Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,120
- 33,258
ADAM Blair has become Brisbane’s most influential prop since Shane Webcke with the Kiwi enforcer possessing a superior finals record to Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston.
At rock bottom at Wests Tigers 12 months ago, the resurgent Blair goes into Saturday night’s Queensland derby boasting the best finals record of any Cowboys or Broncos player.
The 114kg front-row bruiser has a near flawless playoff portfolio, having won seven of 10 finals for a 70 per cent success rate, underlining his big-match credentials.
Webcke is widely-regarded as Brisbane’s greatest prop, but not even he enjoyed Blair’s success on the sudden-death stage, winning 12 of 25 finals for a 48 per cent strike-rate.
Even Thurston, who is charging towards a record fourth Dally M Medal, cannot match Blair, winning eight of 15 playoff matches for a 53 per cent success rate.
Thurston and Webcke’s numbers illustrate just how difficult it is to consistently win finals games - and why Broncos teammates believe Blair has given the club a title-winning hard edge.
“Adam has brought a lot to our pack,” said Brisbane back-rower Alex Glenn.
“I love it when he gets up us, it brings out the aggression in you.
“Adam is so great in the ruck, he controls the ruck so well with his wrestle game from his days at the Storm ... he really has taught us a lot.”
Blair’s finals record can be largely attributed to his presence during Melbourne’s golden years between 2006-11, but seldom was he a passenger in star-studded Storm outfits.
It was Blair’s fusion of power and finesse that helped the Storm to the 2009 premiership. In the grand final, he scored a first-try half before setting up Billy Slater for the 55th minute four-pointer that broke Parramatta’s hearts in the 23-16 victory.
Now at the Broncos, Blair has taken the professionalism and will-to-win he learned under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and injected it into Brisbane’s rejuvenated football unit.
“We have the hunger to win it,” Blair said. “That is the ultimate goal and our work ethic has got us to where we are now.
“My time at Melbourne taught me mental toughness. I learned that when times are tough, you have to push that little bit extra just to help your teammates.
“I have carried that attitude throughout my career and I’m glad it’s working for me today at the Broncos.”
Blair had a slow start at Red Hill but lock Corey Parker lauded him as one of the buys of the season.
“When I found out he was coming to the Broncos, I was excited to have him on board,” Parker said.
“He has copped some criticism from time to time but he is just the ultimate professional and brings that experience you can’t buy.
“He comes from a very good background at Melbourne and he has a lot of good traits that helps at this stage of the season.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...-nrl-title-hopes/story-fniabm4i-1227520593204
At rock bottom at Wests Tigers 12 months ago, the resurgent Blair goes into Saturday night’s Queensland derby boasting the best finals record of any Cowboys or Broncos player.
The 114kg front-row bruiser has a near flawless playoff portfolio, having won seven of 10 finals for a 70 per cent success rate, underlining his big-match credentials.
Webcke is widely-regarded as Brisbane’s greatest prop, but not even he enjoyed Blair’s success on the sudden-death stage, winning 12 of 25 finals for a 48 per cent strike-rate.
Even Thurston, who is charging towards a record fourth Dally M Medal, cannot match Blair, winning eight of 15 playoff matches for a 53 per cent success rate.
Thurston and Webcke’s numbers illustrate just how difficult it is to consistently win finals games - and why Broncos teammates believe Blair has given the club a title-winning hard edge.
“Adam has brought a lot to our pack,” said Brisbane back-rower Alex Glenn.
“I love it when he gets up us, it brings out the aggression in you.
“Adam is so great in the ruck, he controls the ruck so well with his wrestle game from his days at the Storm ... he really has taught us a lot.”
Blair’s finals record can be largely attributed to his presence during Melbourne’s golden years between 2006-11, but seldom was he a passenger in star-studded Storm outfits.
It was Blair’s fusion of power and finesse that helped the Storm to the 2009 premiership. In the grand final, he scored a first-try half before setting up Billy Slater for the 55th minute four-pointer that broke Parramatta’s hearts in the 23-16 victory.
Now at the Broncos, Blair has taken the professionalism and will-to-win he learned under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and injected it into Brisbane’s rejuvenated football unit.
“We have the hunger to win it,” Blair said. “That is the ultimate goal and our work ethic has got us to where we are now.
“My time at Melbourne taught me mental toughness. I learned that when times are tough, you have to push that little bit extra just to help your teammates.
“I have carried that attitude throughout my career and I’m glad it’s working for me today at the Broncos.”
Blair had a slow start at Red Hill but lock Corey Parker lauded him as one of the buys of the season.
“When I found out he was coming to the Broncos, I was excited to have him on board,” Parker said.
“He has copped some criticism from time to time but he is just the ultimate professional and brings that experience you can’t buy.
“He comes from a very good background at Melbourne and he has a lot of good traits that helps at this stage of the season.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...-nrl-title-hopes/story-fniabm4i-1227520593204
