When the final whistle went on Sunday night last week, signaling the end of an unlikely yet inspirational run for the finals from the Warriors, it seemed that the next two weeks would be a box-ticking exercise for the team and then a long-awaited return to New Zealand.
The surprising news on Wednesday that Addin Fonua-Blake was seeking a release from the final two years of his contract to move to a club outside of Sydney meant that the Warriors automatically had a one in seven chance of winning the Fonua-Blake lottery.
The early news was followed by a solid link with the Warriors as the early favourites who had already lodged an offer of $850,000 over three years.
Assuming the interest on both parties is genuine and a deal is done shortly, it will be fascinating as to the motivation.
Apart from an apparent desire to leave Sydney, the signing of Fonua-Blake is fascinating as the Warriors have spent many well documented months in Australia due to COVID-19, and it appears there is a better than 50 per cent chance they will be based out of Australia next year.
To sign a world-class middle forward for 2021 with that uncertainty would have seemed unlikely if not impossible prior to this week.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The importance of this signing cannot be understated for the Warriors.
For many years there has been a misconception that the Warriors have a massive pack. The reality is the likes of Bunty Afoa, Lachlan Burr, Agnatius Paasi and Leeson Ah Mau have been acceptable, but haven’t had seasons that led to front-foot domination for the Warriors.
The Warriors have always struggled to sign world-class forwards, particularly middle forwards. The last time they did was probably Ruben Wiki and Steve Price, and then that led to some salary cap issues.
Already for 2021 the Warriors have Ben Murdoch-Masila and Kane Evans arriving as part of a squad overhaul. The signing of Fonua-Blake would make the Warriors’ forward pack perfectly balanced.
Having these middle forwards allows for far better balance. Tohu Harris can focus on being a ball-playing back-rower, and with Eliesa Katoa, Jack Murchie and Jazz Tevaga in the squad, the overall depth has gone from shallower than a paddling pool to deeper that Lake Taupo.
In the past the Warriors have had Ken Maumalo and David Fusitua taking two hit-ups per set, often with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck taking a third. Next season these players should be back, and with these new middle forwards looking for metres, the Warriors’ go-forward will be in the top echelon of the NRL.
The Warriors have already had a taste of what the team can look like when they have good middle forwards – the loan players of Jack Hetherington, Poasa Faamausili and Daniel Alvaro showed the Warriors what a difference good middle forwards can do to improve a team.
The 2021 campaign may be another season on the road for the Warriors, but if they can get the signing of Fonua-Blake over the line, while it may not be their year, it would be a disappointing season if they weren’t pushing for a top-six spot.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Your analysis of requirement for a strong middle third group of forwards is a spot on need for the Warriors. But I'm not sure you have achieved that yet with these nominated individuals. AFB could be an answer if he quickly grows up and commits to playing consistently for his team. Whilst Ben Murdoch-Masila and Kane Evans have always been fringe bench players at best. There will still be a fair amount of crossed fingers from Warriors fans about this lot. I would have thought the real benefit to the Warriors will not be realised until Phil Gould gets a decent pathways programme in place where home grown Kiwi talent is being incubated by , and for the Warriors, rather than seeing the likes of James Fisher-Harris leaving NZ for an NRL career with Penrith.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Top echelon forward pack?! To date their big signing is Kane Evans....! Also one thing that has never worked out at the Warriors - immature clowns. Some clubs seem to be able to manage them to some degree - the Warriors have never been one of those clubs. Finally - there is a bit of irony that the club and players that sacrificed so much this year for the good of the game are about to sign the player who wouldn’t even get a lousy flu shot...
Paul
Roar Guru
If I was thinking about signing AFB, I'd want to be sure I/he could manage what ever issues are forcing him to consider leaving Sydney. I'd also want to make sure I had good forward depth as he will spend time on the sidelines, most likely through suspension. I also think you might be a tad premature in calling the Warriors pack as top echelon. The current season hasn't ended, AFB is no certainty to go to New Zealand and Brown's given no indication about who might stay or go. I'll be interested in your thoughts around February when the Warriors squad should be fairly settled.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Warriors were considered title contenders in 2016 with some big signings but they rarely follow the script. I've been saying for years that I wouldn't swap AFB for any other prop and now he's on a bus out of town any way. Manly has plenty of forwards coming thru and next year is the time for them to step up to the plate. AFB's history as a Disgruntled Trundler could cause the Warriors a few problems but maybe he'll lead them to a title. Wouldn't be such a bad thing in many ways.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Paying big money for a prop is fraught with danger, and the busts far outweigh the successes. All Kane Evans will do is replace a player on the bench. If he was any good the Roosters would have kept him
Tony
Roar Guru
Hopefully for the Warriors you are right Sean, but I don't think that either Kane or Murdoch-Masila are going to add much to the equation. AFB, on the other hand, would be a good pick up provided that he's able to focus and play his best.
JB
Guest
Please god don’t sign AFB...
max power
Guest
no. they still will be average