HEROIC Wonthaggi Power leader Jarryd Blair was invited back to the great Collingwood Football Club during the week to present two jumpers to two new players at the Magpies, experienced Brisbane recruit Daniel McStay, who was taking over his Number 11 guernsey, and the pacey former GWS forward Bobby Hill who received the Number 23.
Blair was welcomed back into the fold by Collingwood coach Craig McRae and initially made light of his own career at the Pies before bringing it home with a strong message about coming to the club with the mindset of being a great team player as the ideal foundation for a successful career.
“You asked ‘Dutchy’ to describe himself as a player and I got to thinking what I was as a player and I think the best way to describe myself was probably as a decoy forward. Just about everyone was pretty keen for me to get the hell out of the way, work up, make some space and let these boys do their thing.”
It brought a warm laugh from the assembled players, but they couldn’t have helped notice that Blair made the self-effacing remarks against the projected backdrop of his career stats at Collingwood; 143 games and 110 goals between 2010 and 2018, crucially including a premiership in 2010 and life membership of the club.
“Ex-Wonthaggi and Gippsland Under 18s player, the tiny Jarryd Blair confounded perennial critics that he was too small to make it. He won the Morrish Medal in the TAC Cup Reserve Grade competition in 2008. Blessed with a good step that could get him out of the traffic, Blair constantly impressed in the VFL without getting a senior chance,” said the club tribute to Blair.
“His ability to win his own ball earned him a senior spot in 2010 and he was part of the premiership team. He admitted six months later that he had thought he would miss out again and hoped to do enough in the VFL for the Magpies to keep him on the books. He developed a defensive mindset that meant he could also take on other roles.”
Jarryd Blair then held the floor with some well-chosen remarks about the “first class” experience the new players would get before huge crowds in the Collingwood guernsey and the historical perspective of being the next to fill the time-honoured jumpers.
“But, you know, I think that it was something that I took great pride in, to able to play a role for the side. Like ‘Dutchy’ you take great interest in the footy club and the jumper that you wore and the role that you played and I think it's a great foundation to come in with the mindset that you just want to be a great team player and a team contributor.
“And that's just a good foundation to build your career off and then take the opportunity to enhance the legacy of this jumper. For me, it was a club great in Shane O’Bree who wore this for over 200 games. And for me, it was a massive honour to be able to spend some time in this.
“And I think as you get older you realize that this (jumper) is still going to be here in 150 years’ time and someone else is going to be getting the opportunity to represent this great footy club.”
He acknowledged that McStay had already played 150 games for Brisbane, but noted he was likely to get a completely different experience when he ran out in the black and white.
“But I reckon the experience you're gonna get tomorrow night is a first class AFL experience and I think you'll obviously acknowledge and appreciate how lucky you are for that opportunity."
Blair also had the opportunity to present the Number 23 guernsey to a player more of his own stature, Bobby Hill, coming across from GWS after 41 games and 34 goals as a pacey, small forward.
He encouraged Hill to grab the fresh start with both hands and make his mark at Collingwood after being selected on a half forward flank against Geelong in Round 1.
