NICKNAME/S: Vinnie Chase, Vinnie, Toddy

BIO: Born and raised in Mackay, Blanchfield attended Mackay State High School where he had success with schoolboys basketball, being selected in his first state team when he was in Year 7 and was part of Mackay representative team’s from under 12s.

In 2007, Blanchfield played his first season with the QBL’s Mackay Meteors and was a valuable part of the team, despite being just 15 years old.

. Blanchfield received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2008. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2008).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Todd Blanchfield made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 17 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.

The Townsville Crocodiles signed Blanchfield as a development player in July 2009 after impressive stints with the Mackay Meteors in the QBL (2007, 2009-10) and the Australian Institute of Sport (2008).

He made 10 appearances and averaged 1.1 points over the season, at a average of just 3.7 minutes per game, averaging a touch over one point in each contest for the Crocodile’s, who finished in second place during the regular season with a record of 16 wins, 12 losses.

2010/11
Blanchfield’s ten appearances as a development player were enough to convince the Crocs to invest in the young Queenslander, awarding him with a three-year contract at the conclusion of the 2010/11 season. His second season saw his minutes jump up to 10 per game and as a result his numbers improved to 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds. The added production helping the Crocodiles again finish in second place during the regular season with a 17-11 record.

2011/12
After three consecutive semifinal exits under coach Trevor Gleeson, the Townsville Crocodiles decided to make a coaching change, appointing American Paul Woolpert. Alongside this shift, the team parted ways with imports Will Blalock and Rosell Ellis, bringing in former NBA guard Eddie Gill and Elvin Mims as their replacements. The Crocodiles largely retained their local core from the prior season, with Jacob Holmes (joining from Adelaide) and Townsville native Mitchell Norton stepping in for Nathan Crosswell (departed to Adelaide) and retiring veteran Brad Williamson.

Just before the season opener, Russell Hinder sustained a broken leg, ruling him out for the entirety of the NBL season. The team signed Greg Vanderjagt, who had missed out on making an NBL roster the previous year, as his replacement.

Peter Crawford (14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists) and Eddie Gill (13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists) led Townsville’s statistical efforts, but a major boost came from Todd Blanchfield, who had a breakout season. Averaging 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds, Blanchfield went from bench player to starter, doubling his minutes from 9.7 to 21.3 per game. His 47% shooting percentage provided critical floor spacing, which opened up scoring opportunities for frontcourt players like Jacob Holmes (10.4 points, 9 rebounds, 2.1 assists), Luke Schenscher (10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists), and Elvin Mims (9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals).

Townsville hovered between third and fifth place throughout the season, but a two-game losing streak to close the season left them tied with Cairns Taipans for fourth (both at 15-13). Although the teams split their season series 2-2, Townsville edged Cairns out of playoff contention due to a superior points percentage.

In the semifinals, Townsville took on top-seeded New Zealand, pulling off an impressive game one win (99-82) on the road. However, New Zealand bounced back, taking game two (94-83) in Townsville and decisively clinching the series in game three (97-80). The Breakers would go on to capture the championship by defeating Perth in the Grand Final series.

2012/13
In the 2012/13 season, Blanchfield elevated his game further, averaging 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists as Townsville finished in seventh place with a 10-18 record.

2013/14
In 2013, the Crocodiles faced an uncertain future when Barrier Reef Basketball relinquished its NBL license, placing the team’s 2013/14 season in jeopardy. The Crocs managed to stay afloat by transitioning to a community-owned club, which led to the departure of head coach Paul Woolpert and the hiring of former Perth Wildcats assistant Shawn Dennis as his replacement.

Dennis focused on building around the team’s younger players, particularly Todd Blanchfield and Mitchell Norton, with the vision of developing a competitive roster over the next few seasons. Veterans Peter Crawford, Jacob Holmes, and captain Russell Hinder returned, and Australian Boomers player Steven Markovic was signed after spending several years in Europe. Imports Joshua Pace and Brian Conklin rounded out the lineup.

Conklin quickly proved to be a valuable asset, scoring 33 points in his second game—a 91-78 win over the New Zealand Breakers. This was the second-highest individual score for a Crocs player since the NBL introduced 40-minute games in 2010. Despite predictions that placed Townsville at the bottom of the standings, the Crocs recorded surprise wins over Melbourne (90-75) and Adelaide (98-94) early in the season and defeated New Zealand twice, finding themselves just outside the playoffs in fifth place by round 10.

However, the performance of Pace (14.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) and Markovic (13.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists) fell short of expectations, and the team’s inexperience became apparent as they slid into an eight-game losing streak.

Despite the setbacks, Conklin (16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) stood out, leveraging his athleticism to overcome size mismatches and ending the season among the league’s top scorers. A hamstring injury late in the season sidelined him for the final four games, leaving Townsville to finish second-last with a 10-18 record. Conklin’s efforts were rewarded with All-NBL Second Team honors.

Blanchfield played in all 28 games, averaging 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.

2014/15
The Crocs retained star import Brian Conklin for the 2014/15 season, and coach Shawn Dennis looked to build around young talents Todd Blanchfield and Mitchell Norton in his second year at the helm. Veterans Peter Crawford (Adelaide) and Russell Hinder (retired) departed, and underperforming import Joshua Pace was replaced by former NBA shot-blocker Mickell Gladness. Dennis filled other roster gaps with Mackay’s Clint Stiendl and New Zealander Leon Henry.

Townsville proved formidable on their home court, securing their first winning home record (8-6) since 2012, but inconsistent performances on the road led to a season-ending 11-17 record.

Blanchfield (14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) received recognition across the league and drew interest from NBA scouts after earning the NBL’s Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-NBL Second Team. Conklin (18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) delivered an even stronger second season, shooting 50.7% from the field and finishing fourth in league scoring. His standout performance included a 33-point, 11-rebound effort in a close 79-75 loss to the Cairns Taipans. Conklin was rewarded with the NBL MVP title and All-NBL First Team selection.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2015/16
Melbourne United strengthened their roster by re-signing Daniel Kickert, bringing in Todd Blanchfield (the previous season’s Most Improved Player) from Townsville, and welcoming back Chris Goulding from a season in Spain.

Kickert delivered a remarkable season, narrowly missing out on becoming the first NBL player to join the prestigious 50–40–90 club. He met the required shooting percentages, ending with 52.5% from the field, 47.2% from beyond the arc, and 90.5% from the line, but fell just four made free throws short of qualifying. Kickert’s efforts helped Melbourne secure first place with an 18-10 record, earning him All-NBL First Team honors.

Despite a strong season under new head coach Dean Demopoulos, Melbourne was swept by New Zealand in the semifinals. Blanchfield contributed throughout the season, appearing in 30 games and averaging 9.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists.

MELBOURNE UNITED
2016/17
With the league allowing three import players per team, Melbourne United replaced import duo Stephen Holt and Hakim Warrick with Cedric Jackson, Ramone Moore, and Devin Williams. They essentially signed a fourth import by adding Tai Wesley (via New Zealand), who was allowed to sign as a local under the Asian player rule, and swapped one Boomers big man for another, with David Andersen (via Europe) replacing Daniel Kickert (to Sydney).

In coach Dean Demopoulos’ second season, United started poorly (3-7), with Jackson (10.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.4 steals) quickly shown the door due to a poor attitude and failing to buy into the team’s defensive principles. Casper Ware arrived as his replacement shortly after, immediately changing the squad’s direction.

Around this time, Chris Goulding (17.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals), who missed six games with ankle issues, began to find his form, and David Barlow (5.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) returned from a calf injury that had kept him off the court for two years.

Behind Ware (22.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals) and a healthy roster, United turned things around, winning 10 of their last 18 games. With the team still capable of reaching the playoffs, Devin Williams (3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds), who surprisingly lasted 16 games before being cut, had faced criticism for his lack of production. With a third of the season remaining, Josh Boone (10.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) arrived, excelling in several advanced metrics like PER, ORtg, DRtg, eFG%, TRB%, and BLK%, and proving to be one of United’s most efficient players.

While he avoided Jackson’s fate, Ramone Moore (10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) didn’t deliver the impact expected of an import either. Injuries and offensive meltdowns defined the season. Tai Wesley (8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) and Majok Majok (5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks) were the only two players to compete in all 28 games for United. Only six players suited up for at least 75% of games, and Melbourne finished with the second-worst true shooting percentage in the league and a 2-5 record in close games.

Ware earned a place on the All-NBL First Team despite playing 18 games, and Melbourne’s strong finish generated excitement among fans, with a near-capacity crowd of 9,545 at their last home game despite the team having nothing to play for.

Demopoulos struggled with managing player relationships, and by season’s end, his tense dynamic with certain players became public. United finished sixth (13-15), and Demopoulos and the club parted ways. Blanchfield had a season that didn’t fully meet expectations associated with his prior NBA prospect status, averaging 8.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists over 22 games.

SYDNEY KINGS
2017/18
After his time with Melbourne United, where limited opportunities affected his NBA prospects, Todd Blanchfield joined the Sydney Kings in hopes of increased playtime and a return to form.

Blanchfield posted solid averages of 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1 steal on 41% shooting from the field. However, despite his contributions, the Kings finished in second-last place with an 11-17 record, while his former team, Melbourne United, won the NBL championship.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2018/19
Following a close playoff miss in 2018, Illawarra Hawks faced a roster overhaul, losing key players Demitrius Conger, Rotnei Clarke, Nicholas Kay, Delvon Johnson, and retirees Cody Ellis and Rhys Martin. AJ Ogilvy, Tim Coenraad, Nic Pozoglo, and team captain Kevin White returned, while Jordair Jett, Brian Conklin, and Cedric Jackson joined the squad, alongside rookies Emmett Naar and Daniel Grida.

The Hawks had a turbulent start to the season, opening with a quadruple-overtime loss to Melbourne (122–123), followed by a heavy defeat to Perth (101–61). Despite the rocky beginning, they rebounded in Round 2 with a win over Cairns on the road (104–93). A brief two-game win streak in October saw them secure victories over Brisbane (86–78) and Adelaide (120–109), momentarily placing them fifth. However, inconsistency plagued the team, and they later endured a four-game losing streak in November. The season ended with a seventh-place finish and a 12-16 record.

In his tenth NBL season and first with the Hawks, Blanchfield delivered one of his best seasons, posting 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He set a career high with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists against Cairns on October 21, 2018, and added notable performances throughout the season, including a 27-point effort against New Zealand on January 18, 2019.

Blanchfield also shot a career-best 48% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc, with his perimeter skills playing a crucial role for the Hawks. He was named the team’s MVP at season’s end.

Conklin (14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists), Jett (11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists), and Ogilvy (9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) joined Blanchfield in leading the team’s offense, but Illawarra struggled to find consistency in an especially competitive NBL season.

2019/20
The Hawks became a global basketball talking point in 2019/20 after signing LaMelo Ball to a Next Stars contract, which was designed to develop young players ahead of the NBA Draft. Although Ball played only 12 games, Blanchfield became a mentor to him, and they formed a strong bond, with Blanchfield frequently defending the young guard as he adjusted to the professional level.

On October 24, 2019, the Hawks faced New Zealand in what became the most-watched game in NBL history, reaching nearly two million views globally on Facebook due to Ball’s matchup with fellow Next Star RJ Hampton.

While Ball averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in 31 minutes, Blanchfield contributed 13.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists as a key offensive player. Despite the global attention, the Hawks struggled in the standings, finishing with the league’s worst record at 5-23. Blanchfield earned the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season, while Ball took home the NBL Rookie of the Year award before heading to the NBA.

PERTH WILDCATS
2020/21
After clinching the previous season’s Grand Final due to Sydney’s withdrawal amid COVID-19 concerns, Perth faced early challenges in NBL21 as the league navigated pandemic obstacles. With Terrico White and Nick Kay departing for overseas opportunities, Perth signed John Mooney to bolster their frontcourt. However, the NBL’s decision to limit imports from three to two also prevented Perth from re-signing Miles Plumlee. After numerous delays to the season start, games commenced without a fixed schedule, leaving teams uncertain about who and where they’d play each week due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Perth initially struggled to secure wins, sitting in seventh place after five rounds. To address travel challenges, the NBL relocated all teams to Melbourne for the NBL Cup, aiming to keep the season running amid restrictions. It was during this time that Bryce Cotton (23.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) elevated his game, creating space for newcomer Todd Blanchfield (via Illawarra) to shine. Blanchfield (15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) set a Wildcats record for most three-pointers in a season and, together with Mooney (16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals), formed a formidable trio that drove Perth back to the top of the standings.

As the season neared its conclusion, Perth seemed set for a third consecutive title until Cotton suffered a season-ending injury against Melbourne (64–78). Although Cotton would still be named league MVP, his absence was felt in the playoffs.

In round 13, Melbourne United edged out Perth for first place, with United finishing (28-8) and Perth in second (25-11). Despite a game-one loss to Illawarra (72–74), Perth rebounded with contributions from Luke Travers (13 points and 10 rebounds) and John Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds) in game two, securing a 79-71 victory. In the decisive game three, Blanchfield (24 points and 5 rebounds) and Mitchell Norton (15 points and 4 rebounds) rose to the occasion, propelling the Wildcats past Illawarra (79-71) in a thrilling semifinal series.

Perth then faced a formidable Melbourne United, who had maintained impressive form all season. COVID-19 restrictions led to the first two games being played in Perth. Despite Blanchfield’s strong performance (27 points and 7 rebounds) in game one, United held on to win by three points (70–73). In game two, Chris Goulding (21 points) and Jock Landale (12 points, 17 rebounds) proved too much for Perth, who again fell short (74-83).

Norton (8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists) battled injuries down the stretch, further weakening Perth’s backcourt. Kevin White stepped up with the best three-game series of his career (10, 12, and 14 points, respectively), but it wasn’t enough. In game three, played in front of a sellout 5,000-strong crowd at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, United triumphed 81-76, with Landale’s outstanding performance (15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) securing him the Finals MVP as United clinched their sixth NBL title.

2021/22
This season saw the departure of coach Trevor Gleeson, who joined the NBA’s Toronto Raptors after leading Perth to five championships in seven seasons. Perth faced additional challenges as mid-season signing Will Magnay and key bench players Clint Steindl, Jarrad Weeks, and Jarred Bairstow signed with Tasmania under former assistant coach Scott Roth.

Perth rebuilt its squad, appointing US coach Scott Morrison as head coach, and adding imports Vic Law (via Brisbane), Michael Frazier III, and big man Matthew Hodgson (also via Brisbane).

Blanchfield sustained a knee injury early in the season, requiring surgery. Though he returned, he re-injured the same knee in his second game back, impacting his performance as he worked to regain fitness.

The Wildcats began with five home games before a grueling 14-game road stint due to COVID-19 border closures. Despite these challenges, Perth remained in the top four for much of the season and was a strong contender for the Grand Final. Cotton (22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals) and Law (20.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) were an explosive duo, ranking among the top three league scorers while driving Perth to lead the league in scoring (89.1 points per game).

Upon returning to Western Australia for their last nine games, Perth chose to replace Frazier with John Brown III. However, Brown’s previous team withheld clearance, preventing him from playing, and Perth had to reintegrate Frazier back into the lineup. A season-ending knee injury sidelined Law with a few games remaining, and Cotton also missed critical games as Perth won only three of their final nine home games. In their last regular-season game, needing a win against South East Melbourne to secure a playoff spot, Perth’s eight-point lead in the second half wasn’t enough as the Phoenix surged back to end Perth’s remarkable 37-season playoff streak with a two-point overtime victory.

Both Cotton and Law received All-NBL First Team honors for their efforts.

2022/23
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 35 years, Scott Morrison left his position, citing family reasons. In his place, the Wildcats appointed former Townsville Crocodiles star John Rillie as head coach on a three-year contract.

Perth retained most of its roster, with only Kevin White (to Illawarra) and Matt Hodgson (to Taiwan) departing. Blanchfield signed a three-year deal that would keep him with the Wildcats until 2025.

“I really enjoyed my last two years in Perth; everything from the community to the club. I’m excited to be back for three years and to build something with this group,” Blanchfield shared upon re-signing. “My main goal is to win a championship. I’d love to win one before I retire, and Perth’s proven it’s the kind of place where that’s possible.”

Perth also re-signed Bryce Cotton (three-year deal) and Jesse Wagstaff (one-year deal), promoted Kyle Zunic from development player to the full roster, and added free agent Corey Webster, who had briefly signed with the Wildcats in 2017. Imports TaShawn Thomas (from France) and Brady Manek (from North Carolina) were also brought in for added scoring depth.

Rillie’s team started the season strong, going 3-0 and claiming the top spot on the NBL ladder before hitting a five-game losing streak that dropped them to seventh, a position they held for much of the season.

One of the season’s highlights was a thrilling comeback against Melbourne United. Down 89-84 with just 9 seconds left, Blanchfield hit a three-pointer while drawing a foul. Though he missed the free throw, he grabbed his own rebound, allowing Corey Webster to hit the game-winning three-pointer, sealing a 90-89 victory and sending the RAC Arena crowd into a frenzy. Blanchfield scored 8 points with 2 rebounds, while Webster posted 20 points and 3 assists, and Cotton led with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

With six games left, Perth signed Tai Webster, recently released from his Turkish team, reuniting him with his brother Corey. To accommodate Webster, Corey Shervill was removed from the Wildcats’ roster.

In the final three games, Perth lost to Tasmania (102–94) after being outscored 27-15 in the last quarter. A significant loss to Cairns (84-71) set up a crucial final round, where a Perth loss would have eliminated them from playoff contention. Despite the Kings holding Cotton (7 points), big performances from Corey Webster (26 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Luke Travers (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists), and Brady Manek (21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) saw Perth pull off a 96-84 upset against the top-seeded Kings.

The win secured sixth place (15-13) and a spot in the league’s inaugural play-in tournament. Against South East Melbourne, Perth trailed until the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Phoenix 41-23 to claim a 106-99 victory. In their next game, Perth faced Cairns for a chance to reach the semifinals as the fourth seed. Despite Cairns missing star Keanu Pinder, DJ Hogg’s historic performance (32 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) eliminated Perth from playoff contention, as they fell 78-91.

Blanchfield appeared in 26 games but struggled for minutes under Rillie, averaging 4.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. Following the season, both Blanchfield and the Wildcats mutually agreed to part ways despite his two remaining contract years.

After a difficult season in which the Illawarra Hawks recorded their worst performance in franchise history (3-25), the team aimed for a reset in Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach. With Perth keen to part ways with Todd Blanchfield and willing to cover a portion of his remaining contract, the Hawks acquired him in a buy-out. In addition to Blanchfield, young talents Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), and former Adelaide 36ers development player Lachlan Olbrich (via NCAA) joined the team. Korean shooter Hyunjung Lee was signed under the NBL’s ‘Asian player’ rule, and NBA prospect AJ Johnson joined via the Next Stars Program. Returning import Justin Robinson, who had managed only one game before a season-ending injury in 2022, was back to full health, while NBA veteran Gary Clark rounded out the roster as the team’s third import. Core players Tyler Harvey, captain Sam Froling, and guards Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William “Davo” Hickey, and Daniel Grida also returned.

Despite promising pre-season signs, Illawarra struggled to break away from previous patterns once the regular season began, suffering multiple disappointing losses. Clark (17 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), Froling (15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists), and Harvey (15.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals) delivered strong individual performances, yet the Hawks faltered early. Adding to the challenge, Hyunjung and Peatling began the season nursing injuries.

By October, Illawarra had a 2-4 record, with victories over South East Melbourne and Cairns. However, consecutive heavy losses to Sydney and Cairns in the following month prompted the Hawks and Jackomas to part ways. Assistant coach Justin Tatum stepped in as interim head coach while the team searched for a permanent replacement.

Under Tatum, the Hawks found a new rhythm, winning four of their next six games. A knee injury sidelined Grida (5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists) after ten games, but with Will Hickey (5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) stepping up and the addition of former South East Melbourne guard Kyle Adnam as an injury replacement, Illawarra maintained their improved form.

The Hawks finished the regular season in fourth place (14-14), thanks in part to a significant boost in scoring. They improved from last place in points per game (80.8) in the previous season to averaging 91.6 points per game, finishing fourth in the league in offensive output.

In the play-in tournament, Illawarra lost their opening game to Tasmania (92-76) but bounced back with a nail-biting win over New Zealand (88-85), earning a spot in the semi-finals against Melbourne United.

In game one of the semi-finals, Illawarra played a strong first half before United staged a dramatic comeback to force overtime, eventually taking the win 115-106. The Hawks fought back to level the series with a five-point victory, pushing the series to a decider. However, Illawarra’s run ended just shy of a Grand Final berth, falling to United by six points in the deciding game.

Gary Clark led the team with standout offensive performances, including a season-high 38 points against Cairns, earning him the Hawks’ Club MVP and a spot on the All-NBL First Team.

Blanchfield appeared in 30 games, contributing averages of 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.

Todd Blanchfield currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 408 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1 assists since entering the league in 2009.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 2 Year Deal (2023-25)

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 48th in total games played.

Dan Boyce (815 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.