Blogg Living The Dream

Monday, April 24, 2023

Melbourne United development player Campbell Blogg has expressed his emotions on the achievement of reaching the NBL level, and the United journey that has helped get him there.

Photo by: Ian Knight

A lifetime dream has become reality for Melbourne United signing Campbell Blogg, with the 19-year-old expressing his excitement in a recent chat with NBL Media.

Blogg was a training player for United last pre-season and has now earned a place on their roster as a development player.

“It's super exciting. It's something I've dreamed of my entire life as a little kid. Being in the NBL was just always a goal of mine and I'm just super happy that it's finally happened,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SIGNED ??<a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> have signed <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL1</a> South star and Sandringham Sabres captain Campbell Blogg as a development player for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a><br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/CuBcousRc9">https://t.co/CuBcousRc9</a> <a href="https://t.co/yDwSNXxqD7">pic.twitter.com/yDwSNXxqD7</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1646348396201148417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Blogg’s journey with United started last year - set to fly to America to play college basketball, he received a last-minute call.

Melbourne's head coach Dean Vickerman was on the other end of the phone and with an intriguing offer - one that would change the youngster's life.

Blogg was given the opportunity to train with United; it was a offer he simply couldn't refuse.

“It was literally a week before I was meant to go over, I got the call from Dean. He was saying how much he liked my game and he wanted me to stick around as a training player,” he said.

“I couldn’t say no to that, being around a professional environment. It was the better decision for me. Being home with family and friends, that definitely helped as well.”

Vickerman wasn't going to make it easy though. If he wanted to stay on, Blogg would have to earn it.

“That was always the goal, but I was obviously always told that everything had to be earned,” he said.

“As a training player I wasn’t guaranteed to get the spot this year and I had to really work for it.

“I had that chip on my shoulder to just keep grinding and eventually it’s all paid off and I got that DP spot.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Campbell Cam ?<br>Take a look at some of Campbell Blogg's best highlights from the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL1</a> South where he is currently the captain of the Sandringham Sabres.<br><br>Join Campbell on his journey through NBL24 by becoming a United Member today: <a href="https://t.co/Fx6HpA7IPf">https://t.co/Fx6HpA7IPf</a> <a href="https://t.co/FljuAQp9Nt">pic.twitter.com/FljuAQp9Nt</a></p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1646362578380111872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

An impressive achievement for the young guard has been his captaincy, at just 19-years-old, of the NBL1 club the Sandringham Sabres, where he plays under coach, and United stalwart, David Barlow.

“Barlow has taken me under his wing, he’s put so much trust in me and the team,” Blogg said.

“I’m learning so much from him and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me.”

Blogg believes the experience with United and in the NBL1 has him well placed for a spot in Australia's top league. Now, he's just waiting for his opportunity - waiting for NBL24.

“I’m full of confidence, I’ve got lots of trust in my shot,” Blogg said.

“A part of me that’s been overlooked is my play-making. I think I can do a good job of getting players in the right spot, but also to take that opportunity if it’s there to go get one of my own.”

United will play their first game of the NBL24 season against their rivals, the South East Melbourne Phoenix, in the first Throwdown of the season on September 28.

Tip-off against the Phoenix is 7:30pm AEST at John Cain Arena. To view the full schedule, click here.