Player Addin Fonua-Blake

[Beastmode]

Man some of you are worse than a jealous women scorned.

I don’t fault AFB with his decision. His decision. His life. Yeah, not great but thank you for your services sir. He could have chosen Melbourne or some hick town in Queensland to escape from Sydney but he chose us. I’m grateful for that. He’s given it 100 % for this club.

Hoping 2024 is our year and him, SJ, Harris? All in for 2024 and leave on a high

Don’t know who his manager is, but the guy is a genius

 

[Worried2Death]

NRL news: Which clubs are in the $1m race to sign Addin Fonua-Blake | Daily Telegraph​

On the surface, the Warriors have managed to salvage a win from the shock news that star forward Addin Fonua-Blake wants to leave New Zealand for personal reasons.
Instead of walking out on the club immediately, an agreement has been reached that Fonua-Blake remains at the Warriors for at least the 2024 season.

The reality is though, the delay of the 27-year-old’s departure is a bigger win for Fonua-Blake, widely-regarded as one of the most devastating props in the world.

A bidding war is brewing for Addin Fonua-Blake … but which NRL clubs have the space to accommodate him? Picture: Getty Images
The additional time – instead of leaving now – will allow rival clubs to re-jig their roster, make room in their salary cap, and prepare for a $1 million-plus pitch for his arrival at his new club in 2025.

A bidding war beckons.

Let’s look at your club’s chance of signing the rare and rough diamond, including every team’s 2024 off-contract list of forwards.

What your club needs to do to sign Fonua-Blake​

Bulldogs​

Off contract 2024 forwards: Samuel Hughes, Max King, Liam Knight, Chris Patolo.
Fonua-Blake is exactly what the Bulldogs are missing; a hard-nosed enforcer up front. However, the Dogs lack of “marquee money” available in their pack at the end of 2024 is an issue. They would need to release a big name player early from their 2025 or 2026 contract in order to bring AFB in.

Rabbitohs​

Off contract: Thomas Burgess, Michael Chee-Kam, Ben Lovett, Shaquai Mitchell.
A genuine chance. Fonua-Blake began his rugby league journey in the Rabbitohs lower grades. Burgess would free-up cap space at the end of 2024, but it would take even more than that, which would entail the early release of an already contracted player to fit AFB in.

Sharks​

Off-contract: Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Toby Rudolf, Jack Williams
The Sharks have been willing to source their replacements for legendary spearheads Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita from within their current roster. Yet they can only wait for so long, particularly when a player like AFB emerges. Rudolf, Hamlin-Uele and Williams need huge 2024 seasons, while veteran leader Dale Finucane is off-contract at the end of 2025.

Tigers​

Off contract: Shawn Blore, Asu Kepaoa
Slim pickings for the Wests Tigers to create the necessary space in their salary cap. A window of opportunity could emerge if the Tigers miss the 2024 finals and promising prop Stefano Utoikamanu activates a related get-out clause.

Eels​

Off contract: Makahesi Makatoa, Jirah Momoisea, Ofahiki Ogden
Long odds are the Eels with all their money in the pack tied-up in Reagan Campbell-Gillard (2025), Junior Paulo (2026), Shaun Lane (2026) and Ryan Matterson (2026).

Roosters​

Off contract: Nat Butcher, Angus Crichton, Terrell May, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Naufahu Whyte
Here come the Roosters, with a host of big-money forwards off-contract. AFB represents the perfect replacement for club legend Waerea-Hargreaves.

Panthers​

Off contract: Matthew Eisenhuth, Luke Garner, Zac Hosking
The Panthers wouldn’t view AFB as a priority. The Warriors will need an answer of their own to replace AFB, which could lead to the question of an unlikely swap for AFB by taking one of either James Fisher-Harris, or Moses Leota. Both proud Kiwis...stranger things have happened.

Dragons​

Off contract: Jack de Belin, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Dan Russell, Jaydn Su’A
The favourites to land Fonua-Blake if he had been successful in getting out of the Warriors immediately. Saints have money to spend - right now. They will suffer from the new timeline and added competition in the market. They could assist the Warriors by offering one of the Molo brothers or De Belin, who was close to signing with the Warriors in 2020.

Sea Eagles​

Off contract: Zac Fulton, Karl Lawton, Ben Trbojevic, Corey Waddell
Highly unlikely. Manly were content to release AFB to the Warriors in 2020 and they also have massive money tied-up in Haumole Olakau’atu (2025), Jake Trbojevic (2026) and Josh Schuster (2028).

Knights​

Off contract: Mat Croker, Jacob Saifiti, Toni Tupouniua
With Saifiti off-contract, the Knights have wiggle room if they wanted to pursue AFB. Another potential move could be that the Warriors try and lure outstanding young prop Leo Thompson back to his home of NZ, in a swap deal for AFB.

Raiders​

Off contract: Peter Hola, Ata Mariota, Trey Mooney, Pasami Saulo, Elliott Whitehead
Outsiders. He would be the perfect replacement for Josh Papalii, but the champion Raiders prop isn’t off-contract until the end of 2025.

Storm​

Off contract: Nil
AFB wants to move to Sydney to be closer to his parents, which makes it difficult for the Storm to be considered serious contenders. However, nothing was more certain in review of Melbourne’s 2023 season was that they missed a big man in the middle. AFB would solve their problems.

Broncos​

Off contract: Kurt Capewell, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Martin Taupau
The Broncos already have Payne Haas on over $1 million and still need to retain Ezra Maam and Reece Walsh. Almost impossible to throw similar money at AFB without tearing apart their squad.

Cowboys​

Off contract: Coen Hess, Sam McIntyre, Jordan McLean, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Little chance. Like the Broncos, the Cowboys have $1 milion tied-up in their pack with Jason Taumololo until the end of 2027.

Dolphins​

Off contract: Jesse Bromwich, Mark Nicholls, Ray Stone, Jarrod Wallace
AFB would make an ideal replacement for Bromwich, but like their interstate rivals, the Dolphins location would make it difficult.

Titans​

Off contract: Jacob Alick, Klese Haas, Isaac Liu, Joe Stimson
No chance with key forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita on monster deals.

Sombreros are the ones who leap out to me as most likely on that list.

 

[Juno]

Meh, let him go if he doesn't 100% commit from the get-go in 2024.
Under Webby we've started a new Era imo and you're either 100% or go.
The Kiwis showed how to nullify Haas ffs. AFB playing against us shouldn't be a consideration if we work on that type of play/ defence.
Yes, we need 2-3 front rowers. Got 12 months to work on that, less if AFB doesn't toe the line.
100% committed or don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Having said that, whatever the issues are, if he can give us what he has been - AFB, you're the man!
Be interesting how it plays out...

 

[UpTheWahs]

I don’t fault AFB with his decision.

You are happy with him extending last year, then asking for an immediate release with 3 years to go, going to media, and then agreeing to stay on for another year?

He could have chosen Melbourne or some hick town in Queensland to escape from Sydney but he chose us.

Lol, that's nothing to admire. 1) He hung out with the wrong crowd and feared for his safety living in Australia and 2) Condition of release from Manly was that he could only go to Warriors.

Don’t know who his manager is, but the guy is a genius

Shitting on a contract is genius now? Forget the 'contract is worth worth the paper it's written on' crap. The only way they can break a contract is if the player threatens to be a c#nt. A contract is binding. And the greedy manager is obviously relying on Warriors being understanding with these compassionate crap before.

Man some of you are worse than a jealous women scorned.

Some people have standards.

 

[Beastmode]

You are happy with him extending last year, then asking for an immediate release with 3 years to go, going to media, and then agreeing to stay on for another year?


Lol, that's nothing to admire. 1) He hung out with the wrong crowd and feared for his safety living in Australia and 2) Condition of release from Manly was that he could only go to Warriors.



Shitting on a contract is genius now? Forget the 'contract is worth worth the paper it's written on' crap. The only way they can break a contract is if the player threatens to be a c#nt. A contract is binding. And the greedy manager is obviously relying on Warriors being understanding with these compassionate crap before.



Some people have standards.

No I’m not happy

But I’m not butt hurt either

 

[UpTheWahs]

No I’m not happy

But I’m not butt hurt either

I'd rather be butt hurt than admit on a forum shitting on your employer who's paying you a million dollars a season and backflipping is genius.

 

[Matiunz]

Bro if I signed a contract with McDonald's for 5 years then KFC comes along and says well pay you more. Get fucked McDonald's. All the contract does is stipulate how long the clubs paying you for. Not how long you have to stay. Can't force a man to work imo.

Completely different scenario, Maccas or KFC for example can fire you for poor performance whereas NRL contracts have the safety net of a fixed term. Players can’t have their cake and eat it too, if they want to leave whenever they want do they also take the risk of unemployment or reduced pay if they aren’t performing?
Plenty of contracts have target based payments or fixed terms that you can’t walk out of without significant financial penalty. Lawyers and accountants for instance will often pay for education on the proviso that you stay with them for x amount of years etc

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Completely different scenario, Maccas or KFC for example can fire you for poor performance whereas NRL contracts have the safety net of a fixed term. Players can’t have their cake and eat it too, if they want to leave whenever they want do they also take the risk of unemployment or reduced pay if they aren’t performing?
Plenty of contracts have target based payments or fixed terms that you can’t walk out of without significant financial penalty. Lawyers and accountants for instance will often pay for education on the proviso that you stay with them for x amount of years etc

Bro what.

Look what happens when players turn up late to training etc.

Imagine what would happen if a bloke failed to show up for work on game day

 

[WahsaurusRex]

NRL: NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster expects star front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake to leave club on high​

While the early exit of Addin Fonua-Blake remains the elephant in the NZ Warriors clubrooms, coach Andrew Webster insists his star front-rower seems more intent than ever to take his team to the next level in 2024.

The Dally M Prop of the Year sent shock waves through the club's fanbase over the off-season, when he requested an early release from his contract, due to expire in 2026, to return to Sydney on compassionate grounds.

In the interests of compromise, Fonua-Blake has committed to at least one more season at Mt Smart, while the Warriors bargain for the best return on their investment, when he leaves.

Sydney clubs are already queuing for his services, with St George Dragons emerging as the favourites, but they must also provide a suitable replacement on the Warriors roster.

Fonua-Blake, 28, has been instrumental to the Warriors' dramatic improvement over the past 12 months, with Webster rating him the best of his position in the game. News of his departure must be tearing at the heart of a coach desperately trying to elevate his team to an NRL Grand Final - an perhaps beyond.

If it is, Webster's not showing it.

"Whilst he's not at training, I've had heaps of conversations with Addin and I see nothing but focus," he said. "If anything, I see him more focused on wanting to leave here on a good note.

"You've got to understand, you've got a player who's not leaving because he doesn't like it here - the football environment - he actually loves it.

"He's passionate about this club, but he physically, for personal reasons, needs to go home. As a result of that, I think he's more motivated than I've seen, but we'll know when he gets back to training.

"I think he's unbelievably focused."

Fonua-Blake and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad haven't made an appearance at pre-season training yet, given a few weeks' leeway, after their respective international duties with Tonga and New Zealand.

 

[Noitall]

NRL: NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster expects star front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake to leave club on high​

What would be the scenario if say the dragons offered him the salary they have at $1.125 mil but another Sydney team offered us a good player we wanted but only paid him the salary we currently do? Would all parties need to be appeased or does he have the ultimate say?

 

[LeagueJunkie]

Is AFB back at training yet or is he still jet setting around Sydney?

 

[Noitall]

Is AFB back at training yet or is he still jet setting around Sydney?

Think international players come back after Christmas?

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

Think international players come back after Christmas?

What he said, thats why CNK isn't at training atm

 

[Up the guttz]

What would be the scenario if say the dragons offered him the salary they have at $1.125 mil but another Sydney team offered us a good player we wanted but only paid him the salary we currently do? Would all parties need to be appeased or does he have the ultimate say?

Still up to warriors whether they release him or not so they could play hardball and say - you can either go there, or stay here. No option C as it doesn’t work for us.
That’s what I would be doing, I mean who cares if he’s salty after he’s released.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

 

[Noitall]

One NZ Warriors on Instagram: "Confirmed AFB will depart the club at the end of the 2024 season. But there’s plenty of 𝐦𝐚𝐡𝐢 to do before then 🤝🏽💙"

1,292 likes, 28 comments - nzwarriors on December 18, 2023: "Confirmed AFB will depart the club at the end of the 2024 season. But there’s plenty of 𝐦�..."

www.instagram.com

 

[tajhay]

Fonua-Blake to join the Sharks in 2025

Addin Fonua-Blake, the 2023 Daly M Front Rower of the Year has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Sharks and will join the Cronulla club in 2025.

www.sharks.com.au

 

[enterthewarrior]

If he is really returning to Sydney for personal reasons then its understandable but if he is leaving because he thought he wasnt getting paid enough then fuck him. He was already on good coin.He went up another level playing for us, not Manly. We dont need him. We have some good up and coming juniors ready to take his place.

 

[jonesy101]

Hopefully he wins a premiership with us in 2024, but it will be interesting to see if he can guide the Sharks to their maiden premiership with Hynes. Not sure whether 2016 should be recognised.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Yeah I'm a hater because he's our best prop and him setting up Nicho and running lines off him makes me sad like when we got spanked by the Broncos in prelim.