Canberra have confirmed the sacking of Blake Ferguson after the NSW Origin wing failed to front a Raiders board meeting yesterday to explain his erratic behaviour.
Having gone AWOL three weeks ago amid rumours he wanted out of the club, Ferguson's two-year deal signed in May this year was tornup, making him the second representative star sacked by the Raiders following the axing of good friend Josh Dugan in March.
"The board were left with little choice but to terminate Blake Ferguson's contract, after several breaches of club policy," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said.
The board's decision to cut Ferguson has expedited what was an expected parting of ways with the club anyway, with a get-out clause in the star three-quarter's contract activated by the sacking of coach David Furner last month.
Asked about Ferguson's sacking, retiring Raiders utility Shaun Berrigan said: "To be honest, it's probably the best thing for the club.
Suspended by the NRL, Ferguson was taken under the wing of boxer Anthony Mundine, when rumours of his desire to ditch Canberra surfaced.
It is thought, however, that Ferguson will return to the NRL in 2014, with Cronulla, Canterbury and Parramatta believed to be interested in his services on the field.
