MOVE IS A CASE OF BAD TIMING
GRIFFITH University Colleges skipper Matt Blair will run out for his last Gold Coast District Rugby Union game in Knights colours this afternoon ahead of a move to London.
The news is bittersweet for Blair, who has scored a sensational career opportunity as a financial products analyst in Bloomberg’s graduate program but will have to depart his beloved club’s best premiership chance in 22 years.
“It is a great opportunity but it’s really tough leaving the boys obviously because of where we’re at in the season,” said the 25-year-old outside back.
“Being in the grand final the last two years and pulling up a bit short, I thought this was going to be the year and then I got this news (in late May) and it was sort of like, you have got to take it when it’s there.
“It’s tough but I think the boys are in good hands with Herls (head coach Graham Herlihy) and the other coaching staff.”
The Knights fell to their first defeat of the season last weekend at the hands of Surfers Paradise but Blair remains certain they can end their first-grade silverware drought.
“There’s that belief that we can do it,” he said.
“We knocked them off earlier in the year, Surfers, and unfortunately went down to them last weekend.
“But I really genuinely think that the boys have got that belief that if it is going to be any year, it will be this year.”
A former Helensvale and Brothers player, Blair has been at Colleges since the start of 2016 and will take on last-placed Bond Pirates in his farewell match at Heeb St.
“I’d like to go out there and share that last game with the boys that I really enjoyed playing with for the last two or three years,” he said of his desired swansong.
“A couple of meat pies wouldn’t go astray but just get the win and keep building towards the back end of the season.”
Blair is due to fly out next Saturday.