Rillie Opens Up on Emotional Farewells

If, prior to a ball being bounced in NBL23, someone had said neither Todd Blanchfield nor Mitch Norton would be playing at the Perth Wildcats in NBL24, they’d have received some odd looks.

That’s the scenario that’s come to fruition though. Despite initially being contracted for this season – and, in Blanchfield’s case, NBL25 – the pair have left the side after the cancellation of their contracts.

Norton has since returned to his home state with the Brisbane Bullets, while Blanchfield is still yet to officially sign on with a club for next season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the Bullets, <a href="https://twitter.com/mitch_norton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mitch_norton</a> <br><br>“He fits who we want to be perfectly. He’s hardworking, an elite defender and a great culture fit”. Hostplus head coach, Justin Schueller.<br><br>We’re building our team for NBL24, build yours with @technologypeople<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIVERCITYSTRONG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIVERCITYSTRONG</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZwDZvWyG5S">pic.twitter.com/ZwDZvWyG5S</a></p>&mdash; Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets/status/1648522672882745345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wildcats head coach John Rillie says there was more than met the eye in how the pair’s departures came about.

“The two guys you talk about – Norton and Blanchfield – they are guys I have known since they were teenagers,” Rillie told SEN. “I used to drive Mitch Norton home from Townsville Crocodiles practices.

“The conversations are never easy … it never is, and for most of the public, they just see the end result.

“There were some tough conversations that had to be made over the off-season.”

Despite having relationships with both Norton and Blanchfield that span for over a decade, Rillie concludes that the best decision for both the Wildcats – and the players – was to let them go.

“I’m responsible for the Perth Wildcats and the success of the Perth Wildcats,” he said.

“Wildcats ... but then as a human I’m also responsible for trying to give the people the best opportunity to have their own career.

“If those two things are not in the same parallel decisions and discussions have to be made.”