Blake Ferguson plans to extend an olive branch to NSW coach Brad Fittler after declaring he wants to make himself available for the Blues in 2019.
Ferguson knocked back an offer from Fittler to join an Emerging Blues camp in December with the Blues mentor quick to question the Parramatta recruit's desire for future representative honours.
After picking up where he left off last season on the paddock in the Eels' first-round upset win over Penrith, he made it clear on Tuesday he intends to make peace with Fittler and clear the air.
"I spoke with my manager yesterday about trying to catch up with Freddie," Ferguson said.
"I wasn't able to do it today because of training, but maybe we can try to catch up next week. I do want to be a part of it.
"Over the break in December I wasn't really sure, that's why I didn't go to the NSW [training camp].
"I didn't want to put myself in an environment where I didn't feel like I belonged.
"Now I'm definitely keen to play both sides of footy there, for NSW and Australia, if I get an opportunity this year. Hopefully I'm playing good enough footy to be picked and anything can happen."
Fittler expressed his disappointment last year over Ferguson's failure to call the series-winning coach after he was named in the end-of-season squad as part of the state's 2019 plans.
"We sent an email back to him saying I wasn't going to come to it because I had commitments here at the Eels and I hadn't been at training for two weeks," Ferguson said.
"I wanted to work hard with my [Eels] teammates, they'd been back at training for two or three weeks and I wanted to get to know my teammates as well.
"Obviously that [will be spoken about] at the meeting next week when we catch up and have a chat. That's what meetings are for, to have chats."
If it came down to form alone, Ferguson is on track towards a Blues recall after finishing 2018 as the game's most dominant winger.
The 29-year-old was overlooked by Fittler for the 2018 series with Tom Trbojevic and Josh Addo-Carr preferred on the edges.
"Yeah, I felt like I played good last year," Ferguson said.
"I was pretty disappointed not to get picked last year, to be honest. It played a part - it made me play better because I had a chip on my shoulder.
"I was actually enjoying not being in and out of camps and that sort of stuff. I'm in the right head space this year to give it a shot and see what happens.
"Obviously it's the selectors' decision. I'll do everything in my power to stake my claims and hopefully win the series if I get an opportunity."
Replies
Damn it!
I was hoping he was over the representative duties thing.
Man I hope Freddy holds a grudge.
This a good thing for us Grunta. Means he wants that origin jumper back & with T Turbo & Addo-Carr not putting a foot wrong last year means he’ll really have to earn it. So let’s hope he’s hungry enough for it he explodes for us all season.
Us having an origin player again is a great thing moving forward.
I can understand that mate, but origin means we don’t have the best winger in the comp for weeks on end.
It was great seeing the current origin halves get shown up last week by Moses and a rookie.
Hold that grudge, Freddie!!!
Freddie would be stupid to include him . Shows he’s weak and players can come and go as they please . Ferguson should’ve picked up the phone and explained his hesitation if any of this story is true , not sent a fucking email ffs . Who does he think he is . Sorry champ , the positions been filled .
No room on this bus Fergo and you've already missed the previous one.
You now belong to club land.
Freddie was on Macquarie Sports Radio this morning with Mark Levy and Piggy Riddell and his response to this article was telling.
When asked about the article he responded by saying that it was the first he'd heard about it and that Fergo has his number and knows how to contact him.
Doesn't sound like Freddy is interested at all...
More to the point, Fittler is not going to drop either of his wingers, so I think its a mute point really.
Injuries tho??
Yeh, Trbojevic doesn't exactly inspire confidence with his injury history.