Blake Ferguson owes a lot in his life to the Sydney Roosters and their patriarch Nick Politis.
So before he packs his bags for Parramatta, the in-form winger hopes to repay them with the ultimate parting gift: an NRL premiership.
In 2014, Roosters chairman Politis threw Ferguson a lifeline after he was sacked by Canberra.
The former NSW and Australian representative will play his final game for the Roosters in Sunday's grand final before joining the Eels on a marquee deal.
It will be the first grand final of his career and it's an opportunity he doesn't want to let go begging.
"I'm just going to enjoy the week. It's my first time. I'll just lean on some of the guys that have been there," Ferguson said.
"(Politis) has been a big part of my career - he gave me a second chance. We'll go this week and try to bring the trophy home."
While 2018 has been a difficult season for the 28-year-old, losing his Blues Origin jumper, he's also been a linchpin of the Roosters' success.
He goes into the grand final with 4878 running metres for the year, more than any player in the league, according to Fox Sports Stats.
And he's on track to repeat the feats of former Roosters fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who in 2013 became the first player to break the 5000m barrier.
Considering he's averaged 187m this year, he's likely to do so.
He scored what proved the match winner in the weekend's preliminary final victory over South Sydney when Joseph Manu popped a beautiful offload in traffic and he toed the touchline to dive over.
Ferguson said Manu had taken his game to another level after being dropped for last year's finals.
"He's going good. He's evolved over the last couple of years," Ferguson said.
"He was unlucky to miss out last year in the finals series.
"I asked him about it. He's pretty quiet, he's my roomie. I knew the pre-season he had this year was based on what happened last year.
"He's come through the other side and playing some good footy. But we can still evolve out there."
Share
