Norton, Blanchfield Exits A "Business Decision"

Sport is a business, and former Perth Wildcats pair Todd Blanchfield and Mitch Norton have faced a brutal reminder of that in recent days, as both had their contracts terminated by the club ahead of NBL24.

Blanchfield – who arrived at the Wildcats in 2020 - still had two years remaining on an extension signed in 2022, while two-time champion Norton was contracted to the club for the upcoming season.

Norton made no secrets of his love for the Wildcats organisation over his 144-game stint for the club, and former teammate and Perth legend Damian Martin says the guard gave no indication he was prepared to leave the West Australian side before retirement.

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“I know Mitch absolutely loves the Perth Wildcats club and had no desire to leave whatsoever,” Martin said on SEN. “It’s one of those things where you’re reminded it’s not a sport you’re playing, it’s a business you’re a part of and a business decision was made.

“John Rillie played a different style of basketball to what Trevor Gleeson did, even a different style to what Scott Morrison had in his one year at the Wildcats … you have to recruit according to the style of play the coach wants.

“I think he was still holding onto some hope he’d be here next year, but what happens if he rides the bench for another season and he comes off contract as a 31-year-old?

“What opportunities does he have if he pretty much has back-to-back seasons of not being out there for more than ten minutes a game?”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you, Norto. ??<br><br>The Perth Wildcats would like to thank two-time Wildcats champion Mitch Norton for his contributions during his time at the club. We wish Norto all the best for the future.<br><br>Full details: <a href="https://t.co/pgEpeSLgk1">https://t.co/pgEpeSLgk1</a> <a href="https://t.co/wpcoxusRAV">pic.twitter.com/wpcoxusRAV</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1646724997728309250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Blanchfield – a veteran of almost 400 NBL games across over a decade – has already gained interest around the competition for next season, as reported by ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc.

Whether the veteran sharpshooter ends up at one of his former sides in Illawarra or Sydney, or South East Melbourne – a trio of teams all interested in Blanchfield’s services according to Uluc – remains to be seen.

Martin believes the former NBL Most Improved Player could be afforded an opportunity outside of the NBL.

“I think Toddy Blanchfield ends up overseas somewhere,” Martin said. “I look at the success someone like Rhys Vague, Nick Kay, Angus Brandt have had in the Japanese league – it plays well, it’s a good style of play and there are a lot of Australian coaches over there.

Former Perth and current Shimane Susanoo Magic forward Nick Kay (11) stands alongside Todd Blanchfield (12) during the Boomers' recent FIBA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

“Shawn Dennis is over there and previously coached Todd in Townsville and he’d love to have him over there, Andrej Lemanis has coached with and against Todd.

“These Australian and New Zealand coaches Todd has had experience with, I could see them putting up there hand and saying ‘Todd, jump on a plane and head over the Japan’.

“Toddy Blanchfield can flat out play the game, he just wasn’t the style of player John Rillie was looking for.”

The Wildcats have already been active in NBL Free Agency, having brought in superstar centre Keanu Pinder, alongside emerging talent David Okwera.

Martin says the reneging on Blanchfield and Norton’s contract has allowed the club to bring in a star like Pinder to play alongside Bryce Cotton.

“Bryce Cotton is the best player in the league, and the team revolves around Bryce,” he said.

“It opens the door to bring in someone like a Keanu Pinder. Keanu would not have been cheap – he was amazing last year for Cairns, he’s been the NBL’s Most Improved Player in back-to-back seasons which is remarkable in itself.”