The Blair Watch Project

[Shanghai Charlie]

Id like this thread to run right through the season for brutally honest and fair appraisal of Blair's performance on a week by week basis. I want the spotlight to be on him and I want his effort and output analysed. We will never get our 500K value from him. What I want is just a guy playing at a first grade standard and with that expected level of skill, commitment and desire - something he has not done since he has arrived despite the ongoing media interviews where he has constantly referred to a slow start, leadership aspirations, difficulty fitting in with the new structures and role and his need to lift.

Does this guy actually have any game or is he the biggest myth ever to tie on a pair of boots?

I suggest the latter.

Let this season once and for all reveal the truth.

 

[Matchball]

It's make or break for him. Either impress immensely and solely win us the grand final or next contract will be in England for match payments.

 

[Ghipo]

Can't see Blair playing anywhere near his price tag again this year.

But I am happy to be proven wrong just can't see it happening after watching him closely in both trials and the nines there is nothing to indicated Blair will be any better this year.

 

[DanOz]

I think the criticism of Blair has been unjust. It's not his fault the club signed him for overs. Blair was never sensational. Watching old Storm games he gave them as much value as he gives us when he is playing in the front row. He is an average first grader, the problem is we are paying him to be a superstar.

 

[Tiger05]

I think the criticism of Blair has been unjust.
.....
He is an average first grader, the problem is we are paying him to be a superstar.

Yes the club is to blame however he is being paid like he is a really good player when he isn't. The criticism isn't unjust its fair.

On the positives I think he has a great play the ball and is fairly quick, good on his feet and skillful for a prop. Defensively he isn't great and despite those attributes listed above he isn't the player who consistently will get you 100 metres per game. He is like a good role player in a team with a good pack of forwards.

I'm not sure that he deserves a spot in the team based on what he brings us. I think we have better options at prop and probably at lock (playing as a 3rd prop) as well and this is including the reserves. I see no point in playing him out wide.

I'd love to see him kill it for us however I reckon we will be relying on Woods, Galloway and players like Sue, Ava, Tapau and Gavat to get us going forward much more than Blair.

 

[BuffaloRules]

When I am watching this imposter play, I often think back to the reaction here when it was announced that we were signing him...

Someone referred to him as the best forward in the world...

If it wasn't so sad it would be funny...

The so and so will still be here next year bleeding the team dry...

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Must play prop or the hybrid number 13/prop nowhere near a fringe to get any value.
Played at first grade standard when Potter had him there last season.

 

[gronkathon]

Don't care if he pays to his pay grade.

Only care if he performs and puts in.

I don't think he is capable of playing to the pay level anymore

 

[BrotherJim05]

He really needs to come out with a bang rd1. Shorter stints in rotation with Sue could actually make impact

 

[Tiger05]

I don't think he is capable of playing to the pay level anymore

This is what I think. I don't think he has the ability.

 

[innsaneink]

We have a lot of Blairs.

Forget the f**ken sentiment

Galloway
Lawrence
Moltzen
Anasta
even Farah to an extent....needs to re invent himself....they all need to pull digits out

Theyre pretty much the past.

....then theres the young guys, who are the future

 

[Marshall_magic]

When he came to us, he looked to shed a lot of weight, and play a different role to what he did at the Storm. This is why Sheens is a first class grade A moron, why would you pay big bucks for a player and then get them to play a role that he does not play at the moment. It is on par with the idea to buy Jamal Lolesi and play him in the back row. I know Blair has the ability, he showed that at the Storm, he looks to have bulked up again, so we can only hope Potter will use him correctly this season.

 

[Tiger05]

^^^

I just think he is an average player.

 

[benched tiger]

He does looked to of bulked up,hopefully his attitude has changed,for too long we have had players picked on reputation rather than merit.

 

[Radical Rat]

I've beens saying for ages he needs to add an offload to his game. He already has a really quick the play the ball which is good. If he could add an offload to get some second phase play going then he will be bringing a lot more to the table.

 

[benched tiger]

^
I just think he is an average player.

I think your spot on,he is just not worth the amount of coin we have him on for an average footballer, but it's not his fault that some body wanted to throw an obscene amount at him to sign with WT, but its hard to swallow knowing Gibbs and Fifita were released to accommodate him!...hence the amount of flack he cops for being a dud !:crazy:

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Really should just have stayed on the team bus. Four ineffective runs, 24 tackles. Plenty of arm grabs, seldom makes initial contact, playing too wide of he ruck to avoid work and his alltime favourite of pressure on the kicker where he fails to recover in time for a hitup in the next set of six. Good thing is Potter gave him plenty of time on the bench.

Forwards were terrible tonight. He was just one of a terrible bunch.

 

[Tiger05]

He did what I expected. A couple of decent runs and a couple of decent tackles. This is the sort of player that he is. If other players step up he fits right in. If you are looking for a forward leader then you have the wrong guy.

 

[Wizardman]

Blair got paid $4807 per run today.....lol

 

[hutch]

I can't wait til this merkin is gone. He will struggle to get another nrl contract anywhere.