Blake fired up for Eels return
A THREE-game stint in the NSW Cup has rejuvenated and reinvigorated powerful Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson in time for the finals.
Ferguson, 31, will on Tuesday be named as the new Eels winger – replacing the injured Maika Sivo – for Parramatta’s charge into the NRL finals.
Ferguson said his shock stint in reserve grade “away from the cameras” helped him reclaim his hunger and desire for rugby league.
“It was a blessing in disguise to be honest,” Ferguson said.
“It was basically playing park footy. It was weird but I actually enjoyed playing down there. It was fun playing with all the young guys.
“There wasn’t as much pressure, it was different because I hadn’t played reserve grade for a very long time. For me to be in reserve grade, it was an eye opener.
“But it also made me realise how much I wanted to come back and play in the NRL. I was always optimistic when playing down there. I just had to work harder. They say the harder you work, the easier things come and now I’ve got my shot again.
Ferguson has played 13 finals matches for three clubs (Canberra two, Roosters eights, Parramatta three) and scored 122 tries in 245 NRL games.
“Leading into the finals, it would be good to bring some experience with Maika being out for a long period of time. It will just do my job. It’s been three weeks – I’ve done enough work. I got flogged today. I’d rather be playing than training hard seven days a week,” he said.
“The last week has been full-on and I’m looking forward to being out there this coming week. I’ve got to get through the next couple of training sessions – Wednesday and Friday – and then hopefully get a run.
“It was probably the right call from Brad to put me down and get me to work on a few things and I did that.
“I feel like I’ve been playing some decent footy this season. I needed to work on a couple of things defensively but I think I have fixed those deficiencies.
“I came back and my defence was good against Canberra and it would be good to do the same this weekend against Melbourne.”
The Storm will present another hectic change for a Parramatta side which snapped a four-game losing sequence last weekend with a 32-16 win over North Queensland
But the Storm don’t hold any fears for Parramatta, who defeated the Melburnians 16-12 back in round 2 at Bankwest Stadium.
“We know we can match it with the best of them. We played them earlier this year and we got ‘em. It should be good,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson comes off contract after this season, the Eels having already stated he will not be re-signed. “I don’t know what will happen. I will leave that to Sam (Ayoub, manager). He has been my manager for a long time and he has never let me down in that regard.”