Blennerhassett, 24, has been playing the past two seasons in the West Australian State Basketball League with Perry Lakes. He trained with the Miners on Tuesday night for the first time. He will be based in Melbourne.

Blennerhassett was signed up through his connection with new Miner's coach Matt Shanahan who originally played with the Wildcats before the South Dragons.

The signing completes the Miners' playing roster with Blennerhasset recruited specifically to act in a support role to the Miners' No 1 point guard Brett Goodgame. He will add a fair bit of experience to the Miners' line-up and is expected to help with the development of younger players. Blennerhassett, who played for Perth Wildcats in 2003-04, also was a teammate of ex-Miner Braith Cox.

The 185cm point guard believes he has a better chance of getting back into the NBL playing in the highly-competitive South East Australian Basketball League.

The Miners' coaching staff is looking at Blennerhassett to fill the No 2 point guard spot. Blennerhassett said he was looking forward to the first round hit-out against Kilsyth in about a fortnight. "Late last year I contacted Matt and he initially suggested Kilsyth might be looking for a point guard, but when the Miners lost so many players, he asked me to come here, so I hope I will fit in well. "I am really excited and looking forward to the competition here," he said.