11 Jarryd Blair

Choose another player Ball, Luke - [12] Beams, Dayne - [17] Blair, Jarryd - [11] Brown, Nathan - [16] Buckley, Simon - [27] Ceglar, Jonathon - [29] Clarke, Martin - [9] Cloke, Travis - [32] Dawes, Chris - [31] Didak, Alan - [4] Elliott, Jamie - [35] Fasolo, Alex - [1] Gault, Corey - [44] Goldsack, Tyson - [6] Johnson, Ben - [26] Jolly, Darren - [18] Keeffe, Lachlan - [23] Krakouer, Andrew - [3] Macaffer, Brent - [30] Maxwell, Nick - [5] O'Brien, Heritier - [8] Paine, Jackson - [33] Pendlebury, Scott - [10] Reid, Ben - [20] Rounds, Luke - [14] Seedsman, Paul - [40] Shaw, Heath - [39] Sidebottom, Steele - [22] Sinclair, Ben - [28] Swan, Dane - [36] Tarrant, Chris - [2] Thomas, Dale - [13] Thomas, Josh - [24] Toovey, Alan - [34] Ugle, Kirk - [37] Wellingham, Sharrod - [21] Witts, Jarrod - [15] Wood, Cameron - [19] Yagmoor, Peter - [38] Young, Tom - [25]

The Player - A remarkable football story, rising from the rookie list to an AFL premiership in the space of 13 weeks in 2010. Made his name predominently as a midfielder in his debut year but spent more time as a small forward in 2011 where he found his niche via his tackling and forward pressure. Is strong over the ball and is a strong tackler. A smart player with a clever side-step that fools most of his opponents.

2011
Carried on his great form from 2010, opening the year with a place in the NAB Cup premiership win over Essendon, and booting 10 goals in the opening three rounds. A five-goal haul against Carlton (one Brownlow vote) made the rest of the competition stand up and take notice.

He was used as a substitute in the match against West Coast before being omitted for the match against St Kilda in round 11. Returned against Melbourne in round 12 and held his place for the rest of the season.

Bagged four goals in atrocious conditions against Port Adelaide (three Brownlow votes), was lively in the first final against the Eagles and won some important touches in the preliminary final. Was subdued on Grand Final day and eventually subbed off at three quarter time (three disposals).

Finished ninth in the Copeland Trophy, a testament to his consistency and importance to both the midfield and the forward line.

2010
Began the home and away season in the VFL and was selected for Victoria and was one of the best afield against Western Australia in the State of Origin. Named in the best in four of his nine VFL matches.

Was promoted to the senior list, and named as an emergency for the round 14 match against West Coast at Docklands. A Steele Sidebottom calf strain paved the way for Blair to debut, and he didn’t let anyone down in gathering 16 disposals, five tackles and a behind. He was omitted in round 19, but couldn’t be done without for the rest of the year.

He returned with 28 disposals, two goals and a Brownlow vote against Essendon, and held his place for the duration of the finals series. After only 12 games, he was a premiership player, had played in two Grand Finals and four finals in total. He kicked seven goals, including one early in the drawn Grand Final.

Became the first Collingwood premiership player to wear the guernsey No. 47.

2009
Spent the year in Collingwood’s VFL team under Gavin Brown. Played 20 of a possible 23 matches and was named in the best on nine occasions. Kicked 11 goals for the season, and impressed greatly with his ability to make an impact around the stoppages as well as his repeat efforts. Was one of the best players across the three finals.

2008
Co-captained (along with Tristan Francis) the Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup, averaging 22 disposals, four tackles and a goal a game. Tied for the Morrish Medal (best and fairest in the TAC Cup competition) with Farren Priest.

Was named as first rover in the TAC Cup Team of the Year, and was equal sixth in the TAC Coaches’ Award. Represented Vic Country at the AFL National U18 Championships. Drafted to Collingwood with selection 27 in the 2009 AFL Rookie Draft.

Debut
Round 14 2010 v West Coast at Docklands Stadium.

Draft History
2008 AFL Rookie Draft (Collingwood) No. 27 overall;
2010 rookie elevation (Collingwood) No. 91 overall.