Phil Rothfield on how Ben Barba, Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson have grabbed their second chance Dragons fullback Josh Dugan celebrates scoring against the Knights on Saturday night. Josh Dugan (front) and Blake Ferguson on the roof. GAME two of the Origin series could feature a player who recently worked as a builder's labourer and another who spent a fortnight in a rehab clinic.Throw in another who spent time in reserve grade and almost had his contract shredded at the Raiders. The best thing about rugby league is that it's a game of second chances that rarely turns its back on anyone. You can fall off the wagon but there is always someone there to pick you up. Just ask Josh Dugan, Ben Barba and Blake Ferguson. Check out the photo on the right. You could be forgiven for thinking Dugan and Ferguson are deadbeats and hopeless cases. Who would have thought a couple of months later they'd be where they are now. Ferguson is already in the NSW State of Origin team and there's every chance Dugan will join him as a replacement for injured Jarryd Hayne. Blues coach Laurie Daley yesterday confirmed he had no issues with reuniting the booze brothers as part of the NSW Origin campaign. This is despite many believing they only got their careers back on track because they were separated and no longer led each other astray. Daley doesn't care about the past. The roof drinking, being thrown out of nightclubs or rock concerts. He's coached both before and knows their ability far outweighs past indiscretions. The Blues coach says Hayne will be given every possible hope to recover from his hamstring injury. "But if Jarryd doesn't make it, it wouldn't worry me in the slightest to have Blake and Duges in the same team," Daley said. They've both worked extremely hard to get themselves back in order and we've all got to accept people will make mistakes. Rugby league players are no different to other young people, except their issues get highlighted and everyone hears about them. It's how you come back from these mistakes that counts. Dugan is an absolutely remarkable comeback story. To think that 10 weeks ago the Raiders didn't want him. And then the Broncos turned him away for another Twitter tirade. He settled for work in Canberra as a builder's labourer and a painter just to pay the mortgage and other bills. Now he's on the verge of playing in NSW's biggest Origin game in almost a decade. "He's got plenty of ability - we all know that," Daley said. The year I had Duges in the Country team he got man of the match. I think both he and Blake have realised you've got to work hard for opportunities in this game. They could eventually finish up as great examples for younger players on what you can achieve if you get your head right. The Maroons have a similar story. A couple of months ago the Dally M champion Barba was checked into a rehabilitation clinic. He'd gone off the rails in the off-season, so much so that the Bulldogs suspended him. On Saturday night in Townsville he was back to his brilliant best, carving up the Cowboys to grab the first of his two tries. Queensland desperately need an injection of attacking spark from the bench and Barba could be the man to provide it. Like the NSW boys, he's got that special talent and skill for the highest level. It has just been a tough ride over lots of hurdles to get there. Why is NRL not utilising a grand old ground like the SCG SYDNEY is lucky to have such magnificent major sporting facilities, even allowing for the fact many of our suburban grounds are run down. The atmosphere on Origin night at ANZ Stadium is a good as it gets, especially now that Blatchy's Blues has grown to a 15,000-strong army. Now comes the news that the Sydney Cricket Ground's 100th cricket Test has been named winner of the prestigious Sports Event of the Year Award at the global 2013 Stadium Awards in England. This is no mean feat. The award covers the best sporting event held at a stadium, arena or major sports venue last year. The 100th Test, played between Australia and India, beat the Super Bowl XLVI, NBA All-Star game, and London Olympics Super Saturday. Previous winners were the FIFA World Cup Final in South Africa and the UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium. Sydney's Test was highlighted by the record-breaking innings of 329 not out played by Australian captain Michael Clarke. So why, outside of the Swans and a cricket Test, does the SCG sit empty for much of the year. It's time the NRL brought some nostalgia back to the premiership. Why not use the venue for three double-headers between traditional Sydney rivals over the season. Why not let kids and their mums and dads onto the field at fulltime to soak up some of the old memories. Even have a weekend footy festival at the venue with Friday night, Saturday and Sunday double-headers. Josh Dugan and Ben Barba's slashing performances on Saturday night for the Dragons and the Bulldogs. No footy in Sydney this afternoon on a beautiful public holiday Monday. Surely the NRL and the broadcasters could have scheduled one game. It's not that hard to tell why the Cowboys are struggling this year. Their Test front-rowers Matt Scott and James Tamou have done little all season. Combined they couldn't even make 180m against the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Compare that to Blues props Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita who individually make nearly 200m every week. If a Kangaroos team was being chosen this week, NSW would get at least six of the 13 starting positions. Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris on the wings, Greg Bird, Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen in the back-row and James Tamou at prop. It wasn't that long ago Gallen was the only Blues player in the side. The Panthers have known for a long time that rookie fullback Matt Moylan was a boom prospect. So why wasn't he included in the NRL team salary cap like every other club does with their best young players? Blaming injuries is a smokescreen.