We had no choice but to sack Blake Ferguson, say NRL club the Canberra Raiders 
AFTER weeks of speculation the Raiders on Friday sacked troubled star centre Blake Ferguson.
Canberra CEO Don Furner called a press conference for Friday afternoon, and released a statement explaining the axing.
"The board were left with little choice but to terminate Blake Ferguson’s contract, after several breaches of club policy," Furner said.
"We are sorry that it had to come to this, despite providing ongoing support to Blake with the best welfare and counselling services available to us, in the end we were unable to continue doing so given the current circumstances.
"The Raiders will continue to ensure we uphold our strong position in relation to player behaviour and welfare, for our members, sponsors and other stakeholders."
Ferguson's season was punctuated by ill discipline and brushes with the law, with David Furner last month sacked partly due to his support of the troubled star.
Ferguson was not sighted for the Raiders thereafter, and on Wednesday afternoon featured in a bizarre press conference with Anthony Mundine - the boxer doing all the talking as Ferguson sat mute.
The sacking has been coming, but it is understood the final decision was made when Ferguson failed to attend a Friday morning board meeting, convened so he could explain his recent absence from the club.
Calls have grown strong for the NRL to step in and deregister Ferguson, and former Raiders skipper Alan Tongue on Friday added to the chorus.
Tongue said the NRL has an opportunity to send a message to players that Ferguson's behaviour will not be tolerated.
"We can't go through this again," Tongue said.
"So if it means we have to make Ferguson spend time on the sidelines getting counselling and he misses part of the season then that needs to be considered.
"They have to weigh up what is best for Blake and what is best for the game, but maybe the best thing they can do is to sit him out for a while. They need to send the right message."
Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/canberra-raiders-reportedly-sack-bad-boy-centre-blake-ferguson/story-fniabofi-1226713139832
Topic: "We can't go through this again" says Raiders legend
