General Blake Ferguson Sacked By Raiders

[Miket12]

Blake Ferguson sacked by Raiders
Date
September 6, 2013 - 1:11PM

Jon Tuxworth



Blake Ferguson turned up at Anthony Mundine's training session on September 4. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Wayward centre Blake Ferguson has been sacked by the Canberra Raiders after failing to front a board meeting on Friday morning to explain his erratic behaviour.

The board met for an hour-and-a-half at Canberra Stadium, where they decided to terminate Ferguson's contract.

The former NSW Blues winger signed a two year, $1million deal in May, but the Raiders had little choice to sack him after he didn't front for today's compulsory meeting.

Ferguson hasn't been sighted at the Raiders for three weeks, and has spent most of that time in Sydney with mentor Anthony Mundine.

Ferguson is the second high profile star the Raiders have sacked this year after giving Josh Dugan his marching orders early this season.

The 23-year-old could have activated an exit clause in his contract in November, after head coach David Furner was sacked last month.

But it is understood Canberra's board have terminated his deal anyway.

Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner will address the media at 2pm today to outline the reasons behind the club's stance.

It is understood Ferguson will embark on an overseas holiday to clear his head before planning his next move.

It ends a controversial three seasons at the Raiders for Ferguson.

Last season he and Dugan were issued a one-match internal suspension for breaking the club's alcohol policy.

Dugan was axed after just one match this year when he and Ferguson skipped a training run for their infamous rooftop drinking session.

He is due in a Sydney court again on Tuesday to answer indecent assault charges after he pled not guilty this week.

Ferguson received little sympathy from retiring Raiders teammate Shaun Berrigan, who told media this morning it was a step the club needed to take.

"To be honest it's the best thing for the club. Blake's been nothing but drama this year,'' he said.

The saga continues one of the most tumultuous years in Raiders history.

On top of sacking Ferguson, Dugan and, the club has been engulfed by ASADA's investigation of winger Sandor Earl.

The continued distractions have also affected Canberra's on-field performances, with the Raiders to miss the finals.



Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league...-by-raiders-20130906-2t97v.html#ixzz2e4zT5IyI

 

[gREVUS]

I just hope the NRL now hits him with a 2 year playing ban ala SBW - I really don't see any difference

 

[Buck777]

You have to admit, mundene would make a good cult leader. What's the attraction? He's got a few dancing to his tune now.

 

[Ranger]

Mirrored the Dugan situation with the behaviour and no show at the board meeting. Raiders really have had a terrible year.

 

[rugged]

I just hope the NRL now hits him with a 2 year playing ban ala SBW - I really don't see any difference

Sorry but I think it is a big difference, a guy leaving 3 months before he could legally break his contract is not the same as what SBW did

 

[Inruin]

Anthony Mundine.....what a great mentor.
Blake Ferguson needs to be deregistered and not allowed to play in the NRL for at least a year.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

He shouldn't be allowed to play for another club until his current contract has expired...ie if his contract was until the end od 2015 then he has to sit out next season.....another club shouldn't be able to benefit from this.

 

[rugged]

He shouldn't be allowed to play for another club until his current contract has expired...ie if his contract was until the end od 2015 then he has to sit out next season.....another club shouldn't be able to benefit from this.

But he had an out in his contract cause they sacked furner, so he could have asked for a release in November and it would have to be granted. I agree that he needs to be stood down but I think making it two years does not match the crime. He went awol for the last 5 Raiders games so I would double that and say that he can't play in the first 10 rounds next season.

The number of players getting in trouble is adding up for the Raiders, when you think Carney, Dugan, Fergusson and to a much lesser (but grosser) extent monaghan. Canberra need to look at themselves!

 

[ajofbrisbane]

But he was still contracted and abandoned his employment......sackable yes...was it to benefit him long term...who will know?? But he hasn't done the right thing by his contract, club or team mates....make him pay

 

[Moz]

Well he got what he wanted he wanted out of the raiders and they've given it to him and all he had to do to get out of the club was act like a complete fuckwit and I don't buy into the evil Mundine lead him astray shit either he was doing fine by himself guys a tool

... or maybe he's a seriously onto it sociopath who don't give a f@#k about his team or fired coach and will now walk into another club earning double what he was earning contracted to Canberra, the Doggies need a new fullback he would tear it up back there I'm sure Hasler has thought about it.

 

[rugged]

The NRL has players who have done far far worse then fergo and have got nothing like a two year ban, if you are going to ban a guy for two years for walking out on his club 3-4 weeks too early , then I think you would have to ban all of the drug cheats for life. They have cheated against other clubs, their own fans and damaged the comp as a whole.

 

[ajofbrisbane]

That's fine...in my eyes he has wanted out for a long time and acted like a prize tosser.....nothing he has done has been beneficial to the NRL. It's time to draw a line in the sand and make the tough decisions.
What makes this any difference in principal to SBW & the Dogs???? SBW wanted out so he walked....Fergusson wanted out so he doesn't show up at training or for games or anything to do with the club. In my opinion he should be banned in the same vein as SBW....not allowed to be registered until his current contract expires.

 

[rugged]

That's fine...in my eyes he has wanted out for a long time and acted like a prize tosser.....nothing he has done has been beneficial to the NRL. It's time to draw a line in the sand and make the tough decisions.
What makes this any difference in principal to SBW & the Dogs???? SBW wanted out so he walked....Fergusson wanted out so he doesn't show up at training or for games or anything to do with the club. In my opinion he should be banned in the same vein as SBW....not allowed to be registered until his current contract expires.

The point is his contract had a clause that allowed it to expire in November, if it wasn't for that clause I would agree. It is that clause that makes it radically different to SBW. Personally I don't know why clubs agree to allow players to leave if a coach does, it is just a dumb contract clause.

 

[KerryKatona]

did anyone catch the press conference with Mundine and Ferguson? jesus Christ what a shit sandwich that was

 

[ajofbrisbane]

The point is his contract had a clause that allowed it to expire in November, if it wasn't for that clause I would agree. It is that clause that makes it radically different to SBW. Personally I don't know why clubs agree to allow players to leave if a coach does, it is just a dumb contract clause.

Problem is it isn't November and he is acting like a prize donkey.....he has engineered this for a long time.....if it was November and there had been no controversy then all good, but the fact is it isn't and Fergusson has played the club, players & fans like prize tools.....ban him until his current contract expires.

 

[rugged]

Problem is it isn't November and he is acting like a prize donkey.....he has engineered this for a long time.....if it was November and there had been no controversy then all good, but the fact is it isn't and Fergusson has played the club, players & fans like prize tools.....ban him until his current contract expires.

I don't think Canberra need any help to look like prize tools. But I can see your point of view.
Even if you are rights, lets be honest the NRL won't show there teeth. This is an organisation that takes little action in regards to drug cheats and serious off field violence.

 

[gREVUS]

due to him his team are going to miss out on making the 8. It is one of the very few instances where you can look at a single player and say "he did it". I might not be a fan of Canbera but his attitude towards his team was defn not in the interests of the club and his contract is with both the NRL and the club. The integrity unit must come down hard on him, as this isn't his first offense for the year and add to that they assault complaint if found guilty - 2 years would be a minimum imo

 

[ajofbrisbane]

Probably not but they should....this guy has manipulated the situation to suit him and the Mundine circus.....he should be banned until his current contract expires....maybe this way other players will start to tow the line

 

[gREVUS]

looking at it another way, If the NRL do ban him, he is a single player not associated with any team, so no one to go into bat for him, hes an easy target that can make a big impression on other players in the NRL that they wont be messed with

 

[ajofbrisbane]

A

looking at it another way, If the NRL do ban him, he is a single player not associated with any team, so no one to go into bat for him, hes an easy target that can make a big impression on other players in the NRL that they wont be messed with

Agreed, as I said they need to draw the line in the sand