#47,#11 Jarryd Blair

[Tannin]

He remained in the team every week last year and the year before when he clearly wasn't as good as two or three players he was keeping out. That's not his fault: he is a professional footballer and if the selection committee picks you, you turn up and play. that's your job.

This year, however, he has earned his place with good form and a genuine contribution. Yes, his form is still spotty and some weeks he achieves bugger all, but on average he's been better than anyone in the twos hungry for his spot. That all you need to do to get a game: be that little bit better than the kid next in line.

By the way, for all those complaining about his game v the Cats this week, yep, he was unsighted in the second quarter (and maybe the third and fourth as well, I haven't seen the second half yet) but the game was won and lost in the first quarter when we piled on a magnificent seven goals to one, and in that crucial first quarter, Blair was among our best. Whatever happened afterwards (or didn't happen), Blair was a big part of setting us up for the win. Credit where it is due please.

[thompsoc]

Oh Tannin
He was ordinary at best last night.
No other team would pick him up.
But he plays his role whatever that means!
Good luck to him for playing over 100 games.
But the problem is ....He is a dud!!!!

[Mugwump]

Both Malthouse and Buckley in turn have rated Blair in our best 22 and continued to pick him week-in, week-out. If he is the coach's pet, then he's had two very different owners, both of them very seasoned in what it takes to succeed. The boy must be doing a lot right for that to be the case.

What Tannin said above is also right. Blair, with Sidebottom, was instrumental in several early goals. He then continued to contribute in a slightly more low-key way for the rest of the evening. Dropped one sitter of a mark, as all players do from time to time. Even Pendlebury, a few weeks ago, dropped one. The Blair haters don't watch the game, they just look for failings, real or imagined, with which to beat one of our most dedicated players.

[Tannin]

Not in the first quarter when we won the game, Mr T. He was one of our four or five most influential players. I can't imagine him retaining his place once Caff is fit, but that's a debate for another year. He did his bit in 2010, and he's been serviceable for most of this year. At worst, he will be handy depth to cover injuries.

[Tannin]

Dropped one sitter of a mark, as all players do from time to time. Even Pendlebury, a few weeks ago, dropped one.

How was Moore's dropped chest mark! Blimey! It would have been a bad miss from a complete monga like me. For someone with his sublime hands, it was a corker! Reckon he'll get a ribbing over that one from the lads?

[thompsoc]

Both Malthouse and Buckley in turn have rated Blair in our best 22 and continued to pick him week-in, week-out. If he is the coach's pet, then he's had two very different owners, both of them very seasoned in what it takes to succeed. The boy must be doing a lot right for that to be the case.

What Tannin said above is also right. Blair, with Sidebottom, was instrumental in several early goals. He then continued to contribute in a slightly more low-key way for the rest of the evening. Dropped one sitter of a mark, as all players do from time to time. Even Pendlebury, a few weeks ago, dropped one. The Blair haters don't watch the game, they just look for failings, real or imagined, with which to beat one of our most dedicated players.

The Blair haters....what a boring statement.
And I never watch the game.
No, I watch the fat lady in the hot dog stand.
Seriously, have some balance please.

[Mugwump]

That explains it. You're confusing Jarryd Blair with the lady in the hot dog stand. Blair's the bloke wearing No 11 going round in the black and white. The lady in the hot dog stand is blonde that smells a bit like boiling pork. She's definitely not part of our best 22.

[thompsoc]

That explains it. You're confusing Jarryd Blair with the lady in the hot dog stand. Blair's the bloke wearing No 11 going round in the black and white. The lady in the hot dog stand is blonde that smells a bit like boiling pork. She's definitely not part of our best 22.

That is really funny.
Great come back line.
I concede I can't beat that.
I promise I won't post in this thread again.
You win.

[E]

Both Malthouse and Buckley in turn have rated Blair in our best 22 and continued to pick him week-in, week-out. If he is the coach's pet, then he's had two very different owners, both of them very seasoned in what it takes to succeed. The boy must be doing a lot right for that to be the case.

What Tannin said above is also right. Blair, with Sidebottom, was instrumental in several early goals. He then continued to contribute in a slightly more low-key way for the rest of the evening. Dropped one sitter of a mark, as all players do from time to time. Even Pendlebury, a few weeks ago, dropped one. The Blair haters don't watch the game, they just look for failings, real or imagined, with which to beat one of our most dedicated players.

I will say that I am very much in the Blair fan side of this debate (which is probably the most divisive issue we have discussed this year).

I agree he was good in the first quarter and he has obvious and valuable skills that help a team (but might not win a person a brownlow).

I will say though, there were more than a handful of occasions where Blair attacked the ball on Friday night and after we lost possession of the ball, or never got possession of the ball, I was left wondering what would have happened if it wasn't Blair in that situation. In my mind it was an off night for him.

I put him in the same boat as Sinclair though. He might not be good enough to retain a spot in our next premiership, but he is very likely to keep getting 10-15 games a year for the next couple of years because you never can get a best 22 on the park for long stretches and his work ethic and ability to make the most of his talent makes him a positive influence on a list, especially a young and talented list.

[Collingwood Crackerjack]

Both Malthouse and Buckley in turn have rated Blair in our best 22 and continued to pick him week-in, week-out. If he is the coach's pet, then he's had two very different owners, both of them very seasoned in what it takes to succeed. The boy must be doing a lot right for that to be the case.

What Tannin said above is also right. Blair, with Sidebottom, was instrumental in several early goals. He then continued to contribute in a slightly more low-key way for the rest of the evening. Dropped one sitter of a mark, as all players do from time to time. Even Pendlebury, a few weeks ago, dropped one. The Blair haters don't watch the game, they just look for failings, real or imagined, with which to beat one of our most dedicated players.

I will say that I am very much in the Blair fan side of this debate (which is probably the most divisive issue we have discussed this year).

I agree he was good in the first quarter and he has obvious and valuable skills that help a team (but might not win a person a brownlow).

I will say though, there were more than a handful of occasions where Blair attacked the ball on Friday night and after we lost possession of the ball, or never got possession of the ball, I was left wondering what would have happened if it wasn't Blair in that situation. In my mind it was an off night for him.

I put him in the same boat as Sinclair though. He might not be good enough to retain a spot in our next premiership, but he is very likely to keep getting 10-15 games a year for the next couple of years because you never can get a best 22 on the park for long stretches and his work ethic and ability to make the most of his talent makes him a positive influence on a list, especially a young and talented list.

And thats the thing for me; Blair works so hard without the ball, that sometimes it seems he is our only go-to target because he is the only one presenting....

Which is all well and good, but it doesn't make him taller or quicker, so when they kick it to him, unless the kick is perfect, we are pushing shit uphill to retain possession.

Happened a few times early in the 1st quarter.

The ideal solution would be to have more players working harder to present an option, Cloke is a champ at this aspect, but if he is out, Blair shouldn't be playing his role.

But none of this is Blairs fault really, is it? Can't blame a man for working hard.

I just think his weaknesses are sometimes exposed by his hard work, ironically enough

[Dangles]

"You gotta go": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ljofNw4PoOw

[Member 7167]

If you combine E's, Mugwumps and Crackerjack's comments it sums up the situation.

It it all very nice for some to judge him as inadequate but as stated above two coaches play him the vast majority of the time as there are no better options.

Some here need to show Blair a bit of respect or at the very least acknowledge his contribution over the years and not cherry pick his failings.

[Albert Parker]

^Well said

[Pies2016]

[quote="Member 7167"]If you combine E's, Mugwumps and Crackerjack's comments it sums up the situation.

It it all very nice for some to judge him as inadequate but as stated above two coaches play him the vast majority of the time as there are no better options.

Some here need to show Blair a bit of respect or at the very least acknowledge his contribution over the years and not cherry pick his failings.[/quote]

^^^^^

Good call. As in all walks of life, fixation clouds objectivity.

[Big T]

I believe he should be kept for depth, but should not he in our best 22. If he is, then our list is too weak.