Blair

[tig_prmz]

http://www.nrl.com/blair-ready-to-step-up-for-new-look-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/70877/default.aspx

Blair ready to step up for new-look Tigers
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Steve Jancetic AAP Tue, Feb 26, 2013 - 1:57 PM

Kiwi international Adam Blair believes he went away from the very things that secured his big-money move to Wests Tigers and he's determined to make amends in the 2013 NRL season.

By the time Blair found his feet last year, the Tigers' season was gone and the one-time premiership favourites failed to even secure a finals berth.

Blair was seen as the missing ingredient in a Tigers pack which lacked flair and size on the edge of the ruck - exactly the elements the ball-playing back-rower displayed in seven successful seasons with Melbourne.

But Blair failed to make the sort of impact he or the Tigers faithful had hoped for following his much-hyped recruitment with a price tag which cost the club popular props Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita.

"There was a bit of hype around myself. The only person I need to prove anything to is myself and I let myself down last year," Blair said.

"Coming from Melbourne, I did things there that made me the player I was and I think I went away from that last year.

"I got better later on in the season but, by then, it was too late.

"We had a disappointing year and so did I. I've worked hard in the pre-season and so has the team to correct the wrongs."

But not only does Blair have to lift his level of performance to match his own expectations, he will also be called on by new coach Michael Potter to help fill the void left by departed back-rower Gareth Ellis.

Englishman Ellis, who was the Tigers' player of the year in three of his four seasons in Australia, gave the side a hard edge now seemingly lacking in a youthful forward pack.

"I've had my year to settle in here. I think it's time for me to start leading as one of the guys that has played a bit of footy," Blair said.

"Having a younger group, especially in the forwards, it's time that I need to step up and stamp my authority as one of the leaders in the group."

___

im hoping to see a much bigger and improved seasons from both blair and galloway. blair has the size and if he runs hard and straight, his offloading and footwork at the line abilities will put us on the frontfoot quite often.

 

[OutbackJack]

He is starting to sound like 'Gunna Marshall', in that he's gunna step up etc etc … Just show us on the field what you can do Adam and we will take it from there.

 

[bonstonker]

"I've had my year to settle in here. I think it's time for me to start leading as one of the guys that has played a bit of footy," Blair said.

"Having a younger group, especially in the forwards, it's time that I need to step up and stamp my authority as one of the leaders in the group."

well you might want to start by hitting up more than twice from inside your 40.
6 hitups is not what i call leading.
and neither is standing behind 2 other players coming out our end,or standing where your fullback is.
doesn't even have a 1% chance of touching the ball no matter what happens in the play.

so far it is exactly like last year.
6 hitups for 40 yards.

 

[LaT]

Trial form aside, I'll be giving him a clean slate for 2013 and hope he find some form.

Last year wasn't the best he can play and its got to hurt a player hearing everyone from commentators and journos through to fans bagging you out.

 

[quintus]

The club must be prodding the players to make these statements….surely. They are becoming very monotonous....to me anyway.

 

[1_4_chicken_chips]

Blair should be in the middle of the park,he simply isn't quick enough
To be l
Out wide with the pacier backs.the kiwis had him in the middle in the one off test and he went well.its a no brainer to me and until they wake up to it BLair will never earn his icon at Weststigers

 

[LaT]

The club must be prodding the players to make these statements….surely. They are becoming very monotonous....to me anyway.

Its not like players call press conferences to make inane statements. But it is a players responsibility to make themselves available at times for reporters reheated questions over and over.

Plus they all have media training to ensure they don't say something stupid. Take a look at whenever a player gives an honest answer and gets absolutely shredded by fans and the media. The characters are practically taken out of the game these days.

 

[quintus]

The club must be prodding the players to make these statements….surely. They are becoming very monotonous....to me anyway.

Its not like players call press conferences to make inane statements. But it is a players responsibility to make themselves available at times for reporters reheated questions over and over.

Plus they all have media training to ensure they don't say something stupid. Take a look at whenever a player gives an honest answer and gets absolutely shredded by fans and the media. The characters are practically taken out of the game these days.

Are you specifically addressing me with your insight on how the reporters get their information or are you talking in general to the forum as a whole. If you are targetting me alone….Don't waste your time :laughing:

 

[LaT]

Helping you is a waste of time? Fine by me.

 

[Newtown]

Blair should be in the middle of the park,he simply isn't quick enough
To be l
Out wide with the pacier backs.the kiwis had him in the middle in the one off test and he went well.its a no brainer to me and until they wake up to it BLair will never earn his icon at Weststigers

It is cerainly a no-brainer that Blair should be playing in the middle of the park keeping a tight forward defence and taking the ball up straight and hard. But he was not not doing that last Saturday. He seemed to be in second gear as usual leaving all the hard yakka to Galloway. What is Blair talking about? I hope Potter is aware of this and does not give him any favours because of his price tag. If BMM received a blast last week so too should have Blair, more so in fact.

 

[stryker]

This team over the past few years to me resemble the mouthy young bloke down the boozer who talks tough to all and sundry but when the acid is applied and someone takes him up on his offer and drags him out to the carpark he craps his dacks and turns to water.

How many articles and interviews have these blokes given this year already? What about last year in the week leading up to our last game when half a dozen of them talked us up and then forgot to play football on the day? It is getting embarrassing.
For mine the only time to bet on this side to get the cash is when they have had bigger all media coverage in the preceding week.

For gods sakes, DO YOUR BLOODY TALKING ON THE FIELD!

 

[Newtown]

100% agree Stryker. Talk is cheap.

 

[gallagher]

He is starting to sound like 'Gunna Marshall', in that he's gunna step up etc etc … Just show us on the field what you can do Adam and we will take it from there.

Gunna Marshall? As in gunna win a comp,gunna captain my country to a successful world cup, gunna win a golden boot? That Marshall?

 

[barra]

I think the reference is how Benji has come out the last couple of years and said it would be his best year or he was ready to play his best ever footy etc. I am a huge Benji fan but it got me cringing somewhat… And I agree that they should let their on-field display do the talking!

On to Blair, I think #13 suits him better but he does need to work harder, still shuffles backwards into the line too much for me and doesn't usually get an offload away anyhow. I'd rather jus tput his head down and run hard. And more.

 

[Frank_the_tank]

Adam all you have to do is keep your mouth shut and play good footy like you are being paid to do. If the last trial game is any indication then you could be in for a longer season than 2012.

If I was your coach you'd be on notice.

 

[stevetiger]

Blair should be in the middle of the park

I think he goes better there as well. I think we wanted a backrower ala Ellis but he isn't like that at all. Why not play him as a reserve prop or maybe a lock like Gallen.

 

[innsaneink]

Helping you is a waste of time? Fine by me.

Dot worry, Im sure many others appreciated it and maybe werent even aware…imo your post is spot on

 

[innsaneink]

This team over the past few years to me resemble the mouthy young bloke down the boozer who talks tough to all and sundry but when the acid is applied and someone takes him up on his offer and drags him out to the carpark he craps his dacks and turns to water.

How many articles and interviews have these blokes given this year already? What about last year in the week leading up to our last game when half a dozen of them talked us up and then forgot to play football on the day? It is getting embarrassing.
For mine the only time to bet on this side to get the cash is when they have had bigger all media coverage in the preceding week.

For gods sakes, DO YOUR BLOODY TALKING ON THE FIELD!

While I agree in principle, Its not the players, its the club…Im sure the players would LOVE doing no media....but the club wants the exposure, for sponsors, memberships etc etc
They gotta talk it up....

Its called spin

 

[tig_prmz]

yeh i agree with LaT as well.

what do you expect them to say when they are asked the questions?

i dont have that much of a problem with their talking… it's part of their job- promoting the club, promoting the match, promoting the game etc.

we probably pay more attention to how much our guys talk coz we dont pay too much attention at what players from other teams say. im sure other teams talk as much as us- it's just that we dont see it

 

[quintus]

Thanks to all those who helped me out but I already knew how the system works. There is nothing in my post but a simple statement which has been misconstrued. :sign: