- CANBERRA 44 bt NEWCASTLE 14 at Canberra Stadium.
BLAKE Ferguson's charge for State of Origin selection hit top gear today when the dynamic Canberra centre produced another master class in a thumping 44-14 win over Newcastle.
Almost sacked by the Raiders after his rooftop drinking session with Josh Dugan in March, Ferguson's form is now at the point where he only has to stay fit to be a certain inclusion in the NSW team - with the only decision whether to play him on the wing or at centre.
Ferguson scored a hat-trick in the win over the Knights and also offloaded the final pass for two of Sandor Earl's tries, with the winger also crossing for a hat-trick.
After trailing 14-0, the Raiders raced in nine tries to two all up to make it back-to-back wins after last week's victory over Melbourne.
MATCH CENTRE: RAIDERS v KNIGHTS
And just like last week, the undeniable story of the afternoon was Ferguson's stunning performance, with the giant centre also kicking four goals for a personal tally of 20 points.
Going one-on-one with Timana Tahu, Ferguson put in a performance that combined speed, strength and skill with his typical confidence.
Tahu left the field early in the second half with a cork but by that stage Ferguson had already put an exclamation mark on his statement for Origin inclusion.
Providing he stays fit and in form from here, the question will not be whether Laurie Daley plays him in the series opener on June 5 but at what position.
Does Daley bring Ferguson in to fill the hole on the wing, or does he go for the all-up gamble and put him in at centre in place of Josh Morris?
Blake Ferguson scores one of his tries against the Knights.
Morris was 18th man for Australia in the recent ANZAC Test and has done nothing to jeopardise his place in the Blues team.
But there has to be an argument right now to keep Ferguson playing in the centres given the massive threat he would represent to Queensland.
The Raiders' come-from-behind win was also an indication of the incredible potential in the Canberra side.
On their day they can challenge any team in the comp - as their win over Melbourne last week proved - but this win today was every bit as important given their biggest problem in recent years has been consistency.
After a slow start Terry Campese put in a much better performance, while in his comeback from injury Josh Papalii put in an enormous effort.
The big backrower set up two tries and was dangerous in attack.
And on the opposite side of the field to Ferguson, young Jack Wighton was outstanding again.
And given Sandor Earl's form, the problem for David Furner in a couple of weeks' time is going to be where to try and fit Jarrod Croker back into the team.
For the Knights, after a great start they fell apart terribly as they allowed in 44 unanswered points.
Without Jarrod Mullen out injured and with Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith still missing it's not quite panic time for Wayne Bennett but next week it doesn't get any easier, when they take on the Bulldogs in Newcastle.
Canberra now takes on Ferguson's former club Cronulla next Sunday in the nation's capital.
CANBERRA 44 (S Earl 3 B Ferguson 3 J Picker R Robinson J Wighton tries B Ferguson 4 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 14 (J McManus R Rochow tries K Gidley 3 goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Gavin Morris, Jason Robinson. Crowd: 10,453.
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