Todd, Jess and Billy Blanchfield love living by the ocean and are excited for the birth of baby number two. Photo: Blanchfield family.
The Illawarra Hawks have March circled as their shot at history, but Hawks veteran Todd Blanchfield has it circled for another very special reason.
As the Hawks launch into their campaign to win the National Basketball League foundation club’s second championship, the Blanchfield family will be on tenterhooks with baby number two due on 16 March.
That’s smack bang in the middle of a championship series, should the Hawks be lucky enough to make it through the semi-finals by beating South-East Melbourne.
“Our son Billy was born at 37 weeks and five days, so he was two weeks early … I guess it can be at any time,” Blanchfield says with a nervous laugh.
“We’re playing it by ear at the moment and we will cross that bridge when it comes to it.”
That’s a nervous wait for the Blanchfields, Hawks coach Justin Tatum and the Illawarra faithful.
Yet the birth of Blanchfield baby number two in Wollongong will provide a surprise bonus for Illawarra basketball.
Though Queensland natives, Blanchfield, wife Jess, little Billy, new bubba Blanchfield and their two golden retrievers have committed to staying in the region this NBL off-season.
Blanchfield has signed on to play NBL1 for the Illawarra Basketball Association’s Hawks side and the NBL veteran of more than 430 games and 16 seasons will be an incredible mentor for the region’s best up-and-coming young talent.
It further strengthens the bond the family has forged with Wollongong, Blanchfield having had two stints with the Hawks now from 2018-20 and the most recent two seasons.
“Jess and I are both from Mackay, which is coastal and everything is five minutes away … it’s the same here,” Blanchfield said.
“When we train or play at the WEC, I walk there. We love the ocean and outdoors, so this place is right up our alley and that’s why we naturally love it here. It’s what has always attracted us back.”
Since debuting with the Townsville Crocs in 2009, Blanchfield has forged an incredible career with an array of teams including the Crocs, Melbourne United, Sydney Kings, Perth Wildcats and the Hawks.
With his contract up for renewal, Blanchfield is open to playing out his career in Wollongong.
Blanchfield would love to play out his career with the Hawks. Photo: Illawarra Hawks.
“I definitely would not say no to that,” he said.
“I love this club. I love the people involved here.
“It’s regional, family orientated, everyone’s really close amongst the club and it’s what I really enjoy, especially at this point in my career. I’m a big believer if you’re happy away from the floor, that has an impact on the floor.”
The 33-year-old provides a veteran’s head and presence to a young Hawks outfit and has been a vital contributor to the team’s success, coming off the bench and troubleshooting for coach Tatum.
But his presence on the bench is almost as important.
“You see a lot of things in 16 years on the court and there’s probably not a lot of things I haven’t seen,” he said.
“So I talk to guys like Wani (Swaka Lo Buluk), who are playing bigger minutes, or the guys coming off, like even Tyler (Harvey). I see a different perspective to them when they are on the court and can tell those guys what I think.
“After a while, I guess you get the respect of those guys and they listen to what you have to say.”
An NBL championship is the one thing that has somehow miraculously evaded Blanchfield and it is the Hawks’ much-talked-about culture and bond that he thinks gives them an edge this season.
“I’ve been a part of a lot of groups, but the one thing that stands out is the camaraderie of this group,” he said.
“It’s the culture and it shows in the way we play … there is genuine excitement for the guy sitting next to you to go and do their thing, whether it’s two minutes or 32 minutes.”
And that culture has captivated the Blanchfield family.
“As a family, we’re really close and I have everybody asking how Jess is going or how Billy is going,” he said.
“Billy has had a few health issues early around food and dairy, that’s a long story short, and you’ve got the staff, Tyler and Trey (Kell) down to the ‘DPs’ (development players) asking how you are going.
“That’s special to me. This is my life and it’s cool, I want them to be a part of it.”
May the Illawarra long be a part of the Blanchfield family’s life and may they have more than one reason to celebrate this March …
The Hawks are currently competing in the NBL25 play-off series. For the Hawks’ finals information, visit the Finals Hub.
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