the NRL so it would be good to try and switch codes and create something in that arena.”
Ferguson played seven Tests for Australia, nine games for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues including the 2019 Origin series win and claimed a premiership with the Sydney Roosters in 2018.
He has scored 126 tries from 248 games across four clubs – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Canberra Raiders, the Roosters and the Eels – and would still be a handy acquisition for a NRL club looking to turn its fortunes around.
There are possibly three more games to play in 2021 to tip him over the 250-milestone starting with Saturday’s semi-final but first he must pass fitness tests on his right knee that got twisted in a tackle by Knights forward Sauaso Sue, who received a two-match ban for the effort.
“It’s a bit tender there at the moment... and unlucky that it happened,” Ferguson said.
“Hopefully I’ll be right – see what happens – I’m doing everything possible to be out there on the field, what could well be my last season in the NRL.”
Ferguson was named on Tuesday by coach Brad Arthur for the Panthers elimination semi and Eels fans will be hoping for a little more right-edge magic between him and centre Will Penisini.
The 19-year-old Eels back has two tries from four NRL games after his five from 13 matches in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this year. His flick pass to Ferguson in the 38th minute of last Sunday’s 28-20 win over the Knights was sublime.