Blake Ferguson’s unusual but effective on-field motivation

Blake Ferguson stands out on the right wing, waiting for the ball to come his way. “C’mon Fergy Ferg, you can do this,” he tells himself. Welcome to life with the new Parramatta winger.

Blake Ferguson enjoys his time on the field. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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Blake Ferguson stands out on the right wing, waiting for the ball to come his way.

“C’mon Fergy Ferg, you can do this,” he tells himself.

Welcome to life with the new Parramatta winger.

Teammates and former coaches have revealed how the powerhouse Eel motivates himself in third person.

And it doesn’t stop there.

“Takka (Eels centre Brad Takairangi) is next to him on the field,” Eels centre Michael Jennings said. “He tells me Fergo yells at the opposition ‘You can’t tackle me, mate. You can’t get me down, what’s going on?’

Blake Ferguson enjoys his time on the field. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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“You should ask some of his opponents what he’s like. He is always geeing up his opposition on the field.

“He talks to himself out there. He says he needs to motivate himself to keep himself going.”

Former NSW coach Laurie Daley revealed Ferguson even took his unique antics to the Origin arena.

“He talks to himself and gets himself going. ‘The Ferg is going to be good today’ or ‘Fergy’s not going to be outmuscled today’,” Daley said. “He pumps himself up by doing it.”

The pep talks are working. Ferguson has been a revelation at Parramatta over the opening two rounds, running for a total 430 metres.

Fergy Ferg motivates himself during games. Picture: Brett Costello

His most confronting test will come on Friday night against former side the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, despite missing training on Wednesday due to a personal matter.

But Ferguson, 29, is likely to take it all in his stride.

Carefree and easygoing, even in dressing rooms he likes to shake hands with journalists and introduce himself.

Ferguson left the Roosters for Parramatta last year when they couldn’t match the Eels’ offer, and he left a big fan when he walked away from Bondi — Roosters chairman Nick Politis.

“I love Fergo, I’m glad he’s playing well,” Politis said. “We knew he was a great player but he got a great deal from Parramatta and we couldn’t match it.

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“He talks to our club regularly, he misses us. He’s a good guy who has a good heart. He’s got no malice in him. I’m sure he will go well. We wished him all the best.”

Former Roosters teammate Luke Keary can’t wait to see his good friend, but isn’t looking forward to trying to bring him down, saying the only way to stop Ferguson was to “Put your body in front of him. He has a strong carry out of his end.

“He’s killing it this year.

“He did last year too. We’re all happy for him. We all still love him here. It’s good. I can’t wait to see him and catch up.”

Eels centre Takairangi is forming a dangerous combination with Ferguson on Parramatta’s right side.

“He’s been awesome,” Takairangi said. “Fergs brings a lot of energy on and off the field and people in the club thrive off it. You get a lot of positive energy from him.”

Ferguson would enjoy nothing more than an upset win over his ex-club and teammates.

“Fergo will be looking for a big one. I can tell you he’s really excited. He is so good out of the back-field,” Jennings said.

“He gets our sets started and we run off the back of him all day. He has been unreal, hasn’t he?”

Originally published as Blake Ferguson’s unusual but effective on-field motivation