It’s been rugged but Cheyse is on
CHEYSE Blair is ready to embrace the hate.
When he runs out with the Melbourne Storm for the NRL grand final tomorrow, the parochial Sydney crowd is likely to be largely on the side of the Cronulla Sharks, with Blair on the side of the underdogs.
But the Bilambil product is used to overcoming the odds.
One of just two players from the tiny far northern NSW town to make the NRL – the other is Titan Ryan James – Blair has overcome plenty of odds, from making the NRL in the first place, to overcoming an addiction to antidepressants as a teenager, and fighting back from a career-threatening injury to reignite his career with the Storm.
This time last year, Blair didn’t know what his future held.
After playing the opening seven games of the year for Manly, a back injury cruelled his season and he wasn’t sure whether he would ink another NRL deal.
But Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy took a punt on the 24year-old, with the Storm signing him to a one-year deal.
And while niggling issues from his back injury meant he did not get his chance until Round 9, Blair made the most of his opportunity.
A pair of tries from the centre against the Sharks in Round 26 helped Melbourne seal the minor premiership and when the long-sleeved cult hero crossed against the Raiders last weekend, the Storm were headed to the grand final.
Blair will be a key weapon against the Sharks tomorrow and is not about to squander his grand final chance.
“It’s something not to take for granted,’’ Blair said.
“People always dream of playing a grand final and I know I’ve always wanted to, but going back to last June, not knowing what I was doing or where I was going to be after the pretty bad injury I had last year, it’s been real.’’ Blair has not only taken the chance to prove himself, he believes he has become a better player this season under Bellamy’s tutelage. “Definitely. Craig gave me a simple job and I stuck to it and here I am going to a grand final,’’ he said. “But at the start of the year I didn’t know what was going on because I was injured and I didn’t play until Round 9. “I only signed a one-year deal as well because they didn’t know how my back was going to go, but I’ve put pen to paper again already, so I’m here for another two to three years. “It’s good to know my future’s here, my future’s settled in Melbourne, especially with a little family now.’’ The birth of son Billy with partner Tamara Wheeler just a year ago changed Blair’s perspective on life and footy.
“Obviously I’ve grown up a lot in that regard with having a child – becoming a father and also coming down to Melbourne with the culture that’s set down here, it’s probably made me grow up a little bit more as well,’’ he said.
“That’s one thing that’s big down here, it’s the family club down here and that was one of the big decisions coming down (to Melbourne). They do a lot for your partner and kids as well.’’
Playing better footy as a father is something childhood mate James can relate to.
“We grew up in Bilambil together so I’ve known Cheyse since I was five years old and it’s great to see someone from Bilambil play in a grand final,’’ James said.
“I remember running into him at the Bilambil Juniors presentation and he had little Billy Blair there.
“I think (becoming a father) probably has changed him, it definitely changed me.
“I think Craig Bellamy has just been that coach that has got the best out of him.’’