The loss of Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Greg Eastwood has eroded Canterbury's traditionally aggressive edge up front, and officials see Blair as a perfect vessel to restore that reputation.
Footy Confidential understands Blairis on a modest contract - which expires at the end of 2011 - and couldearn much more should under-pressure Storm officials agree to give himan early release to ease their salary cap problems.
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DURING his controversy-marred career, the last thing former NRL bad boy Julian O'Neill set was a good example for aspiring young players.
But Papua New Guinea officials obviously feel O'Neill has something to offer from his litany of bad behaviour, after recently appointing him a development officer in the league-mad nation.
That's right: the man who famously pooed in Schlossy's shoe adozen years ago is now guiding the youth in PNG, and from all reportshe's doing a hell of a job.
"He is a natural," said LukeGoodwin, who also has a role with the emerging nation's rugby leagueteam.
"He knows his football inside out and he is really greatwith all the players. He is a different man now."
O'Neill hasactually been based in PNG for the past two seasons, coaching a team inthe highlands while his wife worked for a major mining magnate.
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STILL on firebrand forwards, don't besurprised if Parramatta make a play for off-contract Cowboy LukeO'Donnell.
We told you a few weeks back that O'Donnell was in talks with Japanese rugby scout Eddie Jones, but his family's preference is to return to Sydney. The Eels see him as a good fit because the blue and gold pack needs a dose of aggression to complement hard-workingtypes such as Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith and Tim Mannah.
Theonly stumbling block is that O'Donnell's management want a four-yeardeal and the Eels are only prepared to offer three at most at thisstage.
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THE impressive NRL debut of Dragons flyer Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa last Sunday didn't come without hair-raising moments.
Fai-Fai Loa started the season in Toyota Cup with possibly the biggest afro in rugby league - but the 'do didn't sit wellwith head coach Wayne Bennett.
"Wayne told me that until I cutmy hair, I wouldn't be a chance of playing first grade," said the Kiwi20-year-old, who also happens to be a first cousin and flatmate ofback-row star Jeremy Smith.
No surprises, then, to see Fai-FaiLoa make his debut with short back and sides.
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WETOLD you last week how discarded Panther Joel Romelo rides therails to Bulldogs training because he lost his driver's licence.
But last Monday night the nuggety hooker found an even more novel wayto get to CUA Stadium to face his old teammates - in the passenger seatof good friend Wade Graham's car.
"I can't remember two playersfrom opposing teams driving to the game together - and they both woreNo. 17," laughed a Panthers source.
One player regretting thatRomelo found his way on to the ground was Penrith pivot Travis Burns,who later credited the 21-year-old with the hardest hit he'd eversuffered on a football field.
"I felt like I was going to besick on the inside ... and it took me about 10 minutes to recover,"Burns told us.
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IN FURTHER fallout from Monday night's clash, an "embarrassed" Michael Jennings has vowed to hit the sprint track after being run down from behind - by Josh Morris - for the first time in his career.
"I thought I was away,"Jennings told us.
"But I guess I've lost a bit of pace. Ihaven't been doing speed work lately because of my knee [injury].
"He got me fair and square, but I'm filthy about it. To be honest it'spretty embarrassing because it's the first time I've ever been rundown."
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MELBOURNE Rebels remainkeen to snare Storm pivot Brett Finch, but the NSW Origin shadow playeris in no rush to finalise his future.
Finch has attractedinterest from a number of league clubs, both in the NRL and England, andhis preference is to stay in the 13-man code.
Elsewhere, DannyBuderus has received an offrer to extend his stay in Leeds amidspeculation he could rejoin Newcastle next year. And former Sea Eaglesand Eels winger Scott Donald could be eyeing a retun Down Under.
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