Ferguson's future under cloud but retirement not among plans

Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson says he still has a few years left in the game but concedes he may not finish his career in blue and gold.

After celebrating his 31st birthday last week, the 233-game veteran was a content man this week when asked about what the future holds.  

The Eels announced the re-signing of Maika Sivo until the end of the 2023 on Tuesday but Ferguson will need to wait to see where his future lies.

"[There's] no talks with anyone at the moment so we'll see what happens," Ferguson said.

"I'm just happy playing footy and seeing how it goes. I don't think I'm playing too bad.

"I'm 31, I just want to play week-in, week-out. If I get an opportunity somewhere, whether it be here or somewhere else, we'll see what happens."

Once a regular viewer of NRL matches, Ferguson said he's switched off watching his opponents this season unless he is lining up against them the following week.

The latest method is part of his goal to bounce back after a lean season last year that saw him score just four tries.

From there, he hopes his footy does enough talking to stretch into a 13th Telstra Premiership season.

"I've stayed away from [watching] it, I only watch what I need to at training and that's it," he said.

"I've watched a fair bit in the past … too much football. I'd usually watch the team we're playing next week but I didn't [even] do that last week."

Ferguson's future isn't the only one for Eels management to sort out this season with enforcer Nathan Brown locked in a stalemate with the club over a new deal.

"It's a process and both the club and his management are working through it," Eels coach Brad Arthur said of Brown's situation on Friday.

"These things have a habit of working themselves out."

Arthur added he'd like to keep the current side together for as long as possible.

"I don't think it affects any of the players," Arthur said.

"Maybe in the past, we've learned some lessons along the way but I think we're a bit more mature this year, the group.

"I'd like to keep it together, I think we've got a really good roster that is looking to improve.

"The boys are very professional. It's part of the landscape and some of these processes take longer than others but they always seem to work themselves out.

"Everyone knows what their job is and that's to get on with it and play for the team, the club and fans."