The Warriors have been left reeling by the news that pack leader Addin Fonua-Blake has asked for an immediate release from the club in order to move back to Australia.
The club, however, have managed to secure a grace period before their man leaves, with Fonua-Blake now agreeing to stay in New Zealand for another year in order to give the club time to find a replacement.
His contract is until 2026 and earns him $1m per year, and the Warriors were reticent to let their pack leader walk in 2024, instead allowing him to depart in 2025, news that will give prospective suitors in Sydney chance to sort their salary caps out before making their move.
“My only motivation for this move is for family reasons,” said the player. “But I really want all Warriors fans to know that I am fully committed to getting into the 2024 season.
“I can’t wait to get back to training with my teammates with the aim to go even further in the upcoming season.”
The Tongan international prop is unhappy in Auckland and wishes to return to Sydney to be closer to his parents, who are reported to be struggling with health issues.
The news has put some of the NRL’s biggest names on notice, with several clubs likely to take an active interest in signing one of the game’s best big men.
St George Illawarra, his junior club, would be an obvious choice given their desire for marquee names and salary cap situation.
With half of their roster off at the end of the year, new coach Shane Flanagan has plenty of flexibility to offer deals from 2025 onwards.
Fonua-Blake was also coached by returning assistant coach Dean Young when he came through the club’s junior pathways.
“We’ll be monitoring what happens there, that’s for sure,” the Dragons coach told AAP. “We want good players and he fits into that category.
“Without a doubt we’ll look at it because he’s got a history with our club.”
Manly, whom he left to join the Warriors, would also be likely to make a bid. They will likely be able to find space if Josh Aloiai, heavily linked with Leigh in the Super League, departs at the end of the year, or if they dispense with Matt Lodge, who is on a one-year contract.
The Bulldogs are in desperate need of a middle like Fonua-Blake, but would have to move multiple pieces around to make it work with their salary cap. They have been trying to get rid of Josh Addo-Carr, with Parramatta sniffing around, and this could certainly incentivise them to make that happen.
The Tigers, too, are crying out for a player like AFB, though they would likely be bottom of his list given their continued poor performances. Only if they broke the bank would they stand a chance.
Of the other Sydney clubs, the Bunnies and Roosters would not have the cap space unless there is a significant departure, the Panthers and Eels already have their starting props locked in long term and the Sharks would likely not prioritise signing front rowers.
For New Zealand, the decision comes at a terrible time. They have huge numbers off contract come the end of next year and Fonua-Blake was one of their longest-contracted players, with the intention that he fill the leadership vacuum that will inevitably arise when Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris retire.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Surely the Woolshed has been shut down by now!
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Robbo. I thought Mary was a dud but Griffin easily beat him as the worst coach ever. I expect an improvement from Flanagan, he won’t tolerate out of form players like Griffin did. Not being a horse racing fan, except for my once a year Melbourne cup bet, looks like Billy’s tip will do me, especially at those odds, which are a lot better than the Dragons odds of a premiership :laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well, your account definitely hasn’t been hacked, your comments are as daft as ever I’ve never said that someone like AFB, Lodge or Walker should be banned for life or never allowed to play in the NRL My point has always been that players need to be called out and punished appropriately for this behaviour and not have it swept under the carpet because of the colour of their jersey I never said Walker was guilty either. But I heard Walker’s partner’s frantic, screaming, terrified call to 000. I read the testimony of eye witnesses including paramedics and police that attended The absolute irony and nerve of you to question my morals is outrageous. You stuck your head in the sand in the Walker case, wilfully ignored everything and said “nothing to see here” even before the not guilty verdict… happy to excuse the vilest of behaviour just because he was playing for Manly. There’s times you’ve come across as borderline pro violence against women. No one will ever be able to say that about me bud. Yet you’re seriously trying to call me out for wanting the Bulldogs to sign a player NINE YEARS after his incident occurred? What a hypocrite you are… again
The Barry
Roar Guru
A lot of clubs have a top five on more money than those guys. When you look at the roster beneath them and the number of players released this year (and the coin they were on) you could only assume there’s a lot of money left to spend…
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Well its about security. Its all in the players favour. You play poorly or get badly injured, you are covered within your contract. You play well enough to exceed your current contract worth, your manager can get you out of it. I dont see the issue with the process really - its the players that put their bodies on the line not the clubs - their careers can be over in a heartbeat
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I think we are 2 or 3 players - or more - from being contenders. If Flanno can't polish it, are we allowed to then say that Mary and Hook were on a hiding to nothing? On another note, Billy Slater - a noted horseman, has offered a tip on Cleveland in the Cup - at about 25/1. Worth $2
Bill
Roar Rookie
Still rates pretty far down the list of "most clubs played for"
Bill
Roar Rookie
Not if you got to Gilligan's or Woolshed on your days off ;)
Redcap
Roar Guru
I'd say he's stuck with what he's got. At best, a Taunoa-Brown or Paseka/Sipley might fall off the back of an overloaded truck.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Money.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Why these players sign long term contracts is beyond me.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
You can’t run away from your own behaviour. Yet it’s something that he can work on.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t the leaving Manly thing about getting away from unsavoury things in his personal life. At least he is creative in the ‘compassionate grounds’ he sites every year or so.
andrew
Roar Rookie
With AFB likely staying at the Warriors it's back to square one for Flanagan. Trying to think which top shelf forwards are left for Flanagan to sign for 2024.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Looks like his personal reasons aren't that important after all
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I totally agree but that’s what the reason was at the time.
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
Hey AFB is free to continue his career, but you tell me an employer that fired someone for that and then rehired them later on? There are just simply transgressions that do deserve your cards being permanently marked by a club. This is one.
matth
Roar Guru
— COMMENT DELETED —
Cam
Roar Rookie
From a team performance and fan engagement perspective, the Warriors are so, so far in front having signed Webster as HC. Tohu Harris is only 31, but his body is definitely starting to break down and you are spot-on that he will be a big out when he goes. Shaun Johnson will only be 33yrs old next season, is coming off a career year and might possibly have another 3 seasons at his current elite level. They get Chanel Harris-Tavita and RTS back for 2024, which will be huge for the Warriors.
KenW
Roar Rookie
You're cutting up my reasoning a bit there. I was clear that the most important factor was that he has appeared to turn things around over the 8 years since the Dragons fired him. I completely support that the Dragons fired him in the first place. I just have no problem that they may choose to re-hire him years later if they feel that he has proved himself changed.