Blake is studying a double degree in Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Construction Management) and a Bachelor of Business (Finance Specialisation) at RMIT University. He has also been working eight hours a week at construction, management and consulting firm Thinc Projects – a remarkable achievement given the rigors of modern day football training.
Blake accepted the award at the AFLPA awards dinner held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne on Monday night.
He said, "It's a great honour to receive this award. I've always considered about my life after football and I think it's important to have a solid career foundation in place. I really enjoy what I do and while it's tough to juggle the commitments at times, football and study balance my life nicely!"
Blake has had a stellar year for the Saints. The athletic and versatile ruck/defender has played 21 games this season and is hopeful of overcoming a dislocated thumb to take his place in the side against Collingwood this weekend.
