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June 17th, 2013 
NSW Origin player Blake Ferguson arrives at Waverley police station on Monday afternoon. Picture: Toby Zerna
Source: The Daily Telegraph
Josh Dugan, front, and Blake Ferguson earlier this year.
Source: Supplied
UPDATE: NSW winger Blake Ferguson has been stood down from Origin II and been suspended from playing after he was charged last night with indecent assault.
The NSW State of Origin camp was thrown into turmoil after he was sacked for Origin II in Brisbane next week.
And a clearly fed-up NRL reacted further by suspending him from all matches “over repeated behavioural issues involving the abuse of alcohol”.
THEY DON’T DESERVE TO WEAR JERSEY
Ferguson was yesterday arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a woman at a Sydney nightclub.
He was bailed to appear in Waverley Local Court on July 16.
NSW winger Blake Ferguson with a couple of beers. Picture: Bill Hearne
Source: The Daily Telegraph
The 23-year-old Canberra Raiders winger is alleged to have groped a 23-year-old woman, who slapped him after the incident at a Cronulla bar on Sunday night. Police sources said CCTV footage captured the alleged incident at 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla Mall about 10.30pm.
It is understood Ferguson’s NSW teammate Josh Dugan, who was also drinking, has been cleared of any involvement by the CCTV footage.
DALEY TRIES TO KEEP BLUES FOCUSED
“After the incident there was an exchange between Ferguson and a male friend of the girl,” the police source said.
“They left the club and went straight to the police station and complained.”
FROM BOOZE TO BLUES FOR DOOGS
Ferguson was reportedly ejected from the premises and then refused re-entry by security, who were acting on the advice of police. But, according to a witness, Ferguson re-entered through a rear door before the alleged altercation took place.
He arrived at Waverley police station last night flanked by Blues team managers Craig Young and Burt Lowrie and solicitor Paul McGirr.
The NRL will determine when Ferguson can return to rugby league after consulting with Canberra and the NRL integrity unit.
Ferguson becomes the second NSW player stood down for Origin II after prop James Tamou was cut from the squad after a high-range DUI reading while driving unlicensed.
The integrity unit made a recommendation to NRL chief executive Dave Smith last night that Ferguson be sacked from the Blues side.
Blake Ferguson in action for the Blues in Origin I. Picture: Gregg Porteous
Source: The Daily Telegraph
“The fans do not want to see the game tarnished and neither do the players,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s time for people to understand that the game isn’t going to accept this sort of (alleged) behaviour.
“The first step in Blake’s case is to make a clear call in relation to Origin and we will consult with the Raiders to determine the minimum period we would look at in terms of suspension.”
FERGUSON TREATING PEOPLE WITHOUT RESPECT
Ferguson and NSW team-mate Josh Dugan were drinking at 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla when the alleged incident occurred.
The same two players were caught drinking on a Canberra rooftop earlier this season, Dugan was subsequently sacked by the Raiders.
The 2230 bar and restaurant in Cronulla, where the Blake Ferguson incident is alleged to have taken place. Picture: Brett Costello
Source: The Daily Telegraph
A source close to Canberra said: “This is why we had to spilt them.”
Patrons at the bar claim Dugan didn’t misbehave but was drinking despite having a scan yesterday on an injured ankle. He will not face any action.
St George Illawarra will also be frustrated Dugan was drinking after wearing a moon boot for his injury twice in the past two weeks.
LIFE AND TIMES OF BLAKE FERGUSON
Age: 23
NRL games: 101
2009
March: Makes NRL debut for Cronulla in round one clash with Penrith
2010
January: Called up to play for the Indigenous All Stars, following injury to Justin Hodges
July: Angers Cronulla fans by announcing he plans to leave the club in order to play for a team capable of winning a premiership
August: Signs two-year deal with Canberra
2012
April: Makes NSW Country Origin debut and named man of the match, scoring a double in 24-22 loss to City
May: Suspended by Raiders for one week, along with Josh Dugan, for breaching the club’s alcohol policy by reporting to training while drunk
November: Removed from a music festival after reportedly spitting on patrons.
2013
January: Walks out of emerging Blues camp due to personal issues, before later apologising to NSW coach Laurie Daley
March: Finds himself in trouble after drinking with Dugan instead of turning up to a recovery session. Ferguson is fined $10,000, banned for one week and ordered to undergo counselling sessions. Dugan is sacked.
March: After serving one-week suspension, Ferguson returns and vows to stay off alcohol for six weeks to turn his season around
May: Makes his State of Origin debut for NSW in a 14-6 victory
June: Named to take on Queensland in game two alongside good mate Dugan. After a drinking session, Ferguson is investigated over an alleged incident at a Cronulla nightspot.
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