Blair was an 'oft match-winning defender' and vice-captain for Ouyen Rovers when he was invited to trial by Hawthorn in 1933. He declined the offer but just after the commencement of the 1934 season he was transferred to Geelong as a result of his job.
Transferred again for work in October 1935 he moved to Melbourne. Both Melbourne and North Melbourne were granted permission to approach Blair in 1936 but he was not listed by either club and joined Fairfield in the sub-district competition.
Blair was appointed to the VFL list of boundary umpires in 1940. He made his VFL debut in the round two match St Kilda versus Hawthorn becoming the 254th boundary Umpire in VFL history.
In early 1942, having umpired 26 VFL matches, Blair was called up for full-time Service with the CMF and later transferred to the AIF. A telegraphist by trade he served in the Australian Army Postal Unit until discharged in August 1946. His later Army postings to Melbourne allowed him to return to boundary umpiring and he officiated in 15 matches during the 1945 season.
