Melbourne centre Cheyse Blair has come a long way this season and isn’t about to take a backward step in the NRL grand final, even if Cronulla hit-man Andrew Fifita is standing in his way.
Blair found himself in hot water with Storm coach Craig Bellamy following their final round battle with Cronulla when he and Jordan McLean rubbed Fifita’s head after the prop dropped a ball in the final minute.
Blair said he was giving Fifita some of “his own medicine”, although Bellamy said there was no place for such behaviour.
In their Sunday rematch in the title decider, Blair is well aware he may have a target on him.
“I’d say so; it will probably be in the back of his (Fifita’s) mind,” said Blair, who scored two tries in that match in his best performance of the season.
“He’s out there to do a job and he’ll be trying to get in someone’s head but I’ll just be concentrating on what I do.”
Blair’s path to the grand final has been a rocky one, the Storm being his fourth NRL club.
In his final season in Manly before being thrown a career lifeline by Melbourne he only managed seven games due to a debilitating back injury.
After joining the Sydney Roosters as a schoolboy, shifting from his Tweed Heads home, Blair couldn’t crack first grade and found himself addicted to anti-depressants.
“I was young and I didn’t know what I was doing,” Blair said.
“I got some help and it was all good.
“People don’t say anything but I know that depression is big in footy but footy players keep it in.”
He said it has made it more aware of his teammates who also may be doing it tough through non-selection or injury or other personal issues.
“If you see something, say something – ask if everything’s sweet,” he said.
But life is good for Blair now.
Recently signing a three-year deal, he’s injury free and is loving life in Melbourne with his partner Tamara and baby boy Billy. A premiership would top it off.
“I’m happy where I am and life is great,” he said.
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