NICKNAME/S: Vinnie Chase, Vinnie, Toddy

BIO: Born and raised in Mackay, Queensland, Todd Blanchfield attended Mackay State High School and quickly established himself as one of the region’s most promising young talents. He began playing representative basketball for the Mackay Basketball Association from the under-12 level and was selected in his first Queensland state team as a Year 7 student. His performances at junior level earned him widespread recognition within state schoolboys programs.

In 2007, at just 15 years of age, Blanchfield made his senior league debut with the Mackay Meteors in the Queensland Basketball League (QBL), becoming a valuable contributor despite his youth. The following year, in January 2008, he was selected to join an Australian schoolboys team that toured North Carolina in the United States, gaining early international exposure and experience against top-level high school competition. Blanchfield received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2008. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

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 Todd Blanchfield as a development player in July 2009 following standout stints with the Mackay Meteors in the QBL (2007, 2009–10) and the Australian Institute of Sport in the SEABL (2008).

Townsville had just moved forward without Rosell Ellis, John Rillie (to New Zealand), Daniel Egan, and Anthony Susnjara from last year’s roster, after the Crocodiles had reached the semifinals the previous year.

Corey Williams, Brad Williamson, Russell Hinder, Kelvin Robertson, Michael Cedar and Cameron Tovey returned from the previous season’s group, while Trevor Gleeson added Peter Crawford (via Perth), Stephen Hoare (via Melbourne), Rolan Roberts, Jeff Dowdell.

The Crocodiles signed Blanchfield in July 2009 following standout stints with the Mackay Meteors in the QBL and the Australian Institute of Sport in the SEABL, giving the 17-year-old his first opportunity at NBL level.

His best game came in Townsville’s 99-77 road loss to Wollongong on 24 October, where the teenager scored 8 points and grabbed 2 rebounds while making all three of his field-goal attempts, including his only three-pointer.

Brad Williamson (25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Townsville in the loss, while Tywain McKee (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Cameron Tragardh (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Tim Coenraad (13 points) led Wollongong.

Blanchfield (1.1 points across 10 games) averaged only 3.7 minutes in his first season, seeing limited court time as a development player but gaining experience alongside one of the league’s strongest groups.

Williams (18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals) led Townsville offensively, won the NBL Most Valuable Player award and earned All-NBL First Team honours.

Brad Williamson (10.1 points) and Crawford (10 points) were the Crocodiles’ next leading scorers, while Hinder (9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds), Roberts (9.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks), Cedar (8.5 points), Hoare (7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds) and Tovey (6.9 points and 4.4 rebounds) gave Gleeson a balanced rotation.

Townsville emerged as one of the competition’s form teams during January, putting together four consecutive wins and defeating fellow contenders Perth and Gold Coast as the Crocodiles climbed towards the top of the ladder.

The Crocodiles finished with a 16-12 record, level with Wollongong and Gold Coast, but the three-way head-to-head tiebreaker placed the Hawks second, Townsville third and the Blaze fourth.

The semifinals opened in Wollongong, where the Hawks defeated Townsville 87-68 behind Tragardh (26 points and 7 rebounds) and Larry Davidson (17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists, and 3 steals), while Williams (12 points) was Townsville’s leading scorer.

Game two moved to the Townsville Entertainment Centre, where Williams (23 points), Hinder (16 points) and Tovey (15 points) powered the Crocodiles to a dominant 82-53 win, while Rhys Martin (15 points) and Tragardh (11 points) were Wollongong’s best.

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Martin (16 points), David Gruber (15 points and 5 rebounds), Tragardh (14 points and 6 rebounds), Mat Campbell (14 points and 4 assists) and Glen Saville (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals) led the Hawks to a 88-76 win, while Williams (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists), Cedar (14 points) and Roberts (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals) were Townsville’s best.

2010/11
Townsville reshaped its roster for the 2010/11 season, with Corey Williams (to Melbourne), Rolan Roberts, Stephen Hoare (to Gold Coast), Cameron Tovey (to Perth), Kelvin Robertson and Jeff Dowdell (to Adelaide) exiting the team.

Peter Crawford, Brad Williamson, Russell Hinder and Michael Cedar returned from the previous season’s main rotation, while Todd Blanchfield remained with the Crocodiles after making ten appearances as a development player.

Trevor Gleeson added Luke Schenscher (via Perth), Nathan Crosswell (via Melbourne), Will Blalock, Gabe Freeman and Ben Allen, while the Crocodiles rewarded the young Queenslander with a three-year contract in June 2010.

Blanchfield (2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds) appeared in 27 games during his first full season, increasing his playing time from 3.7 to 9.7 minutes per game. His best scoring game produced a season-high 9 points as he began taking the first steps from development player into Townsville’s regular rotation.

Freeman (9 points and 6.4 rebounds across 11 games) left the Crocodiles in December to return to the Philippines, with former Townsville import Rosell Ellis signed as his replacement.

Schenscher (13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds) and Crawford (13 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals) were Townsville’s two leading offensive players. Schenscher was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and won the club MVP award, while Crawford earned All-NBL Third Team honours.

Michael Cedar (10.8 points and 3.1 rebounds) produced his best NBL season to date, while Blalock (10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) directed the backcourt. Hinder (8 points and 5.7 rebounds) led the NBL in three-point percentage at 44.8 percent, while Ellis (6.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals), Crosswell (5.6 points) and Williamson (5.6 points) strengthened the supporting rotation.

With Blanchfield now receiving regular minutes, Townsville finished second with a 17-11 record. The Crocodiles were dominant at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, compiling a 13-1 home record, while Gleeson was named NBL Coach of the Year.

The semifinals opened in Townsville, where Crawford (17 points), Schenscher (15 points and 14 rebounds) and Michael Cedar (13 points) led the Crocodiles to a 76-73 overtime win over Cairns, while Ayinde Ubaka (19 points) and Ron Dorsey (17 points) were best for the Taipans.

Game two moved to Cairns, where Ian Crosswhite (15 points), Alex Loughton (14 points) and Dorsey (11 points and 9 rebounds) led the Taipans to a 74-57 win, while Ellis (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Schenscher (12 points) were Townsville’s best.

The deciding game returned to the Townsville Entertainment Centre, where Crawford (29 points and 7 rebounds), Michael Cedar (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Schenscher (13 points) led the Crocodiles, while Daniel Dillon (21 points), Dusty Rychart (16 points), Ubaka (12 points) and Crosswhite (12 points and 9 rebounds) carried Cairns to a 93-83 win.

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
Following a semifinal exit the previous season, the Townsville Crocodiles entered the 2012/13 NBL campaign with Paul Woolpert returning for his second season as head coach and a retooled roster. The club opted not to bring back veterans Luke Schenscher and Greg Vanderjagt, nor did they retain star import Eddie Gill or fellow American Elvin Mims. In their place, Townsville initially signed Jason Forte and Curtis Withers, but both were released during the pre-season after underwhelming performances at the NBL Pre-season Tournament in Melbourne. Crocs CEO Ian Smythe made the call early, stating, “Usually I’ve erred on the side of caution and waited. This time, we made the hard decision.”

The season was marked by instability even before tip-off, with the club making the bold decision to release both import signings. Forte had struggled in his role at point guard, while Withers was made expendable due to the promising form of local big man Ben Allen. Smythe explained, “Neither showed enough to indicate there was anything worth waiting for.”

With the regular season looming, Townsville quickly pivoted and signed 2011 NBL MVP Gary Ervin just one week before the season opener. They also brought back former import Larry Abney, hoping his experience could stabilise the frontcourt. Russell Hinder was again named team captain, but despite the new additions and established leadership, the Crocodiles opened the year in disastrous fashion, slumping to ten consecutive defeats and sitting last on the ladder at 0–10.

To address their glaring need for size and interior defence, the Crocs released Larry Abney (4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds) after nine games and signed centre Luke Nevill, who had just completed the NBA preseason with the Indiana Pacers following a prior stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009. Nevill joined in time for a matchup against Adelaide and immediately delivered the team’s first win. His arrival sparked a five-game win streak that pulled Townsville off the bottom of the ladder and back into playoff contention.

Coach Paul Woolpert praised Nevill’s ability to bring balance to the roster and open up scoring opportunities for the team’s shooters. Gary Ervin (16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals) led the Crocs offensively, while Nevill (13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks) anchored the frontcourt and provided the inside presence the team had been lacking. Todd Blanchfield built on his breakout season, increasing his production from 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds to 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, and veteran guard Peter Crawford remained a steady contributor with (12 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists).

Despite their resurgence, Townsville closed the season with back-to-back losses, ultimately finishing second last on the ladder with a 10–18 record—two wins shy of a playoff berth. Gary Ervin was recognised for his individual brilliance, earning selection to the All-NBL Second Team.

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 honours.

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

2014/15
Townsville entered the 2014/15 season with Joshua Pace, Peter Crawford (to Adelaide), Russell Hinder (retired), Scott Kenny and Joshua Myles exiting the team. Brian Conklin, Steven Markovic, Todd Blanchfield, Jacob Holmes, Mitchell Norton, Greg Vanderjagt and Mirko Djeric returned from the previous season’s group, while Shawn Dennis added former NBA centre Mickell Gladness (via Reno), Clint Steindl (via Cairns), Leon Henry (via Southland), Tom Howard, Ben Dixon and Christopher Kann.

The Crocodiles opened the season with a 92-83 road loss to Wollongong, where Blanchfield (14.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) began his breakout year with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals in 21 minutes.

One of his strongest early performances came in Townsville’s 91-82 road loss to Cairns on 30 November, where Blanchfield (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) led all scorers and gave the Crocodiles their best offensive option throughout the night.

On 3 January, Conklin (18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) produced 33 points and 11 rebounds against Cairns, while Blanchfield (8 points and 3 rebounds) added support as Townsville fell short 79-75.

Blanchfield’s best game of the season came on 25 January, when he delivered 27 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block in an 81-69 road win over Melbourne. He connected on five three-pointers and combined with Conklin (24 points and 8 rebounds) to hand the Crocodiles one of their strongest wins of the season.

Two weeks later, Blanchfield (27 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led Townsville to a 79-71 home win over eventual champions New Zealand, while Conklin (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided an all-round performance against the Breakers.

The two 27-point performances earned Blanchfield NBL Player of the Week honours in rounds 16 and 18 as his increased scoring, rebounding and confidence established him among the league’s leading Australian forwards.

Townsville became a difficult team to beat at home, recording its first winning home record since 2012 at 8-6, but managed only three wins from 14 road games. The Crocodiles finished sixth with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Conklin and Blanchfield were Townsville’s two leading offensive players. Conklin shot 50.7 percent from the field, finished fourth in the league in scoring and was named NBL Most Valuable Player, selected to the All-NBL First Team and awarded the Crocodiles’ club MVP.

Blanchfield’s improved production drew attention from NBA scouts and saw him named the NBL Most Improved Player and selected to the All-NBL Second Team.

Markovic (9.9 points and 4.3 assists) directed the offence, while Steindl (9.6 points and 3.2 rebounds) added perimeter shooting in his first season with Townsville. Gladness (9.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks) led the NBL in blocked shots, while Norton (7.9 points) continued his development in the backcourt.

Townsville’s season ended in Perth, where Conklin (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Blanchfield (14 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Markovic (14 points and 5 assists) were unable to stop DeAndre Daniels (24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks), Shawn Redhage (16 points) and Tom Jervis (14 points and 8 rebounds) in an 81-71 loss.

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 missing the playoffs the previous season, Sydney parted ways with Greg Whittington, Josh Powell, Steve Blake, Aleks Maric, Garrett Jackson and Craig Moller (to Melbourne). Brad Newley, Kevin Lisch, Jason Cadee and Tom Garlepp returned, while head coach Andrew Gaze added Todd Blanchfield (via Melbourne), Perry Ellis, Travis Leslie, Isaac Humphries (via Kentucky), Dane Pineau (via Saint Mary’s) and Amritpal Singh (via Pune).

Following two seasons with Melbourne where his role and production had fallen, the 25-year-old joined Sydney on a two-year deal looking for increased court time and a return to the form that had previously placed him on NBA radars.

Sydney opened the season on 7 October with a 105-96 home loss to Adelaide, where Todd (7 points) started in his Kings debut.

Blanchfield (8.7 points and 4 rebounds across 23 games) settled into a regular starting role, shooting 41 percent from the field while receiving the increased playing opportunities he had been seeking.

Captain Lisch (10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 9 games) suffered a calf injury after the opening three games and missed most of the regular season, leaving Sydney without its primary ball-handler during a difficult start.

With the Kings sitting at 2-6, Leslie (12.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 8 games) was released and replaced by former NBL MVP Jerome Randle (via Turkey), while former NBA big man Jeremy Tyler (via China) and temporary guard Jeremy Kendle were also added before Tyler was released two months later.

Blanchfield (8 points) suffered a serious concussion following an accidental head clash with a teammate during Sydney’s 81-72 win over Cairns on 30 November, forcing him to miss the next three games.

His best scoring game came on 23 December, when Blanchfield (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) made five three-pointers and provided important scoring down the stretch as Sydney defeated Brisbane 101-95.

Against his former club and the eventual champions on 28 January, Blanchfield (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) top-scored for Sydney in a 93-76 loss to Melbourne.

Randle (19.6 points and 5.3 assists across 17 games) and Ellis (15.6 points and 5.8 rebounds across 25 games) became Sydney’s two leading offensive players, while Newley (12 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 25 games) and Cadee (10.3 points and 3.3 assists across 26 games) were the other main contributors around Blanchfield.

Randle became the first player since 1989 to lead the NBL in both scoring and assists and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Humphries (6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds across 25 games) was named the NBL Rookie of the Year.

After losing 16 of their opening 21 games, the Kings recovered to win six of their final seven but finished seventh with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, while Blanchfield’s former team Melbourne won the championship.

In Sydney’s final game on 18 February, Blanchfield (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) produced his second-highest score of the season, while Cadee (30 points and 3 assists) and Randle (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Kings to a 101-86 win over New Zealand.

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 honours 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.

2024/25
A year after recovering from a 2-7 start to reach the semifinals, Illawarra entered NBL25 with AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Justin Robinson (to Trapani), Gary Clark (to Yokohama), Kyle Adnam (to Cairns) and Biwali Bayles (to Nyon) exiting the team.

Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Todd Blanchfield, Hyunjung Lee, Mason Peatling, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Daniel Grida and Lachlan Olbrich returned from the previous season’s group.

Justin Tatum began his first full season as head coach and added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide) and Darius Days (via Winnipeg Sea Bears), while keeping together most of the group which had reached the previous year’s semifinals.

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest in Perth with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where the veteran forward contributed 4 points and 1 rebound in limited minutes.

Blanchfield (4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) initially remained in a reduced bench role, averaging 8.5 minutes over the opening 20 games as Illawarra established itself among the league leaders.

Development player Kobe McDowell-White (via Sunshine Coast Phoenix) joined the team in October, while Kuany Kuany (via VCU) was added as a nominated replacement player in November.

When Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds) injured his hamstring against Brisbane on 20 January, Blanchfield received an expanded role and averaged 9.4 points in 18.2 minutes over the following nine games.

Tatum praised the experience and communication Blanchfield provided, with his production rising to 14 points per game across a five-game stretch as the Hawks moved towards the postseason.

On 23 January, Blanchfield (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) made five three-pointers and shared Townsville’s scoring lead in a 100-94 road loss to Cairns.

A week later, Blanchfield (12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) provided an important lift from the bench as Illawarra defeated defending champion Tasmania 102-78 and tightened its grip on first place.

On 5 February, Blanchfield (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) again delivered 17 points off the bench as the Hawks defeated New Zealand 96-82 and secured the first minor premiership in club history.

Illawarra completed the regular season with a 95-75 home win over Sydney, where Blanchfield (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) contributed at both ends as the Hawks finished first with a 20-9 record.

The Hawks recorded a 10-4 home record and went 10-5 on the road, completing the strongest regular season in club history.

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) were Illawarra’s two leading offensive players and were both selected to the All-NBL First Team.

Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds) earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds) and Days gave the Hawks scoring and rebounding throughout the rotation.

Harvey, Kell and Froling shared Illawarra’s club MVP award, while Tatum was named NBL Coach of the Year.

The semifinals opened in Wollongong, where Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) and Blanchfield (16 points and 6 rebounds) led Illawarra to a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne.

Joe Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) were best for the Phoenix in game one.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Matt Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) led South East Melbourne to a 101-94 win.

Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) and Blanchfield (6 points) were Illawarra’s leading contributors as the series was forced to a deciding game.

Game three saw Blanchfield deliver his best performance of the season, scoring 28 points and grabbing 4 rebounds while making a career-high eight three-pointers.

Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Blanchfield (28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered the Hawks to a 126-96 win, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led the Phoenix.

The Championship Series opened in Wollongong, where Matthew Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Chris Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) were Illawarra’s best in the opening loss.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals) led the Hawks to a 102-100 win.

Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led United, while Blanchfield (4 rebounds and 1 steal) went scoreless in 12 minutes as Illawarra levelled the series.

Game three returned to Wollongong, where Jack White (20 points and 5 rebounds), Dellavedova (16 points and 11 assists) and Clark (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne to an 83-77 win.

Hickey (12 points), Days (11 points and 4 rebounds), Kell (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Blanchfield (4 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra as United moved within one win of the championship.

Game four moved back to Melbourne, where Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Blanchfield (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) helped Illawarra win 80-71 and force a deciding game five.

Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points) led Melbourne, while Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) ruptured his Achilles during the second quarter and was ruled out of the series decider.

Game five returned to Wollongong, where Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) returned from a knee injury and combined with Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds) to lead the Hawks.

Goulding (21 points), Shea Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals), White (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Clark (15 points and 4 rebounds) were Melbourne’s leading performers.

Dellavedova was awarded the Larry Sengstock Medal as Championship Series MVP before handing the trophy to Hickey during Illawarra’s celebrations.

Blanchfield (8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) hit two important three-pointers as Illawarra defeated Melbourne 114-104 in front of 5,686 fans to win game five and secure his first NBL championship.

2025/26
After defeating Melbourne in five games to win its first championship in 24 years, Illawarra entered NBL26 as defending champions under coach Justin Tatum. Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki) departed, while Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida returned from the championship roster. Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Biwali Bayles (via Nyon), JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta), Harry Froling (via Melbourne), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) and Johny Narkle (via Geraldton), with Sam Froling unavailable while recovering from the Achilles injury suffered during the previous Championship Series.

Fresh from winning his first NBL championship, the 33-year-old re-signed with Illawarra on a three-year deal in April 2025, keeping him with the Hawks through NBL28. General Manager of Basketball Mat Campbell praised his leadership and ability to make important plays and shots off the bench.

Illawarra raised its championship banner at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Blanchfield (12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) provided two-way production off the bench, but Tasmania defeated the Hawks 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra, while Bryce Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s best.

Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) remained an experienced option off the bench, giving Tatum additional size, rebounding and perimeter shooting while making three starts. He became the 32nd player in league history to reach 450 NBL games and later made his 150th appearance for Illawarra, moving into 15th place on the club’s all-time games list.

His best scoring game came at Spark Arena on February 7, where Blanchfield (19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block) made three three-pointers during the fourth quarter as Illawarra attempted to recover from a 16-point deficit. Harvey (19 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Hickey (14 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 block) helped the Hawks close within two points, while Izaiah Brockington (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led New Zealand to a 106-95 victory that ended Illawarra’s hopes of defending its championship.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released following Illawarra’s winless start, with Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games) signed via Xinjiang as his replacement. Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the FIBA break, while Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) returned on Christmas night after missing the opening 18 games.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 31 games) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists across 31 games) became Illawarra’s two leading offensive players, with Peterson, Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games), Froling, Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games), Grida (6.3 points across 29 games) and Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) forming the other main contributors around Blanchfield. McGee was named club MVP, Grida received the Players’ Player and Most Improved Player awards, Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year and Peatling collected the Coach’s Award.

Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record and missed the postseason by one win. The Hawks closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18, where Blanchfield (5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) started as Illawarra defeated Tasmania 103-70, with Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Peterson (20 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading the Hawks while Josh Bannan (17 points and 4 rebounds) was Tasmania’s best.

Todd Blanchfield currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 463 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1 assists since entering the league in 2009.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 3 Year Deal (2025-28)

CAREER RANKINGS:
– 28th in total games played.