Canberra Raiders star Blake Ferguson takes a run. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
CANBERRA coach David Furner is pushing to have suspended NSW Origin star Blake Ferguson back for their next game - describing it as "essential" to keep the troubled centre in footy.
While the Raiders took their unbeaten home run to 11 games against North Queensland yesterday, the real talking point continues to be Ferguson, who will contest indecent assault charges in Waverley Local Court on July 16.
Speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Sunday night, Furner revealed that, should his troubled centre be cleared by the courts, he will push to have the 23-year-old named in his side to play Parramatta following the bye.
"Initially, the NRL said Blake would be out four weeks and after the bye it will be four weeks," Furner said.
"Obviously we have to go through the right channels, but I'll certainly be asking about things to see where we're at.
"So, yes, I'd like to have Blake back for our next game because he needs to be playing. I'll say right now that he still has a long way to go (with his rehabilitation) but an essential part of that is to have him back in a footballing environment.
"I've spoken with both Anthony Mundine, who has been helping Blake, and with the NRL; they all agree Blake needs to be back in football. So right now, it's a matter of having a look at what happens and then sorting through things with the right people."
Should Ferguson return, the Canberra Raiders will head into the back half of the season boasting a side that, on the form of players like Queensland young gun and yesterday's man of the match Josh Papalii, can take it to any side.
Running for 136 metres, Papalii also scored an outstanding solo try which included a brilliant fend on Johnathan Thurston.
Indeed, while the Raiders were strong at home, the story of the afternoon was the surprisingly unhappy performance of Thurston.
Charged-down for the Raiders' first try, then brushed off for the second, JT endured a tough afternoon that also saw him knock on a pass, throw one over the sideline and generally see more of 110kg Papalii than is medically advisable.
Asked afterwards about targeting his fellow Maroon, the hulking Canberra backrower grinned awkwardly and said: "I guess our focus was the halves and when I looked up, Jonno was there.
"I seen him in front of me and ... ah, tried to run over him, I guess."
Played in front of 10,515 fans, the match was also an outstanding one for stand-in Canberra fullback Anthony Milford who, in his first run-on appearance, was unshakable under countless Thurston bombs and then scored a decisive try with six minutes left on the clock.
"I was certainly cheering him home," conceded Furner, whose side had led 18-0 before North Queensland reduced the deficit to eight.
"Tony at fullback certainly was dangerous for us. He handled those high balls well."
The Raiders now have the bye before hosting the Eels.
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