New recruit Blake Ferguson bringing hugs and smiles to Eels
Leaving behind the reigning premiers for the perennial wooden spooners might get some players down — but not Parramatta’s new recruit Blake Ferguson.
Parramatta are feeling the love and the injection of affection has come from an unlikely source.
Blake Ferguson and coach Brad Arthur were all smiles at training on Tuesday, even sharing a hug, and it’s all part of the new recruit’s plan to help bond his new team closer than ever.
“He likes to be serious but I tone him done a bit,” Ferguson said.
“I’m a hugger so I’m always wanting to touch everyone’s hands. It’s a bit weird. I like a bit of a hug and a bit of a connection, I’m big on that.
“We were big on that at the Roosters so I thought I would try to bring a bit of that here and get everyone together and connecting early in the morning.”
Arthur is a stern taskmaster but a laid-back Ferguson says their relationship is flourishing and backs his coach to get the best out of him.
“He’s all right B.A., he’s a good guy. We’ve had some pretty decent chats which is good for me. He’s a good person,” he said.
Ferguson is one of at least nine players who will be vying for a spot in the Eels’ back five this season.
His mammoth year with the Roosters, where he ran for an incredible 5400 metres, all but assures him a spot. However, the winger was reluctant to reveal his exact role this season.
“They reckon I’m playing front row, that’s what B.A. was saying to me. I’ve been training in the front row,” Ferguson joked.
“I don’t know what we are doing exactly. Obviously there are options and I can play three different positions.
“I know where I’m playing, I’m not going to tell you … just keep me on the field.”
The premiership winner also revealed it took as little as thirty minute chat, which took place at the Eels training ground, for him to commit his future to the western Sydney club.
“We had a half an hour chat just over here about the team,” he said.
“They’d gone pretty good the year before last. For me, that was enough to make a decision based on length of contract and based on the past they had. It wasn’t that hard of a decision to be honest.”
Ferguson made the decision to sign when the Roosters were staring down the barrel of four straight losses. They went on to defeat Melbourne in the grand final but the flyer says he never had any second thoughts about joining the Eels.
“I signed the contract in April so we weren’t going to good then at the Roosters. We’d lost our first three games and there was a lot of talk about the Roosters: “oh, they are going to fail this year’ and we ended up winning,” he said.
“You can’t regret any decision you make. You are not guaranteed a contract so for me to get a bit of security was key.”
Ferguson was arguably the form winger of the competition in 2018 but that still wasn’t even to earn him an Origin recall.
While his desire to wear the Blue of New South Wales lingers, he says playing Origin again isn’t his number one priority at the moment.
“No I haven’t [spoken to Brad Fittler]. I think they have their team picked I guess,” he said.
“Honestly, I just want to play good footy. Everything else comes after performing and being consistent as a footy player and being consistent off the field with your leadership.
“To be honest I’m not looking that far ahead, it’s a long way away.”
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