TODD Carney has called on the NRL to help save wayward NSW Origin star Blake Ferguson instead of running him out of the game.
Sighting his own redemption story and that also of former Canberra and now St George-Illawarra fullback Josh Dugan, Carney claimed rugby league was the key to Ferguson's salvation.
Any future Ferguson has in rugby league could be determined on Tuesday when he faces indecent assault charges following an incident at a Cronulla nightclub.
He has pleaded not guilty. Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner has summonsed Ferguson to a board meeting following the court case next week where the Origin star will be asked to show cause why his contract shouldn't be torn up.
Following claims from Raiders legend Mal Meninga that Ferguson should be deregistered by the NRL following a string of off-field related incidents, Carney said he would be concerned for Ferguson's welfare if he was rubbed out of the game.
"Football is all Blake has ever known and he needs it more than ever now, but before that can happen he needs to fix what's going on off the field," Carney said.
"People need to realise that football is probably the one thing you need, not take it away. I worry what Blake would do without football in his life.
"It all started with his issues around Origin time and ever since the only person he has hurt is himself."
Carney said he had spoken to Ferguson numerous times on the phone over the past week, knowing that he could relate to how the troubled star would be feeling.
The Cronulla five-eighth was forced to spend 12 months out of the game after being sacked by the Raiders and deregistered by the NRL.
Carney returned to the NRL with the Roosters where he then went onto win the 2010 Dally M Player of the Year award.
Carney added that any suggestion his support for Ferguson was seen as a ploy to lure the talented centre back to Cronulla was "totally off the mark."
"I don't know if that's even a focus for him or the club right now," Carney said.
"He needs support and I see a lot of similarities in what I went through. You need support when the chips are down."
Ferguson has a get-out clause in his contract following the sacking of Canberra coach Dave Furner.
However, that clause can't be triggered until the beginning of the 2014 season, which commences on November 1.
Ferguson is yet to front the club after Canberra stood him down last Wednesday for missing two training sessions and drinking while injured.
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