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.
Ken
Guest
Like he did in the minor premiership game when he scored 2 tries against them ,maybe you mean they will have their hands full with someone who's 6"5 playing in the centres and 105 kgs .
Ken
Guest
Nah he's just salty the storm with the best defence an the 4 th best attack in the comp hint CRONULLA HAD THE 3rd best attack are boring lol , how funny the media can say something an the sheep repeat it ,guilty of wrestling ? Canberra Wrestled more than the storm an gave away more penalties ,they introduced wrestling ? No that was the Broncos on the late 90's unde Wayne Bennett ,storm just improved on it.,wow winning boring as opposed to losing excitingly lol ,idiot .
Albo
Guest
I think Cheyse Blair will have his hands full trying to contain and beat Jack Bird and Luke Lewis to even have time to think about Fifita !
Brendon
Guest
I'm going to guess you'd rather read about Fifita supporting a killer or something? Why post stupid comments. You don't like the Storm, and that's fine, but rubbish like that, its nonsensical and just annoying.
JVGO
Guest
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. The Storm are so exciting aren't they.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Cheyse Blair has been a success story in Melbourne. Really sums up the Storm and Bellamy mentality of getting the best out of players. Read in another story how he was one of the 13 dumped by Ricky Stuart using an overhead projector in front of all the other players and staff at the Eels. I like what Ricky Stuart has done as a coach this year but I thought that had to be a pretty crap thing to do as a coach to your players or anyone for that matter. I don't think anyone in their right mind would take it too well if during a staff meeting the boss puts up a list on projector of all the people in the room who will be losing their jobs. I guess he got his revenge by running in the winning try against the Raiders last week. Glad that he has found a place in the Storm system and is happy with life and hope to see more of him in the coming 3 years.