Largely a role-player in previous stints with Melbourne and Sydney, the 27-year-old has fast become a go-to man for the Hawks, averaging 15 points and five rebounds at a tidy 44 per cent from three-point range.

In an otherwise bare three-point shooting cupboard, that razor sharp accuracy from long-range has made the incumbent Boomer a top scouting priority for opposition coaches.

It’s something coach Rob Beveridge conceded following the Hawks home loss to Perth last week. Blanchfield had 11 of his 16 points in the final quarter to cut  a 15-point deficit to five late, but was kept to just nine shots for the match.

Blanchfield admitted the extra attention is flattering, but something he’ll need to come to grips with as the season moves on.

“Obviously, when we scout guys you look at guys who are scoring for the other team, Bryce Cotton for Perth, Casper Ware in Melbourne,” Blanchfield said.

“They’re guys you have to shut down. Being one of those guys for the Hawks, it’s cool to be in that position, but I need to continue to work, I need to bring that physicality.

“Some fouls are going to be called, some aren’t, I need to learn how to deal with that. Taking my game to the next level now is about learning to get through that physicality and still playing the way I want to play and continue to get shots.

“Being one of those guys who’s being scouted now, I’ve got to look at the film and see how teams defend things so I have my own counters to that kind of stuff. I’ve got to do that work so that, when it comes game time, I’m just out there playing basketball without thinking too much.”

Blanchfield’s fast finish in the loss to the Wildcats mirrored the trend that’s emerged for his side over the opening month of a season that’s been plagued by slow starts to games.

It was no more evident than the 36 points they have up in the opening term against the Wildcats last Sunday and Blanchfield said it’s something they’ll need to address quickly ahead of Saturday’s road clash with Adelaide.

“If we can fix our first quarters, we’re a different beast,” he said.

“You can’t afford to give up 36 points, especially on your home floor and especially against a team like Perth.

“Fans come out an support us each week and to put on a first-quarter performance like that is not acceptable to us.

“It’s something we’ve adressed and something we have to fix because, in every game we’ve played, we’ve won the last three quarters. We’re consistent for 25-30 minutes but we need to string 30-35 minutes together.

“It’s literally just the first quarter that’s let us down. If we want to be competitive, we can’t afford to play catch up all year. This league’s too good, it’s too close and we need to be on the front foot from the get-go.”