NSW State of Origin backs Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson have been nominated for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame for advancing the reputation of the sport of Rugby League in Australia.

Dugan and Ferguson join their Blues captain Paul Gallen in receiving a nomination for the country’s biggest inter-code award.

The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. The first medal was awarded to Sydney Roosters and New Zealand representative Shaun Kenny-Dowall in 2015.

The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players who receive media attention for similarly scandalous behaviour and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Todd Carney.

“So happy to get nominated for FMHOF” tweeted the pair, “Time 4 another tat and a Pure Blonde bevvie”

The former Raiders teammates received their nomination at a special ‘progressive’ ceremony which began at Gallen’s spiritual home, Northies, before finishing at another Cronulla nightclub, 2230.

It was there that the pair demonstrated their ability to cause havoc which undoubtedly persuaded NSW coach Laurie Daley to select both players for game 1 of Origin. It was also on this night that Ferguson began his lucrative ambassadorial role with Pure Blonde.

First published in May 2016

Image: Nuna