Roos Lose Half, Coach As Ferris Wheels Out

Newcastle Herald

Thursday April 6, 2006

NEIL GOFFET LEAGUE 2006 THE REAL NRL

WYONG captain-coach Jason Ferris has parted company with the Roos after a board meeting at the club on Tuesday night.

Wyong issued a statement yesterday saying the former National Rugby League player had resigned from the club.

The decision came in the wake of Wyong's poor start to the season in first grade and Ferris receiving a hefty suspension from the Newcastle Rugby League judiciary on Monday night.

Ferris, who played 123 NRL games in stints at Canberra, North Queensland, Cronulla, the Northern Eagles and Manly, got a six-match suspension for abusing a touch judge.

The halfback had the suspension reduced to four matches after he pleaded guilty and his good record was taken into account.

But the ban was a clear sign that competition officials were intent on stamping out abuse of officials.

"We are going to be tough with our stance because we are not going to put up with it," Newcastle Rugby League general manager Jamie O'Connor said. "The officials, and that's all officials, need our support because they are hard enough to get as it is."

Ferris was sent off by referee Don Sproule in Wyong's 32-16 loss to Kurri at Morry Breen Oval on Sunday.

The Roos lost their opening game of the season 32-14 to Macquarie, beat Central 30-12 in round two and lost 20-16 to Raymond Terrace before going down to Kurri.

Ferris could not be contacted yesterday, but it is understood he still wants to play in the Newcastle league despite living in the northern suburbs of Sydney.

South Newcastle officials will no doubt show interest after narrowly missing out on his services in the off-season when he chose Wyong instead.

Newcastle and NSW Country representative Dane Cronin has been appointed captain-coach of Wyong for the remainder of the season.