In 2013, Blake Ferguson found himself without an NRL club and facing an uncertain future both personally and professionally.
But with the help of his cousin, Australian boxing champion Anthony Mundine, he says his life, as well as his career, is now back on track.
This week, the Aboriginal star took home the Dally M's winger of the year award, and on Sunday night, he will play for the Sydney Roosters in his first ever NRL Grand Final.
"Words probably can't explain it," he told SBS News this week.
"I know within myself I had to fight pretty hard to get back to do what I'm doing now."
"I take great satisfaction in being here in this final week of the season."
Blake Ferguson, right, with cousin Anthony Mundine ahead of the 2018 NRL Grand Final. Source: Adrian Arciuli / SBS News
The 28-year-old was born in Sydney and burst onto the NRL scene in 2009 with the Cronulla Sharks. In 2011, he joined the Canberra Raiders and quickly became one of their top players. But two years later, his life and career took a turn for the worse.
In March 2013 he was fined $10,000 after being pictured drinking on a rooftop with Raiders teammate Josh Dugan.
Three months later he was charged and later convicted over the indecent assault of a woman at a nightclub. The incident occurred while he was celebrating his selection in the New South Wales State of Origin team.
In the September he failed to front a Raiders board meeting and his contract was terminated.
But with the help of Mundine, he set about getting his life back on track.
Giving up alcohol was one of the first steps in his rehabilitation.
"I told him alcohol is nothing but a poison, not just to you, but to society in general," Mundine, who previously played in the NRL, said.
"There's no better high than a natural high."
"I can be clean as a whistle but be higher than you because I'm so happy and content with my life."
Ferguson said Mundine's advice always rung true to him.
"He's always struck true to his own principles and tried to instil that into me."
"I looked up to him since I was a kid, for me to see him nearly every day it's good."
"I love being his cousin."
In 2014, the Sydney Roosters decided to give Ferguson a second chance but attempts to register his playing contract were at first rejected by the NRL.
He sat out the entire season as he completed counselling and a clinical support program to prove he was ready to return. In the December of 2014, the NRL gave him the green light to resume his career.
Since then, he's gone on to score 50 tries in 89 games for the Roosters. He's also represented New South Wales and Australia and become a father.
Mundine says it's extremely satisfying to see what he's achieved.
"When he's scoring it feels like I'm scoring, when he's watching me fight it's like he's fighting, that's the love and brotherhood we have to each other."
"I'm watching the TV and yelling 'go Blake, go' ... [and] I'm normally a cool cat!”
Ferguson scoring his 100th NRL try. Source: AAP
If the Roosters weren't in the grand-final, Ferguson says he would be playing in this weekend's Koori Knockout, the Indigenous rugby tournament in Dubbo, NSW.
He says he's finally accepted he is a role model for the Aboriginal community.
"It took me a long time to realise," Ferguson said.
"I grew up a little bit different and had to learn on the run ... It was pretty tough, but we got there."
"I try and go back home as much as possible."
On Sunday he'll be playing on rugby league's biggest stage against the Melbourne Storm.
Mundine hopes Ferguson will complete his redemption story by winning the sport's ultimate prize.
"He's been from the gutter to the top, not many people do that," Mundine said.
"It's an unbelievable story."
