Under AFL rules, each club is able to nominate one rookie-listed player to be elevated and made eligible for senior selection at the conclusion of round 11, with Blair earning elevation having performed extremely well for the VFL Magpies over the past 18 months.
The 20-year-old, who won the Morrish Medal as the best-and-fairest player in Victoria’s elite TAC Cup under 18 competition while playing for Gippsland Power in 2008, is the shortest player on Collingwood’s list at just 172cm.??
Selected by the club with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 rookie draft, Blair has enjoyed a strong season with the VFL averaging 22 disposals as an inside midfielder.??
“Gavin Brown has been very happy with him and he deserves his chance,” the club’s chief of football Geoff Walsh told Collingwoodfc.com.au.
“His form has been very consistent. He has always been in the top two or three in the VFL.??
“All the coaches who have seen him play throughout the year have been happy with his progression. He is a kid who has done everything he can to improve himself.”
Blair’s ability was highlighted earlier in the season when he was selected to represent Victoria in the state representative clash against Western Australia. Named in the side’s best, Blair accumulated 28 disposals in Victoria’s 54-point win.??
Blair has been named as an emergency for Saturday night’s clash along with fellow second-year player Luke Rounds and ruckman Josh Fraser.
