Anonymous
Years ago

Blanchfield joins Hawks

http://nbl.com.au/news/article/41908-hawks-snare-todd-blanchfield


The Illawarra Hawks have added free agent swingman Todd Blanchfield to their roster following his recent release.

Having played over 200 NBL Games most recently for the Sydney Kings the Hawks add a versatile player who can score from all parts of the court to the 2018/19 line up.

"We're excited to have Todd on board as a Hawk. Adding Todd to the line up is an important part of the season’s roster" General Manager Mat Campbell said.

“We have some quality Australian talent, which we can now look to compliment with three import positions still available. We are focussed on putting all the right pieces together to ensure a competitive and exciting team this season.”

After setting Mackay basketball on fire and then attending the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and representing at national levels, Blanchfield entered the NBL in 2009.

In his final season with the Townsville Crocs (2014-15) Blanchfield was named in the All-NBL Second team and won the Most Improved Player Award after averaging 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

After three seasons playing for Melbourne United and Sydney Kings star studded squads, the 26 year-old Blanchfield is looking to take a bigger role at the Hawks as he strives to become a regular Australian Boomers representative.

“We believe the Hawks environment will bring out the best in him.” Campbell added.

“He’s a team first player which will fit well within our Hawks culture.”

“This season is shaping up to be an exciting one to watch. There is some fantastic talent coming into the league, and we are excited to be able to showcase some of the world’s best basketball talent right here in Wollongong!” General Manager Mat Campbell added.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

That's where he should have gone three years ago!

Reply #688205 | Report this post


Hogwash  
Years ago

Hawks did well with this signing.

Reply #688209 | Report this post


Manu Fieldel  
Years ago

NBL superstar. Great signing

Reply #688213 | Report this post


FSTOS  
Years ago

Are you eligible to win NBL most improved player twice? Think he will be at least a 15 and 6 type again at the Hawks.

Reply #688215 | Report this post


Smith  
Years ago

Great signing considering the past three weeks for the Hawks.

Would love to see Bevo play him at the two and recruit imports into the PG,SF & PF spots. If they can nail the imports and land either Jervis or Andersen off the bench they could be very competitive. Hopefully Ellis returns also, he fits well into Bevos system.

Reply #688222 | Report this post


Hogwash  
Years ago

Could win any award more than once with exception of rookie of the year.

Reply #688233 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Ogilvy/Jervis
Import/Ellis
Blanchfield/Coenraad
Import2-3/Martin
Import1-2/Naar

Get at least two of the imports right and that could be a competitive team, especially if Ogilvy is fit.

Reply #688245 | Report this post


Fryz  
Years ago

On what planet is Rhys Martin playing minutes at the 2?
Import/Martin/Naar earlier on and hopefully import/Naar/Martin by the end of the season.

Reply #688248 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

As he has for a number of years under Bevo, he'll play both on and off the ball depending on the possession.

Reply #688249 | Report this post


LoveBroker  
Years ago

Nothing against Blanchfield but he is a significant drop off from Conger.

This means that Hawks have to really catch up in the Import PF position as their frontline doesn't look great.

Reply #688251 | Report this post


Manu Fieldel  
Years ago

Conger took a lot away from the others on his team imo

Reply #688252 | Report this post


LoveBroker  
Years ago

Conger took a lot away from the others on his team imo


I see.....19.7ppg @ 51%FG and 40%3PT, and equal top assist maker @ the Hawks, yeah no loss, might as well bring in Jerry Evans Jnr right?

Reply #688257 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Naar pg
Todd blanchfield SG
Conger sf
import
AJ c import

with a cheap bench and starts play 25 30 minutes. Can finish 4th

Reply #688259 | Report this post


Manu Fieldel  
Years ago

Team = teammates

Reply #688261 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

Some might view it as Conger took away from the team being a ball dominant player but IMO he was busy keeping that Hawks team afloat. Clarke seemed to go into his shell a bit, Ogilvy all but disappeared and the local core aged and fell away.

It was understandable to bring most of that team back given they made the GF the year before but I've said before I think they had quite a bit of help from the 36ers getting into that GF and were then put to the sword by Perth.

They went on a year too long with that group combined with AJ entering the witness protection program and Clarke either struggling to hit a shot or then reluctant to take them saw Conger doing the vast majority of the heavy lifting on that team.

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Anonymous  
Years ago

What happened to Clarke? He has regressed.

Reply #688282 | Report this post


AD  
Years ago

"Blanchfield/Coenraad"

Can these guys only play the 3?

Reply #688284 | Report this post


SteveK2  
Years ago

With all the AJ disappearing talks, I wonder if they adjust the calls by letting the bigs play, how would he cope?

Reply #688289 | Report this post


LoveBroker  
Years ago

AJ was injured for a significant part of the season, before that he was NBL 1st team so I am willing to give him some grace.

Reply #688290 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

It's been a noticeable decline over the past two seasons for AJ.

2015/16 - 31 games 16.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 1.5 spg, 54.5% fg

2016/17 - 34 games 11.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.0 spg, 46.4% fg

2017/18 - 22 games 9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 0.8 spg, 51.3% fg

Reply #688292 | Report this post


Zodiac  
Years ago

I don't think it's been mentioned in here but TB signed with the Hawks for 3 years too. I have to give him credit because I did think he would just use the opportunity with them to sign a bigger deal somewhere else the following season.

He's genuinely got his heart set on getting back into the Boomers conversation and that wouldn't have happened if he stayed at the Kings.

Reply #688294 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Ogilvy's year in 2016/17 was excellent for the most part, stats don't really tell the full story. Of course, he's long struggled to play through injury and to perform consistently in big games, but when fit he is still a very handy centre.

Reply #688300 | Report this post


Melbourne Boy  
Years ago

He signed for 3 years with the Hawks because he enjoyed his time living in Melbourne.

Reply #688302 | Report this post


LV  
Years ago

Was Ogilvy known to be struggling with injuries over the past 2 seasons, or is that just speculation to explain his rapid decline?

If AJ becomes 2015-16 Ogilvy and Blanchfield is 2014-15 Blanchfield, with 2 decent imports this team will be very competitive and might surprise. Any team with Bevo has a chance of regularly defeating more talented opponents, but if these two guys recapture old form that will help a lot.

Ogilvy is 29 and Blanchfield 26, so you never know.

Reply #688329 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Good signing. Illawarra will need to target a good Import 4. I think Conger and Blanchfield could play together on the wings on this team. Would be targeting.

Naar/Martin
Blanchfield/Heuir
Conger or Import 2/3/Coenraad
Import/Garlepp/Ellis
Ogilvy/Import

Reply #688342 | Report this post


AD  
Years ago

Is Camino still playing?
When sje's finished I can see them moving to the Gong

Reply #688389 | Report this post


Anonymous  
Years ago

Dazz is that you?

Reply #688394 | Report this post




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