Former Leigh, Australia star confident he could ‘still be up there as top five winger’ in NRL
Blake Ferguson scores a try for Leigh during the 2022 1895 Cup Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Featherstone. Photo by PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo.
Former Leigh star and 2018 Dally M Winger of the Year Blake Ferguson believes he would still be in the top five players in his position in the NRL.
Ferguson, now 33, left the rebranded-Leopards ahead of Super League’s kick-off to return to Australia after winning promotion from the Championship.
The seven-time capped Australia international joined Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters, a country club based in New South Wales, upon his exit from newly-promoted Leigh.
A New South Wales representative during his career, Ferguson claims he could still do a job in the NRL, despite not playing in the competition since 2021.
Ferguson left Parramatta Eels to take an opportunity in rugby union in Japan, only to be arrested before making his debut on drug and assault charges – spending 29 days behind bars.
He returned to his beloved code under Adrian Lam in England, joining Leigh in April 2022 and later signing a contract extension until the end of 2024, only to be granted a release from his deal.
Blake Ferguson makes bold claim in NRL
He wrote on Twitter: “I honestly believe I could still be up there as a top five winger in the NRL after what I have seen this season.”
The statement caused a stir in the replies on social media, although former NRL prop forward and dual-international with Tonga and Australia Willie Mason shared his admiration for his fellow NSW representative.
He replied: “Definitely still belong in the NRL!
“Get yourself on a roster and go after it.”
Current Leigh Leopards star and current Super League top try-scorer Josh Charnley was also among those in the reply section, while some fans listed their favourite wingers over the ex-Sydney Roosters winger, including Xavier Coates, Brian To’o and Selwyn Cobbo.
Ferguson made 292 appearances in the NRL competition, having made his debut in 2009 with Cronulla Sharks.
He later featured for Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters, before joining the Eels in 2019.
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