THE “mutual respect” between Blake Ferguson and Leigh head coach Adrian Lam is bringing the best out of Centurions’ Australian star.

Ferguson has bagged nine tries in just four games including a latest brace in Leigh’s impressive 36-0 win over Halifax-the Panthers’ first defeat in nine games.

The 32-year-old former Kangaroos international arrived with a chequered best but has quickly become a firm favourite with the fans.

And with Championship leaders Featherstone next up for the Centurions on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm), the LSV faithful will be hoping for more of the same from their NRL Grand Final winner.

Leigh Journal:

“They’ve all been really understanding of me as a person,” said appreciative Ferguson.

“I know I can be a little bit difficult at times. But they’ve been really good with me.

“I’ve definitely felt the love since coming over.” On his relationship with Lam, Ferguson added: “Being coached by him is good for me because I respect him and he respects me. It’s mutual respect.

“It’s just up to me to repay him on the field. Adrian was my assistant coach for the Australian national team, so to be linking up with him again is a great feeling.

“He’s a great guy and I’ve had a great relationship with him for a long period of time.”

Both Leigh and Featherstone have chalked up two wins apiece since the 1895 AB Sundecks Cup final in London though Centurions’ 30-28 success at Barrow was too close for comfort.

“We know they’re going to come here fired up and hungry,” says Ferguson of Rovers’ impending visit.

“No one wants to lose in a major final. It is a terrible feeling to try and get over.

“So, we know we can’t rest on our laurels; no games are ever given to you.”

Lam was delighted by Leigh’s win over Halifax and wants more of the same on Monday.

“This is a top of the table clash and they’ll be looking to bounce back,” he said of Rovers’ visit.

“It’s another tough test but a challenge we’re all relishing.”

Leigh will kick-off one point behind their visitors but with a better but slender points difference of +4. Last month’s win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was their first in four attempts against the men from Post Office Road.

Leigh’s Nene Macdonald and Ryley Jacks of Featherstone currently top the Championship try scoring charts with 14 each.

*Former Sheffield, Hull FC, Wakefield and Bradford coach John Kear has been appointed as Widnes Vikings boss as successor to Simon Finnigan. Ex Leigh head coach John Duffy had previously been linked with the vacancy.