https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/03/ferguson-puts-on-coachs-hat-to-gather-intel/
Author
Alicia Newton
NRL.com Reporter
Fri 3 May 2019, 06:01 PM
Blake Ferguson's successful experience at the Sydney Roosters continues to pay off with the Parramatta winger making the most of a recent day out watching his former club.
Ferguson was spotted in a corporate box at the Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and Dragons alongside his partner, Dominique Moraitis, and her family, who are proudly red, white and blue fanatics.
While the crowd was only interested in the result, Ferguson was jotting down notes on what to expect for the Eels' clash against the Dragons at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.
"I learnt that off Robbo [Roosters coach Trent Robinson] when he would go and watch the top teams play," Ferguson said.
"He took me and Mitch Pearce to a Manly and North Queensland game one time at Brookvale. He was trying to show us to learn like that.
"You can see what they're trying to do and what they don't do. You can see and hear where they're going and try to get a few pointers on their left edge.
"I wasn't watching the whole game, I was watching certain players. The left side – Norman, Lafai, Pereira and their back-rower Tariq Sims.
"I was jotting it in my memory and I'll pass it on to our right edge."
Ferguson believed the Eels were their own worst enemy against the Knights last week and were caught up in the aftermath of hype following their 51-6 victory over the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday.
The former Origin winger missed the opening Bankwest Stadium clash before making a return from a busted nose and rib injury in the 14-point loss to Newcastle but was kept quiet by his usual standards.
"Last week we got into the trap of focusing on other teams and it bit us in the backside," Ferguson said.
"If we can start the game off fast this week and defend as well as we can we'll be alright. They're playing well and were unlucky losing a couple of times."
Ferguson added he had overcome both sets of injuries.
"[The nose] is fine, it's going alright. The ribs are alright, I can't wait to get out and play."
Replies
VT Pops, I would like to see him handed the Captaincy role going forward, that way he can put his experience, enthusiasm and game reading abilities into improving the team as a whole.
I actually believe that while Gutho likes the captaincy role and should he sign here again have a break from being the captain could help him untold & more so in the short term.
Yeah I think he would be a good captain. Can't remember too many wingers who were captains. I think Warren Boland was captain for Wests in the early '80s.
Good to see the initiative and things like this is obviously what makes Fergo such a quality player, but shouldn't this be something our key players do anyway? Watch games and identify who comes in from their wing, who to bomb with kicks, who is a turnstile to run at etc etc.
Fergo has been working both on his wing and across the backline in each game, its a good move. Keeps him in the play and works.
The other aspect with him is that he has matured in a big way, little doubt his time at the chooks following the Canberra problems, has really changed him big time. He is owning his life now as I think he has a family and the responsibitles that brings has also helped him.
As a captain he can extend that area in more ways than he probably ever thought he would get to.