Farewell Blakey ... and thanks

[Enrico_Misso]

Milney and Kosi rightfully have their own threads as superstars.

Blakey was never a superstar.
But he was an honest player who gave his all within his limitations.
An integral part of our side for a decade.
Ultra reliable.
Ultra durable.
Did the one percenters and always put his body on the line.

The Blake deserves his own farewell thread.

[perfectionist]

Played pretty well today too. If there was one thing that I wish he had done in his career, it would have to take the biggest risk at the biggest moment. I would have liked to have seen him take the ball from the ruck in the dying seconds of 2010 GF1 and snap (kick or long handball). He was as far out as another No 27 was for the Saints some 44 years earlier. Instead, he tried to tap to a teammate (which he succeeded in doing) who was soon surrounded. (I would also have liked him to stay on the mark after the siren in 2009.)

A grand career that could have been grander with a bit of luck - as with so many others.

[Saintlester]

Quiet, unsung, no headlines(other than record for no Brownlow votes). Just went out every week and did the job. Not the greatest player but one who can seriously wear the badge of GOP with honour. Because GOP over that period then equates to great clubman. Hope his services will not be lost to the Saints. Seems like he would be a great mentor of young men in how to maximise everyting you have.

[Milne]

Made up with his lack of skill by trying his guts out throughout his career. A great clubman and a utility player.

[Jarred]

Great bloke and clubman!

[bergholt]

It took me about eight years to warm to JB but eventually I realised that he was putting his heart and soul into every contest. Filled holes in the backline, the forward line, the midfield, the ruck - there's nowhere he hasn't played.

I'll always remember his job on Goodes in the finals in 04, and him beating Hawthorn single-handed in 08.

[Bushman]

A terrific career. I think he was probably a better player than he allowed hmeself to be, on those occasions he played attacking football he was great, his game against Sandliands is a standout memory. As the ultimate club man he was more than happy to give off the glory. Well done Blakey!

[PADDLEPOP1001]

Great clubman and vgop for the Saints in a time when we had a great side!

[Hoges]

Great role player , extremely hard working and reliable - his marking and kicking improved over the years - but desire to sacrifice his own game to do role & commitment to the unseen 1 percenters made him extremely durable - great example to generation x of how to play 'team' footy

[BigMart]

Blake has been a better player than Kosi

No slight on Kosi, a good player... But I consider Blakey a great player over the journey.

[ozrulestrace]

Thanks Blakey, you were greatly undervalued by some of the coaches and supporters and yet there you were rucking against giants, standing there in the back line, no matter the size and strength f the opposition.

You played your heart out and did whatever you were asked to do. A great Saint and a great Saint clubman.

[saintspremiers]

Well done Blakey.

I really hope the club employes him next season. An assistant coach in the making.

[Wrote for Luck]

Solid thighs.

[Sainternist]

Well done, JB.

Thanks for your great contributions over the last decade or more. You were a part of the group of players that helped turn our culture around. A selfless player.

Much respect.

[bigcarl]

Been a terrific clubman and player. Durable, versatile and vastly underrated.

If we were contending I reckon he could go around again.

[wolfpup]

Against hawthorn, in their premiership year, he was simply brilliant how he didnt get brownlow votes that night is still baffling.

[saints66]

A lovely man a real gentleman. I thought his career was over when he was almost paralyzed by Stafford of Richmond.

Well done Blakey on a wonderful career!

[bigcarl]

A lovely man a real gentleman. I thought his career was over when he was almost paralyzed by Stafford of Richmond!

In one of the great dog acts perpetrated on a football field

[skeptic]

Amazing clubman...

can't remember a single indiscretion over his journey

am curious now... anyone remember a JB indiscretion?

[BigMart]

Recruiting Lovett

[Viking3]

In terms of giving it everything you've got, he is equal with Rooey and Lenny. Thank you Jason.

[saints66]

A lovely man a real gentleman. I thought his career was over when he was almost paralyzed by Stafford of Richmond!

In one of the great dog acts perpetrated on a football field

Agreed .......... ball was out of bounds over the boundary when Stafford came in with his knees straight into Blakey head front on. I don't know how he ever played again

[saintbrat]

Thank you Jason for being the workhorse and the Great clubman as an example for many to follow.

[Scottish Saint]

Against hawthorn, in their premiership year, he was simply brilliant how he didnt get brownlow votes that night is still baffling.

I'll never forget that game - a 10 goal turnaround in the second half and 3 goals in a quarter for Blakey.

[The OtherThommo]

Any bloke who plays 200 games is worthy of respect. This bloke did everything from run with the likes of Camporeale, to ruck against giants and beat them.

He's entitled to be damn proud of his career. And, a bloody great bloke to boot.

I dips me lid, Blakey.