Ex-Super League target Blake Ferguson’s old club takes unprecedented step in wake of cocaine scandal

The old club of Blake Ferguson has taken the unprecedented step of drug testing their whole team and backroom staff after the former NRL star was arrested for the alleged possession of cocaine.

After terminating Ferguson’s contract, the NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu wholeheartedly apologised in a statement and explained that all of their playing squad would undergo drug tests.

“We deeply apologise for the arrest of Blake Ferguson, a former contract player of NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, on December 30, 2021 for a serious violation of the law of possession of illegal drugs,” the statement said.

“We will continue to fully co-operate with police investigations. For former Ferguson players (SIC), the player contract was cancelled on January 2, 2022.

“Until now, the team has been thoroughly observing compliance and calling attention on a daily basis, but as a result, it must be said that efforts such as disseminating and thoroughly disseminating to new contract players were insufficient, and this situation, we take it seriously.

“This time, as an emergency measure, we have already conducted drug tests by an external organisation on all the players and staff of the team, and confirmed that all the test results are negative.”

Ferguson had played almost 250 games in the NRL with spells at Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters and finally Parramatta Eels, but had been linked with a move to Super League following his imminent exit from the latter.