Former premiership-winning winger Blake Ferguson has known as out the NRL, lending his voice to rising requires the league to supply higher medical help for recently-retired gamers.
Taking to Instagram, Ferguson claimed he has been denied help from the NRL to cowl prices related to medical procedures on his nostril, which has been damaged eight instances.
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Ferguson final performed within the NRL again in 2021, later enjoying for Championship aspect Leigh Centurions earlier than transferring again to Australia to play for Thirlmere Roosters in an area league.
As defined by the Rugby League Gamers Affiliation again in January, the present CBA gamers solely have 12 months to have “any surgical procedures and rehabilitation paid for that can assist repair the accidents they suffered throughout their careers”.
“After 15 years within the nrl system, enjoying 249 video games for 4 NRL groups profitable a grand ultimate, 7 video games for @arlkangaroos, 9 video games for @nswblues, profitable the Harry Sunderland medal (gamers’ participant for Kangaroos) and breaking my nostril over 8 instances you’d suppose they’d repair it as I devoted my life and physique to the sport,” Ferguson wrote in an Instagram story on Wednesday night time.
“However no I’ve been instructed as a result of I went to Japan and England and it has been over 12 months (since his final NRL sport) that I’m not eligible for the medical remedy to repair it.
“What’s the go deadset particular person struggles to sleep at night time and places bums on seats for yas and also you wanna simply throw an individual to the kirb [sic] as soon as they’re retired. Absolute joke.”
In a separate submit, Ferguson wrote: “Certainly I will be compensated for ruining my face. This wouldn’t have occurred if I simply performed for ya native footy group. You suppose this got here from strolling within the park on a day @rlplayers @arlkangaroos @nrl @nswblues.”
Ferguson had loads of help, with Andrew Fifita, Josh Addo-Carr, Sandor Earl and Latrell Mitchell amongst these to share his submit.
South Sydney fullback Mitchell re-posted Ferguson’s story along with his personal message, writing: “No matter how lengthy you’re out of the sport you have to be compensated in your dedication”.
“What I’ve witness as a younger fulla coming in to a system with you bred confirmed a variety of professionalism. Love ya bra. Bums within the seat for a sport that forgets their largest property.”
Fifita, in the meantime, has already had an osteotomy on his knee and had his nostril reconstructed and instructed AAP again in January that he wants one other 4 surgical procedures.
“I’ve obtained 12 months to get it completed, and I really feel like I’m dashing to get all of it sorted,” he instructed AAP on the time.
“I discover having 12 months is a little bit of a s*** go, however I really feel like that’s why it’s necessary what the RLPA is doing.
“I’ve at all times heard from previous gamers who mentioned how necessary it was to get your physique checked (earlier than retirement) so you may get all of the stuff you want.”
Former NRL winger Beau Ryan additionally joined requires a brand new medical help fund earlier this 12 months, telling NCA Newswire that it is a matter that “wants a variety of consideration”.
“I’ve spoken to a couple of the fellows I used to play with 10 years in the past whose our bodies have damaged down for various causes – one wants a knee substitute and the opposite wants a mind scan,” Ryan mentioned.
“For the time being, these guys are solely coated for 12 months to get surgical procedure after they cease enjoying, however generally your physique doesn’t really feel the total results till two, three, 4 years after you’ve stopped enjoying.
“… “You hear individuals saying the gamers need extra money, but it surely’s not about that. The gamers aren’t being grasping.
“They’re making an attempt to guard themselves and future generations from what guys have gone by way of for the previous 40 years.
“It’s a tricky sport, and positive they receives a commission nicely, however the retirement fund and the post-footy fund wants a variety of consideration as a result of there are many individuals struggling for quite a lot of causes.
“There are lots of people whose careers had been minimize quick, and whereas some individuals have been in a position to keep within the sport, others haven’t been so fortunate.
“I feel the sport has a duty to not solely shield gamers, however to additionally present them with a security internet to assist them after they do retire to get again on their toes.”
Initially printed as ‘Absolute joke’: Blake Ferguson calls out NRL in scathing Instagram story
