Todd Blanchfield Explained
Todd Blanchfield (born 7 November 1991) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Mackay Meteors of the NBL1 North. He is also contracted with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). He began his NBL career in 2009 with the Townsville Crocodiles, where he played six seasons. Between 2015 and 2023, he played for Melbourne United (2015–17), Sydney Kings (2017–18), Illawarra Hawks (2018–20) and Perth Wildcats (2020–23). In 2017, he won a gold medal with Australia at the FIBA Asia Cup.
Early life
Born and raised in Mackay, Queensland,[1] Blanchfield attended Mackay State High School[2] and played for representative teams of Mackay Basketball Association.[3] In January 2008, he travelled to the United States on an Australian schoolboys tour of North Carolina.
Professional career
NBL
Townsville Crocodiles (2009–2015)
In July 2009, Blanchfield signed with the Townsville Crocodiles of the National Basketball League. He appeared in 10 games during the 2009–10 season as a development player.[4] [5]
In June 2010, Blanchfield signed a three-year contract with the Crocodiles. In 27 games during the 2010–11 season, he averaged 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. In 31 games during the 2011–12 season, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
In May 2012, Blanchfield signed a two-year extension to remain under contract with the Crocodiles through the 2014–15 season.[6] [7]
In 2012–13, Blanchfield averaged 9.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28 games. He went on to average 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28 games during the 2013–14 season.
In 2014–15, Blanchfield earned NBL Player of the Week honours twice.[8] [9] He was named the NBL's Most Improved Player[10] and earned All-NBL Second Team honours.[11] In 28 games, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
Melbourne United (2015–2017)
On 22 May 2015, Blanchfield signed a two-year deal with Melbourne United.[12] [13] In his debut for United on 9 October 2015 in the team's season opener, Blanchfield scored a career-high 29 points with seven 3-pointers in a 99–84 win over the Crocodiles.[14] He went on to help United earn the minor premiership after finishing the regular season in first place with an 18–10 record. However, in their semi-final series against the fourth-seeded New Zealand Breakers, United were swept 2–0 to bow out of the playoffs.[15] Blanchfield appeared in all 30 games for United in 2015–16, averaging 9.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
On 16 October 2016, in United's fourth game of the 2016–17 season, Blanchfield hit eight 3-pointers and scored 27 points on 9-of-11 shooting in a 95–83 win over the Illawarra Hawks.[16] [17] He later missed three weeks with a groin injury.[18] [19] For the season, he averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 22 games.
Sydney Kings (2017–2018)
On 24 March 2017, Blanchfield signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Kings.[20] On 8 May 2018, he was released by the Kings per his request. In his lone season with Sydney, Blanchfield averaged 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc.[21]
Illawarra Hawks (2018–2020)
On 11 May 2018, Blanchfield signed a three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks.[22] On 6 January 2020, he scored a career-high 35 points in a 102–96 loss to the Adelaide 36ers.[23] He won his second successive Hawks MVP award in 2019–20 while averaging 13 points and four rebounds per game.[24]
Blanchfield became a free agent following the 2019–20 season[25] [26] following an ownership change at the Hawks.
Perth Wildcats (2020–2023)
On 20 July 2020, Blanchfield signed a two-year contract with the Perth Wildcats.[27] [28] In game one of the Wildcats' semi-final series against the Illawarra Hawks on 10 June 2021, they lost 74–72 despite a game-high 24 points from Blanchfield.[29] [30] After winning game two 79–71,[31] [32] Blanchfield scored 21 of his 24 points in the first half of the Wildcats' 79–71 win in game three to clinch the series 2–1.[33] In game one of the grand final series against Melbourne United, the Wildcats lost 73–70 despite a game-high 27 points from Blanchfield.[34] [35] They went on to lose the series 3–0.[36] [37] [38] [39]
On 21 September 2021, Blanchfield was sidelined for three to four months after undergoing surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee.[40] He returned from injury in mid December,[41] but in just his second game of the season, he re-injured his left knee.[42] He was subsequently ruled out for a further three to four weeks.[43] On 6 March 2022, he scored 17 of his season-high 22 points in the first quarter of the Wildcats' 92–73 win over the Adelaide 36ers.[44]
On 27 May 2022, Blanchfield re-signed with the Wildcats on a three-year deal.[45] He played his 350th NBL game in October 2022.[46] [47]
On 14 April 2023, Blanchfield parted ways with the Wildcats.[48]
Return to Illawarra (2023–present)
On 28 June 2023, Blanchfield signed a two-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[49] In March 2024, he played his 400th NBL game.[50]
Australian state leagues and New Zealand NBL
In 2007, Blanchfield played his first season with the Mackay Meteors in QBL, where he was a valuable member of the team despite being just 15 years old. He moved to Canberra in 2008 and played in the SEABL for the AIS,[51] where he averaged five points and two rebounds in 12 games.[52] He returned to the Meteors in 2009 and averaged 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.[53] With the Meteors in 2010,[54] he averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 21 games.
In 2011, Blanchfield played for the Townsville Heat.[55] He averaged 18.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18 games, and was named in the QBL All-League Team.[56] With the Heat in 2012, he earned QBL All-League Team honours for the second straight year after averaging 19.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 13 games. With the Heat in 2013, he averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 13 games.
Blanchfield returned to the Meteors in 2014[57] and helped them reach the grand final.[58] He earned QBL All-League Team honours for the third time in four years.[59] [60] In 18 games, he averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
On 9 January 2015, Blanchfield signed with the Southland Sharks as an import for the 2015 New Zealand NBL season.[61] [62] He scored a game-high 28 points in his debut for the Sharks.[63] [64] He later earned NBL Player of the Week honours for round eight[65] and led the Sharks to victory in the grand final with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds in a 72–68 win over the Wellington Saints.[66] For the season, he earned NBL All-Star Five honours.[67] In 20 games, he averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
In 2017, Blanchfield played with the Townsville Heat as a short-term injury replacement for Jamell Anderson.[68] [69]
In 2018, Blanchfield returned to the Meteors[70] and averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 47% shooting, which saw him voted league MVP and a member of the QBL All-League Team.[71]
On 18 March 2019, Blanchfield signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2019 New Zealand NBL season, returning to the team for a second stint.[72] In 19 games, he averaged 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Blanchfield was set to play for the Rockhampton Rockets in the NBL1 North in 2020,[73] but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He re-joined Rockhampton in 2022.[74]
In April 2023, Blanchfield joined the Gold Coast Rollers of the NBL1 North.[75] He was named to the All-NBL1 North First Team[76] and helped the team reach the grand final series.[77]
Blanchfield joined the Mackay Meteors in the 2024 NBL1 North season.[78] He was named to the NBL1 North First Team for the second straight year.[79] He went on to help the Meteors win the NBL1 North championship while earning Finals MVP.[80]
National team career
In 2008, Blanchfield earned selection for the under 19 Australian Emus squad. He helped the Emus defeat the United States to claim bronze at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany.[81] Later that year, helped the Emus claim bronze at the William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
In 2012, Blanchfield played for Australia at the Stanković Cup,[82] where he won a silver medal.[83] In 2013, he played for Australia at the Stanković Cup[84] and the World University Games,[85] where he won gold and silver respectively.[86]
In 2017, Blanchfield won a gold medal with Australia at the FIBA Asia Cup.[87]
In June 2022, Blanchfield was named in the Boomers' World Cup Qualifiers team.[88] He re-joined the team for the next qualifying window in February 2023.[89]
In April 2023, Blanchfield helped the Australia 3x3 team win silver at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup.[90] Twelve months later, he helped Australia win gold at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup.[91] He was named tournament MVP in 2024 after top scoring with 47 points in five games.[92]
Personal life
As of October 2023, Blanchfield and his wife Jess were expecting their first child in December 2023.[93]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield on 200 NBL games . melbourneutd.com.au . 5 February 2017 . 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Mackay's Olympics hopefuls working toward Rio 2016 . DailyMercury.com.au . 11 April 2016 . 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Blanchfield makes some big strides . DailyMercury.com.au . 5 February 2008 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Player statistics for Todd Blanchfield . FoxSportsPulse.com . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Payne . Charlie . Blanchfield offered NBL deal . DailyMercury.com.au . 4 June 2010 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Blanchfield back with the Crocodiles . DailyMercury.com.au . 3 May 2012 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Blanchfield extends future with Crocs . NBL.com.au . 4 May 2012 . 6 March 2015.
- News: R16 Player of the Week: Todd Blanchfield . Crocodiles.com.au . 28 January 2015 . 6 March 2015.
- News: R18 Player of the Week: Todd Blanchfield . Crocodiles.com.au . 10 February 2015 . 6 March 2015.
- News: NBL Awards: Todd Blanchfield Most Improved . Crocodiles.com.au . 1 March 2015 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: NBL AWARDS: All-NBL First Team . NBL.com.au . 6 March 2015 . 6 March 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150311165709/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/sdosmznqddpe1js1gnk67ey2j . 11 March 2015.
- Web site: Ward . Roy . Melbourne United sign Todd Blanchfield on two-year deal from Townsville Crocodiles . SMH.com.au . 22 May 2015 . 6 August 2015.
- Web site: Townsville Crocodiles swingman Todd Blanchfield signs with Melbourne United . TownsvilleBulletin.com.au . 22 May 2015 . 6 August 2015.
- Web site: Ward . Roy . Todd Blanchfield dominates in return to Townsville . SMH.com.au . 9 October 2015 . 9 October 2015.
- News: SF2 REPORT: BREAKERS SWEEP UNITED TO ENTER GRAND FINAL . NBL.com.au . 20 February 2016 . 22 February 2016.
- News: BLANCHFIELD STARS IN UNITED STATEMENT WIN . NBL.com.au . 16 October 2016 . 16 October 2016.
- News: Williams . Rebecca . Todd Blanchfield fires as Melbourne United down Illawarra Hawks . HeraldSun.com.au . 16 October 2016 . 16 October 2016.
- News: TODD BLANCHFIELD RULED OUT WITH INJURY . MelbourneUtd.com.au . 4 November 2016 . 6 November 2016.
- News: Ward . Roy . Melbourne United release star import Cedric Jackson, replacement to follow . SMH.com.au . 9 November 2016 . 9 November 2016.
- News: TODD BLANCHFIELD THE NEWEST KING! . SydneyKings.com . 24 March 2017 . 24 March 2017.
- News: Sydney Kings Grant Release to Todd Blanchfield . NBL.com.au . 8 May 2018 . 8 May 2018.
- News: Illawarra Hawks Snare Todd Blanchfield . NBL.com.au . 11 May 2018 . 11 May 2018.
- Web site: Sixers Survive Blanchfield Blast for Crucial Win. hawks.com.au. 7 January 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: O'Donoghue. Craig. Perth Wildcats sign former Boomers wing Todd Blanchfield to two-year deal. PerthNow.com.au. 20 July 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: 2019-20 Player Contract Status. NBL.com.au. 4 July 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Santamaria. Liam. NBL21 Free Agency Preview: Everything You Need to Know. NBL.com.au. 13 July 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Wildcats Add Todd Blanchfield. NBL.com.au. 20 July 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Wildcats sign Todd Blanchfield. Wildcats.com.au. 20 July 2020. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Hawks defy history for dramatic win in Perth. NBL.com.au. 10 June 2021. 10 June 2021.
- Web site: Ball security, rebounding costs Wildcats at home. Wildcats.com.au. 10 June 2021. 10 June 2021.
- Web site: DP Travers leads Wildcats over Hawks to force Game 3. NBL.com.au. 12 June 2021. 12 June 2021.
- Web site: Gutsy Wildcats force decider. Wildcats.com.au. 12 June 2021. 12 June 2021.
- Web site: Wildcats prevail over Hawks in Game 3. NBL.com.au. 14 June 2021. 14 June 2021.
- Web site: United hold off walking wounded Wildcats. NBL.com.au. 18 June 2021. 18 June 2021.
- Web site: Gallant Wildcats fall in Game One thriller. Wildcats.com.au. 18 June 2021. 18 June 2021.
- Web site: United too powerful to take 2-0 Grand Final lead. NBL.com.au. 20 June 2021. 20 June 2021.
- Web site: Gutsy Wildcats rue missed opportunity. Wildcats.com.au. 20 June 2021. 20 June 2021.
- Web site: United secure NBL21 championship on home court. NBL.com.au. 25 June 2021. 25 June 2021.
- Web site: So proud of the boys: Gleeson. Wildcats.com.au. 25 June 2021. 25 June 2021.
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield sidelined. Wildcats.com.au. 21 September 2021. 21 September 2021.
- Web site: Rebounding major factor in double-overtime loss. Wildcats.com.au. 12 December 2021. 17 December 2021.
- Web site: Cotton, Wagstaff Lead 'Cats to Earn Revenge on Bullets. NBL.com.au. 17 December 2021. 17 December 2021.
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield Injury Update. Wildcats.com.au. 22 December 2021. 22 December 2021.
- Web site: Wildcats capitalise on hot start in Adelaide. Wildcats.com.au. 6 March 2022. 6 March 2022.
- Web site: Wildcats re-sign Todd Blanchfield. Wildcats.com.au. 27 May 2022. 27 May 2022.
- Web site: Blanchfield 350: A Career Timeline. NBL.com.au. 10 October 2022. 10 October 2022.
- Web site: Perth Wins Big in Blanch's 350th. NBL.com.au. 10 October 2022. 10 October 2022.
- Web site: Perth Wildcats Thank Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield. Wildcats.com.au. 14 April 2023. 14 April 2023.
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield Returns to the Illawarra Hawks. Hawks.com.au. 28 June 2023. 28 June 2023.
- Web site: Woods. Todd. Todd Blanchfield: The ultimate team man. NBL.com.au. 1 March 2024. 1 March 2024.
- Web site: Todd on rapid rise to top . DailyMercury.com.au . 22 April 2008 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Australian Institute of Sport – 2009 SEABL preview . SEABL.com.au . 6 March 2015 . dead . https://archive.today/20170417170518/http://www.seabl.com.au/uploads/media/mais_02.pdf . 17 April 2017 . dmy-all .
- Web site: Boxall . Sally . Todd's been snapped up . DailyMercury.com.au . 27 July 2009 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Payne . Charlie . Todd hopes to make NBL final . DailyMercury.com.au . 27 February 2010 . 6 March 2015.
- News: Croc Sightings . Crocodiles.com.au . 3 June 2011 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: All League Teams . qabl.basketball.net.au . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Meteors Homecoming For Blanchfield . FoxSportsPulse.com . 31 January 2014 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Plane . Melanie . VIDEO: Rockets are the toast of QBL again . TheMorningBulletin.com.au . 1 September 2014 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: QBL Award Winners . FoxSportsPulse.com . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Kippin . Lauren . 2014 QBL AWARDS WINNERS . BasketballQLD.com.au . 21 August 2014 . 5 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150312221304/http://www.basketballqld.com.au/latest-news/competition-news/qbl/2014-qbl-awards-winners . 12 March 2015 . dmy-all .
- Web site: Anderson . Niall . Sharks Tab Blanchfield As Second Import . NZhoops.co.nz . 9 January 2015 . 6 March 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150113034708/http://nzhoops.co.nz/sharks-tab-blanchfield-second-import/ . 13 January 2015.
- Web site: Sharks sign Todd Blanchfield . Australiabasket.com . 9 January 2015 . 6 March 2015 . dead . https://archive.today/20150309153709/http://www.australiabasket.com/New-Zealand/basketball.asp?NewsID=389638 . 9 March 2015.
- Web site: Sharks vs Jets . FIBALiveStats.com . 1 April 2015 . 1 April 2015.
- Web site: Burdon . Nathan . Southland Sharks make winning start to NBL season against Manawatu Jets . Stuff.co.nz . 1 April 2015 . 1 April 2015.
- Web site: SHARKS BLANCHFIELD IS PLAYER OF THE WEEK . Basketball.org.nz . 26 May 2015 . 26 May 2015.
- Web site: Hyslop. Liam. Southland Sharks beat Wellington Saints in tense NBL final. Stuff.co.nz. 5 July 2015. 5 July 2015.
- Web site: CRAIG WINS MVP . Basketball.org.nz . 6 July 2015 . 9 July 2015.
- News: HEAT SECURE BLANCHFIELD RETURN TO TOWNSVILLE . qbl.basketballqld.com.au . 26 May 2017 . 26 May 2017.
- News: Peters . Madolyn . Former Heat player fills in for old team . dailymercury.com.au . 1 June 2017 . 14 February 2018.
- News: McKenzie . Daniel . Homecoming king eyes Meteors' championship . dailymercury.com.au . 7 February 2018 . 13 February 2018.
- News: 2018 QBL Season Review . qbl.basketballqld.com.au . 29 August 2018 . 29 August 2018.
- News: Southland Sharks coach pleased to have Blanchfield in team . Stuff.co.nz . 18 March 2019 . 18 March 2019.
- News: Rockets Sign Todd Blanchfield For NBL1 North Season . nbl1.com.au . 16 January 2020 . 9 May 2022.
- News: ROCKETS SIGN TODD BLANCHFIELD . rockhamptonbasketball.com.au . 8 April 2022 . 9 May 2022.
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield . nbl1.com.au . 17 April 2023.
- Web site: NBL1 North First & Second Team | Men's. facebook.com/basketballqld. 17 July 2023. 17 July 2023.
- Web site: Garland. Jake. NBL1 North: Gold Coast Rollers will look to repeat their late 80s triumph. codesports.com.au. 31 July 2023. 2 August 2023. dead. https://archive.today/20230802080902/https://www.codesports.com.au/basketball/nbl/nbl1-north-gold-coast-rollers-will-look-to-repeat-their-late-80s-triumph/news-story/ee2b1cec3931c841cf97577f53486e91. 2 August 2023.
- Web site: NBL1 Homecoming For Mackay Star Blanchfield. mackaybasketball.com. 18 December 2023. 18 December 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231218104403/https://www.mackaybasketball.com/news/nbl1-homecoming-for-mackay-star-blanchfield. 18 December 2023.
- Web site: NBL1 North Men's First Team. facebook.com/basketballqld. 15 July 2024. 15 July 2024.
- Web site: Mackay Meteors win the 2024 NBL1 North championship. NBL1.com.au. 3 August 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240803133506/https://nbl1.com.au/article/mackay-meteors-win-the-2024-nbl1-north-championship. 3 August 2024.
- Web site: EMUS SQUAD NAMED FOR JUNE CAMP . Basketball.net.au . 26 May 2008 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: STANKOVIC CUP TEAM NAMED . Basketball.net.au . 5 July 2012 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: AUSTRALIANS FINISH SECOND IN STANKOVIC CUP . Basketball.net.au . 11 July 2012 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: EMERGING BOOMERS TALENT READY FOR STANKOVIC CUP . Basketball.net.au . 27 June 2013 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: AUSTRALIAN TEAMS NAMED FOR 2013 WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES . Basketball.net.au . 27 June 2013 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Nagy . Boti . Boomers squad – without Jason Cadee and Chris Goulding – 'best in years' . HeraldSun.com.au . 5 August 2013 . 6 March 2015.
- Web site: Todd Blanchfield. archive.fiba.com. 20 July 2020.
- Web site: Boomers Team Named for World Cup Qualifiers. NBL.com.au. 9 June 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609103032/https://nbl.com.au/news/boomers-team-named-for-world-cup-qualifiers-june. 9 June 2022. 9 June 2022.
- Web site: Boomers ready to hit the burbs. australia.basketball. 22 February 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414074712/https://australia.basketball/boomers-ready-to-hit-the-burbs/. 14 April 2023.
- Web site: Our Gold & Silver Gangurrus. australia.basketball. 3 April 2023. 3 April 2023.
- Web site: Woods. Dan. Australia sweeps FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup. NBL.com.au. 31 March 2024. 1 April 2024.
- Web site: Australia win double at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024. fiba3x3.com. 31 March 2024. 1 April 2024.
- Web site: O'Donoghue. Craig. Dribble Podcast: Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield open up on messy exit from Perth Wildcats. TheWest.com.au. 25 October 2023. 25 October 2023. live. https://archive.today/20231025104102/https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/dribble-podcast-mitch-norton-and-todd-blanchfield-open-up-on-messy-exit-from-perth-wildcats--c-12308167. 25 October 2023.