Eels wary of a Broncos side looking to exact revenge after humiliating 58-0 finals loss
Blake Ferguson raised eyebrows when he arrived at Parramatta training his left leg wrapped from ankle to hip just a week out from the Eels’ return clash with Brisbane. FIND OUT WHY.
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Don’t worry about the photo Parramatta fans, Blake Ferguson has allayed any fears he won’t be on the field when the Eels look to double down on their 58-0 humiliation of the Brisbane Broncos in last year’s finals.
The winger had his left leg protected from hip to ankle during a training session on Thursday morning but said it as just a precautionary measure to safeguard his knee from the icy conditions in Sydney’s west.
“I didn’t have it strapped, I was just keeping it warm,” Ferguson said. “It’s a bit cold here in Parramatta, so I was just keeping the body warm and that’s about it. Nothing massive.”
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Ferguson injured the knee against Wests Tigers in round 17 last year and spent time in hospital with an infection after surgery to correct the problem.
He spent six weeks on the sidelines and has been managing the knee to prevent further injury.
Parramatta are expecting to face a vengeful Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium when the two sides relaunch the competition on Thursday night.
That’s to be expected considering the Eels ran in 11 tries against the hapless Broncos in the first week of last year’s finals series.
The on-field annihilation was compounded when it was discovered some Broncos players had visited a Surry Hills pub on the night before the do-or-die clash.
This time around, both teams will line up undefeated after back-to-back wins in March before the competition was suspended because of the coronavirus.
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Eels halfback Mitchell Moses is wary of a Suncorp Stadium ambush.
“I think what they showed in the first two rounds that they are a completely different side,” Moses said. “They are a really good side.
“They are young, they are keen to play and I think Brodie Croft [moving] there, he has been outstanding the first two rounds.
“And then you have [Anthony] Milford, who is running the footy really well.
“They have class across the whole field, and a monster forward pack, so we are going to have to watch them there. They will be hard to handle but we’ll up for the challenge.”
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Ferguson agreed with Moses.
“It’s exciting to get it as the opening game,’’ Ferguson said. “We know they are going to be hungry after what happened last year but we haven’t really talked about that.”
Once round three is done and dusted, Ferguson’s attention will switch to his impending nuptials.
The 30-year old proposed to his partner Dominique during the lockdown.
“We were just chilling out, relaxing and decided to do it,” Ferguson said. “It was nothing massive, I’m not a romantic.
“The break was pretty good and it’s good to be back hanging out with all my mates here.”
Any wedding plans won’t interfere with Parramatta’s quest to break a 34-year drought. Ferguson confirmed the couple won’t tie the knot until next year.