Blake Ferguson set to seal Blues comeback in Origin III

After so long on the outer, Blake Ferguson thought this moment might never come. But now the NSW winger is reborn and on the verge of finally winning his first State of Origin series.

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Six months ago, Blake Ferguson refused to drive 13km for a NSW Origin camp. Now, he stands on the cusp of his first series win.

Seemingly unwanted by Blues coach Brad Fittler for the best part of 18 months — and overlooked for Origin I in favour of Canberra youngster Nick Cotric — Ferguson is now just 80 minutes from the series triumph that has eluded him since his debut seven years ago.

The resurrected winger insisted that he had reconciled with Fittler — “we’re close, have been for a while” — but conceded there was a time, not so long ago, when he thought his Origin career over.

It’s been a long time coming for Blake Ferguson. Image: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In December, Ferguson opted out of a bonding day organised by Fittler, which was said to be in protest to his continued snubbing.

At that point, it appeared the flanker who had represented NSW in seasons 2013, 2016 and 2017 was done.

“There was doubt I’d ever get this chance, definitely,” Ferguson said. “But I’ve never given up.

“I’ve always known that if an opportunity did come back up, I had to be in a position to take it.

“I guess everything happens for a reason.

“I'm just really excited and happy to be back with NSW. And even happier we got the win.”

Fergo’s NSW teammates know how much it means. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Asked about his relationship now with Fittler, who failed to pick the reigning Dally M winger and NRL premiership player throughout the triumphant 2018 series, Ferguson said: “Me and Freddy are close, have been for a long time.

“And we got the job done for him. He asked us to do a job and we did that.

“We all played together. All dug deep for each other and left nothing out there.

“You do that and the result will look after itself.”

The Parramatta winger can be a huge weapon for the Blues. Image: Adam Head

Despite having one of NSW Origin’s most colourful histories, which includes having the red pen go through his name three times, the flanker recalled for an injured Cotric now looms as something of an X-factor for the series decider at ANZ Stadium.

“Fergo has never won that Origin series,” fellow Blue and close mate Josh Addo-Carr said.

“He’s achieved almost everything in the game but that’s his one thing left to do.

“And while he’s been through some tough times in the past, it’s great to see him come out the other side. Everyone deserves a second chance and there’s light now at the end of the tunnel, which is full credit to him.”

Apart from taking more carries than any other player in Origin II, Ferguson also earned the third most metres of anyone on the field and was equal second for tackle busts.

“But nothing we’ve done really matters at the moment,” he said. “I’ll enjoy this win but we head home to Sydney with a job to do.

“We can’t go home thinking it’s all going to happen. We have to work hard to recreate what we’ve done here in Perth.”