ORIGIN CALL-UP

Just weeks ago the Canberra Raiders flyer’s career was on the line as he got caught up in the scandal which cost then-teammate Josh Dugan his place at the club.

Dugan is now at St George-Illawarra while Ferguson has joined the ranks of the game’s elite - he’s an Origin player.

Since the rooftop photos were taken and displayed on social media app Instagram, Ferguson’s form has demanded he gain selection in Laurie Daley’s side which will attempt to end Queensland’s seven-year Origin reign.

It was revealed in a metropolitan newspaper on Saturday that Ferguson had been selected to play on the wing and that leak was confirmed shortly after 5pm yesterday when the team was announced, with Daley admitting the 23-year-old’s 191cm, 95kg frame appealed to him.

“He’s been playing great football for the Raiders,” Daley said.

“He’s a big man and we will have him on the right side to combat their big bodies.

“We’re trying to match their size out there with a thought to Greg Inglis attacking that side and one of the things I like about Blake is that he is big enough to do that job and he can score a try as well.”

The Daily Liberal last night attempted to contact Ferguson but Canberra Raiders media manager Ben Pollack said no comment would be made until he went into camp with the Blues this morning.

Meanwhile, new Wellington Cowboys captain-coach Justin Toomey-White believes Ferguson’s selection will be a real boost for rugby league in the town.

“Blake is a guy we all follow every week for the Raiders and for him to make it to State of Origin level is brilliant,” Toomey-White said after his side’s win over Macquarie.

“All the kids will see that you can grow up in a town like Wello and make it to the top of the sport if you have the ability and try hard enough.

“I’d say the whole town will be watching the Origin game now. Hopefully he does well.”