Andrew Johns says Blake Ferguson still a valuable NRL asset despite being dropped

4 hours ago

Andrew Johns believes Blake Ferguson's axing is all part of a wake-up call for the winger

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns says it's up to Eels winger Blake Ferguson to earn his spot back into the team after being "put on notice" by coach Brad Arthur.

But he added that Ferguson's career was far from over, claiming he off-contract winger should be snapped up on "$350,000-$400,000" a season, despite being dropped to reserve grade last week.

Ferguson bagged five tries from the opening four games in a strong start to the season, before a shocking defensive performance against the Rabbitohs prompted Arthur to swing the axe, spectacularly dumping the former NSW star in favour of rookie Haze Dunster.

Making matters worse for Ferguson, Dunster impressed for the Eels last week by scoring a try during Parramatta's win over Newcastle and for the second week in a row the rookie has been given the nod to start on the wing.

Johns said Ferguson, who he believes was in contention for an Origin recall earlier in the season, only has himself to blame following a poor defensive outing against South Sydney.

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"I think they were talking about him in Origin, but against South Sydney defensively he was poor," Johns told Wide World of Sports'

"He's obviously been sent back to reserve grade to work on his game. I watched him closely on the weekend and he played well [in reserve grade], really strong which is a good sign.

"It's not only Ferguson on notice, it's every player. It doesn't matter how big a player you are, Brad Arthur said, 'If you're not performing and doing what I expect of you I'm going to drop you'.

"The young guy who went in, Haze Dunster, he went really well. It's put Ferguson on notice."

While Ferguson may be out of favour with the Eels and coach Arthur, Johns said he's confident the off-contract 31-year-old still has plenty of footy left in him and can still command a hefty salary.

"I think it's Brad shaking him up, it's not acceptable," he added.

"As I said, defensively there were some reads Ferguson got wrong against Souths. It's been happening in bits and pieces during the year.

"He (Brad Arthur) changed Tom Opacic, who's a good defender, to go on the other side and they still looked vulnerable [against South Sydney]. It's just to put Ferguson on notice and say, 'you need to work on your game'.

"When he's on, he's like an extra front-rower, he gets the sets rolling forward.

"At this stage of his career, and I don't how they manage the salary cap, but he would be a $350,000-$400,000 player.

"I think he still has a couple of years to go. When he's right, he's the most damaging winger coming out of trouble."

Replies

- - - Graham polkinghorne > Tony Marsh June 11, 2021 at 8:43pm
      
      He slips over alot.
    - Poppa > Tony Marsh June 11, 2021 at 9:09pm
      
      He looked fine last week..... shit I forgot who we played...... your right .....those games in Reserve Grade were the making of him. Can't believe you are making out BA knows best Graham, you must be taking the piss! lol
      - Graham polkinghorne > Poppa June 11, 2021 at 10:04pm
        
        Shit did I say BA got it right. Now iam worried. LOL.
        
        Parrapete > Graham polkinghorne June 12, 2021 at 10:13am
        
        LOL
      - Tony Marsh > Poppa June 11, 2021 at 10:33pm
        
        We played Newcastle he scored a try and his positional play was good.
        0 mistakes, I will take that and see how he goes against the tigers.
Marty June 11, 2021 at 7:49pm

Sivo n Waqa

Fergi n Tom

let it ride...
- Poppa > Marty June 11, 2021 at 9:24pm
  
  Fergi and Tom, Tom creates nothing, he purely a solid defensive centre that runs a good line.....tell me how many tries he has set up for his winger? Why we are on the subject tell me how many tries Waqa has set up for Sivo? LOL
  - Graham polkinghorne > Poppa June 11, 2021 at 10:05pm
    
    With ya there Pops, we need 2 big centres with a touch of speed.
Sneaky Pete June 11, 2021 at 10:10pm

The guy is busted and has too many mistakes in him. Time to go to super league fergo.
Graham polkinghorne June 11, 2021 at 10:18pm
- We should have a shot at Seb Kriss from Raiders. Good strong centre and only 22.