Blake Ferguson joins shock new club

Leigh Leopards have been making statement signings for some time such as former Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors star Zak Hardaker, Huddersfield Giants star Ricky Leutele and some amazing finds down under like Kai O’Donnell, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam.

But the biggest name they ever signed was perhaps Blake Ferguson but unfortunately ahead of the Super League season he left the club due to a family health issue.

This was confirmed by Adrian Lam early in 2023.

“There has been a health issue in the family and Blake feels he wants to be there,” he said to the Leigh Journal.

“So, we have released him on compassionate grounds. He really wanted to be there with his family.

“It was important for him and also to his indigenous culture. As a club we supported him in that.

“There is no ‘is he coming back, or is he not?’ He has just been granted permission to get back for his immediate family.

“Our hearts are with him and we support him. We understand where Blake is coming from. He was desperate to get home.

“From past experience, players need to be there for as long as they can to help. That seems as though it might be long term but we can’t guarantee that at the moment.”

Then though Ferguson has signed for Thirlmere Tahmoor SRLFC for 2023.

He previously played for them in his younger years and are based in New South Wales.

They play in the Group 6 Rugby League competition and have won six premierships most recently in back-to-back successes in 2019 and 2020.

The former Leopards winger has now moved onto pastures new signing the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs for next year.

Since leaving Leigh, they haven’t struggled however, Josh Charnley came into his own scoring a whopping 30 tries as he made up ground of Danny McGuire as Super League’s all time top try scorer.

Meanwhile, Tom Briscoe was an excellent signing on the right wing combining well with Zak Hardaker.

He also scored at Wembley keeping up his amazing Wembley record as Leigh lifted the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971.