NRL news: Blake Ferguson’s rugby league career appears over after release from Leigh

Blake Ferguson’s time in rugby league appears to be over after he returned home to Australia despite signing a two-year extension with his English club.

Blake Ferguson’s rugby league career appears over. Picture: Getty Images

Controversial former NRL star Blake Ferguson may have played the final game of his colourful rugby league career after being released from his contract at English club Leigh on compassionate grounds.

It is understood the now 32-year-old is already back in Australia due to a health situation relating to a close relative.

At this point it is believed Ferguson has no plans to chase an NRL return, although that hasn’t been completely ruled out.

The former NSW and Australian Test winger had scored 21 tries in 17 games in the English second division, playing no small part in his club’s promotion back into the Super League in 2023.

Blake Ferguson celebrates a try for Leigh Centurions. Picture: Getty Images

Ferguson even signed a two-year contract extension back in July, and at the time was described as “one of the best signings the club has ever made”.

But that came on the back of Ferguson spending 29 nights locked up in a Tokyo jail during his time in Japanese Rugby.

Following his release from Parramatta at the end of the 2021 NRL season, Ferguson took up a lucrative $1.5 million contract with Japanese club NEC Green Rockets.

But he was sacked shortly after being imprisoned for alleged cocaine possession and claims of assault.

Blake Ferguson played for the Roosters and a host of other clubs in a colourful NRL career. Picture: Getty Images

Ferguson also had an up and down NRL career where he was regarded as one of the most naturally blessed athletes of his generation, although controversy was never far away.

He had stints at Cronulla, Canberra, the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta — which all endured their highs and lows — while playing nine Origins for NSW and seven Tests for Australia.

There’s no question if he put his mind to it Ferguson is still good enough to handle playing NRL, but at this time that is not believed to be his motivation.