Hope Fergo's move not about cash

Blake Ferguson on the field for the Canberra Raiders. Source: Renee McKay / AAP

ALAN Tongue is sick and tired of seeing Canberra losing one superstar after another and he hopes the hunt for more money is not the real reason behind Blake Ferguson's wish to move closer to his uncle Anthony Mundine.

Talk this week that Ferguson wants to follow Josh Dugan to Sydney has left everyone at Canberra disappointed and angry.

It's been speculated Ferguson could earn more than $500,000 a season if he becomes a free agent, with Cronulla one club said to be interested. 

"He was signed up before State of Origin so straight away his value would have increased," Tongue reasoned.

"Now he is being talked about in an Australian jersey at the end of the year. 

"I just hope that is not the case (that this is about money) but things are certainly pointing in that direction.

"I understand he wants to go back to the city to be closer to Anthony Mundine and family different things but for me if you are a guy that gets distracted in those situations would you rather be living in the middle of Sydney or in Canberra? 

"I'd think there are a lot less distractions down here.

"I know he wants to be closer to Anthony Mundine but he is only two hours up the road, it is not that far. That's just my opinion." 

Raiders boss Don Furner was in no mood for talking yesterday but said Ferguson still had two years to run on his contract and he would not be released. 

Club chairman John McIntyre confirmed the matter would be discussed at a board meeting before the Bulldogs game on Saturday.

McIntyre said: "It's not the sort of build-up you'd want going into a very crucial game this weekend.

"It's disappointing.

"I come from the old school where a handshake is good enough for me."

Tongue said the club should move "heaven and earth" to keep Ferguson in Raiders colours but there would be no point making him stay if he didn't want to be there. 

That is where Tongue believes the NRL should to step in with a transfer system similar to what is used in the English Premier League. 

"If he wants to get out of a two-year deal and Anthony Milford wants to get out as well the club should be compensated," Tongue said. 

"There might be family reasons or different reasons why they want to move but if you are signed and committed to a two-year deal and another club wants to take him on, well, the Raiders need to be compensated. 

"Don't get me wrong. I want Blake Ferguson in a Raiders jersey and I Tony Milford as well.

"But at the end of the day you want guys at the club who want to play for the club and play for their mates.

"When you are forking out such huge dollars for these players is it worthwhile having a guy that doesn't want to be there?

"I know it is hard to swallow when you are going to lose them to another club but I know as a player you want players who want to pull on that jersey and give their heart and soul for the joint and the people they are playing alongside. 

"If you are not playing with people like that you know they are not giving their best.

"Like I said, I'd be ticking off every box I could to try and keep him, don't worry about that. 

"I'd be moving heaven and earth to try and keep them both but at the end of the day how much of your salary cap can you fork out for a couple of players who don't want to be there? 

"We have all seen over the last few months what the club has done for (Ferguson) but the club has also been working with him for the last three or four years. 

"If he wants it he could be amazing. He knows it too. It is just a matter of him making those wise choices off the field.

"The club will dig their heels in because they have put in a lot of work behind the scenes on these guys.

"I think this breaks a lot of people's hearts."

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