Maurice Blair


Maurice "Bobby" Blair is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays in the for the Northern Pride in the QRL State competition. He has previously played for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, Blair has also played for the Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League.

Background

Blair was born in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. Blair played his junior football with the Maryborough Rovers, before signing with the Souths Logan Magpies.

Playing career

Penrith Panthers (2007-10)

He made his début in round 15 of the 2007 NRL season, playing for the Penrith Panthers against the New Zealand Warriors. He made a total of nine appearances for Penrith and scored six tries for the club in his debut year as they finished last on the table and claimed the wooden spoon.

Melbourne Storm (2011-13)

Blair signed for the Melbourne Storm for the 2011 NRL season.
He made his début for the Storm against the Brisbane Broncos later in the same season. In his first two years at the club, Blair played sporadically for the first grade team but in the 2014 NRL season he played in Melbourne's finals campaign. He scored a try for Melbourne in their elimination final against the Newcastle Knights.

Gold Coast Titans (2014)

Blair spent the 2014 NRL season at the Gold Coast Titans as they finished 14th on the table.

Hull Kingston Rovers (2015-18)

On the 18 October 2014, Blair was released from the Gold Coast Titans, to sign a two-year contract with Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers. He made his Hull Kingston Rovers' début on the 8 February 2015, and went on to represent the club in the 2015 Challenge Cup Final.
Blair was named Hull Kingston Rovers' 'Player of the Year' in the 2016 season. He suffered relegation from the Super League with Hull Kingston Rovers in the 2016 season, after losing the Million Pound Game to the Salford Red Devils, but 12 months later he was part of the side that won promotion back to the Super League at the first time of asking. During the 2018 season, Blair surpassed the 100th-game milestone for Hull Kingston Rovers. He played his last game for Hull Kingston Rovers in a 30-0 victory in the Qualifiers over the Widnes Vikings on 30 September 2018, and picked up the 'Man of the Match Award' for his efforts in his farewell appearance.

Northern Pride (2019 - present)

It was revealed on 13 February 2019, that Blair had signed a contract to play for the Northern Pride in the QRL State competition.

Representative career

Blair was honoured in 2008, the Centenary Season of rugby league, playing at for the Indigenous All Stars who subsequently defeated the New Zealand Māori 34-26, at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Opening Ceremony.

Honours

Career Awards and Accolades

Club (Hull Kingston Rovers 2015-18)