Manly firebrand Addin Fonua-Blake could face a ban for referee abuse after the Sea Eagles’ controversial 14-12 loss to Newcastle.
Fonua-Blake was sent off after the siren following a dramatic final minute at Lottoland, as Newcastle claimed just their fourth ever win at Brookvale.
With the Knights leading by two points on the siren, Manly spread the ball right from within their own half as Tevita Funa broke down field.
The winger grubbered for himself from 20 metres out, but appeared to be taken to the ground by Tex Hoy and Bradman Best after kicking.
Referee Grant Atkins referred the play upstairs, bunker official Jared Maxwell ruled no penalty and full-time was blown – drawing anger from a number of Manly players.
Jake Trbojevic and Fonua-Blake both crowded the referee before the latter was sent off for calling Atkins a “f—–g retard” while Cherry-Evans appeared to challenge the call.
Fonua-Blake was sent from the field and later apologised to Atkins with television audio clearly picking up the remark. He could still face a ban.
“Referees have a very tough job and we all need to respect their decisions even when we may not agree with them,” Fonua-Blake said in a club statement.
“I should not have let my emotions get the better of me and I am very sorry for the comments I made.
“I’d also like to offer my sincere apology to anyone offended by the regrettable language that I used.
“I let myself and my club down. That is not who I am or want this club stands for.”
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
A grade-two contrary conduct charge would attract a one-week ban if he takes an early guilty plea, while a grade-three charge would result in two matches.
However, it could be referred straight to the judiciary panel for a larger ban.
“Obviously he sent Addin off so we need to look at that,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.
“I think from Addin’s point of view it was emotion and frustration. You’ve got to take that. We have to wait and see what the charges and fall out of that is.”
Hasler said he had not spoken to Fonua-Blake in detail about the incident before his press conference.
But he also insisted that Funa had been interfered with in the controversial play.
“He was certainly interfered with, otherwise they wouldn’t have gone to the video referee,” Hasler said.
“I have to check with Graham Annesley in regards to what the rule is in regards to the penalty and a shot at goal.
“I’m sure it’s fine and in the rules.”
The late drama overshadowed a gutsy win by the Knights that moved them into the top four.
Kalyn Ponga was one of three players to finish the match off the field for the Knights, taken for a HIA after falling awkwardly in a contest for the ball.
In a second half that contrasted with the first, Manly had 61 per cent of possession and had 22 tackles in the Knights’ red zone.
But they could muster just one try, desperately missing back line stars Dylan Walker and Tom Trbojevic as they collected a second consecutive loss without them.
Manly’s only second-half try came when Cherry-Evans helped Cade Cust burst through from close to the line from a Curtis Sironen offload in the 67th minute.
With Sione Mata’utia concussed and Edrick Lee suffering a broken arm that landed him in hospital, the Knights played the majority of the match with 15 men.
Andrew McCullough made 48 tackles while David Klemmer ran 188 metres and fellow prop Daniel Saifiti managed 164.
Andrew01
Guest
Agree. And if reports are correct used a second offensive slur. Emotion isn't an excuse but that is what is used as an excuse on the filed. But he had a minute or two to collect his thoughts in the tunnel and still a) waited for Atkins and b) slurred him and people with disabilities again. Go way AFB.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
V'Landy's words were strong but let's see if the commission's actions match them. This bloke has already caused problems this season, he needs a month suspension at least.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Exactly right. He hasn't actually apologized. The club issued a statement. I doubt Fonua-Blake would ever have used the word "regrettable".
The Barry
Roar Guru
Every time AFB opens his mouth he covers himself in glory There’s enough apologies from this joker to render them meaningless If a club issued statement can be considered an apology
Nick
Roar Guru
I think the fact he continued it in the tunnel AFTER he had been sent off means he deserved another couple of weeks. There's now two separate charges in my mind. 1. Dissent on the field that earned the send off. 2. Dissent off the field.
steveng
Roar Rookie
As a father of an autistic kid I find this misinformed and dumb Fonua-Blake who btw doesn’t believe in vaccines (which is a big worry of what he will and can carry) and a complete and utter fool. This bloke not only went on with abusive language on the field but continued it in the tunnel. Yes, Hasler got him to apologise (as he should) but this is just unacceptable and WRONG in this day and age!
Nick
Roar Guru
What about his women bashing back in the day? This time he is 100% guilty. What say you on that, considering your extraordinarily spirited defence of Walker? Does AFB earn any opprobrium from you?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
He should get a month. Apparently he carried on with it in the tunnel and dressing room. I’m really over players being complete idiots- and then making some pathetic apology after the fact.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
It happens far too often these so called ref howlers. Most manly fans just believe its deliberate now.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I have no tolerance of players abusing officials- regardless as to whether the official is a dope. He is a big part of the team I support, but the door should be closed on him for good. Same for any other player.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
St George were similarly impressed, they sent him on his way immediately after the court found him guilty of assault. Journalist Paul Kent gave him both barrels, as he deserved, earlier in 2020 when he lurched about indignant that, as he was able and ready to play, Manly was obliged to honour his contract payments regardless of the season being suspended due to the corona virus. There are enough good young players about with a clear, mature view of their place in society for clubs to give palookas like this a big miss. Des Hasler set a demanding standard of himself as a player, I would like to see him assert that now.
Nick
Roar Guru
I forgot about the wife beating stuff. What a classy "man".
Andrew
Guest
Your comparing an officiating error to the degridation of innocent people by using the R word?! Are you that out of touch?
Andrew
Guest
We absolutely shouldn't expect anything else. Infact when he gets charged with contrary conduct, his defence should be - "this isn't contrary to my normal conduct. You guys know I am a total jerk, and you still let me play, so this is on you". This is the bloke who pushed and kicked his partner (and mother of his kids) and then said "I got caught up thinking I was better than everyone else when I hadn't played first grade yet"... That was before he cracked first grade, so how big is his head now? He thinks he is above others. He thinks the rules don't apply to him. He thinks people with disabilities are beneath him and he clearly thinks officials are as well, otherwise he wouldn't use the "R" word.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, but you don't call the ref a retard... You are deflecting. Bad calls happen. Men get over them. Thugs call the refs are retard.
Nick
Roar Guru
Do we really expect anything more from AFB? This year he: 1. Demanded no pay cut when the shutdown occurred because "he signed a contract and it should be honoured". 2. Refused a flu shot on nonsensical grounds and revealed himself as an anti-vaxxer. 3. Called the ref a retard. Quite clearly, this is someone who should be paid a bonus if he can go 5 minutes without talking.
Paul
Roar Guru
"“I let myself and my club down. That is not who I am" I'm tired of hearing/reading these sorts of statements, when ever a player does something that's way out of line. His captain could heard telling him and others repeatedly to shut up but he ignored him. He certainly let his team mates down but about he thought it was okay to give an official a foul mouthed spray, so I'd suggest that's exactly who he is.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
AFB's actions were wrong no doubt about it. Des has calmed down a bit and is using a bit of sarcasm instead of anger. He knows he doesn't have to check with Annesley regarding the rules.
kk
Roar Pro
Addin's season may now be shortened by up to a month which puts extreme pressure on the Manly game plan. Down three of their best will be Des' biggest challenge. Jared Maxwell got it wrong, not Grant Atkins. The head on replay proved that.
PaulC
Guest
Aiden Fonu-Blake will be charged for contrary conduct towards the Referee & also the Referee, the Linesman (on the side where the interference took place) & the Video Referee should be charged with incompetence for not picking up the blatant interference. Referees too should be held responsible their mistakes as this one probably cost Manly as shot at a win in a "Golden point". I am not a Manly supporter but I recognised a monumental refereeing mistake when I see it.