Addin Fonua-Blake in bombshell Warriors news ahead of 2024 season
The Dally M prop of the year has reportedly made the shock decision.
Warriors enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake has reportedly made the bombshell request to be released from his contract as he seeks a return to Sydney. Fonua-Blake was one of the standout forwards in the 2023 NRL season as the Warriors made a remarkable finals run.
Coach Andrew Webster would have been keen to build on the previous season's success in 2024. But in what appears a major blow to the team, Fonua-Blake has requested a release from his contract on compassionate grounds to be closer to his parents who live in Sydney, according to The Daily Telegraph.
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Fonua-Blake joined the Warriors in 2021 from Manly and has played 62 times for the New Zealand outfit. He was reportedly the highest-paid prop in the game in 2023 earning more than $1 million a season.
Fonua-Blake represented New Zealand in one international back in 2017 and has since played for Tonga. However, it appears Fonua-Blake will be at the centre of a huge transfer saga with plenty of top teams surely keen to sign the 27-year-old.
Most Sydney outfits will throw money at a representative prop with teams such as the Dragons, Wests Tigers, Eels, Bulldogs and Manly all seeking a boost in the front-row department.
Fonua-Blake was the Dally M prop of the year and helped propel the Warriors into a finals birth under the guidance of coach Webster and halfback Shaun Johnson. NRL fans reacted swiftly to the news with Warriors supporters stunned at the reports.
MASSIVE blow for @NZWarriors - let the bidding begin! https://t.co/ZlqoHs0xVx
— The Mole (@9_Moley) November 2, 2023
I honestly don't know how we replace AFB. What a disaster. Such an important player for us.
— Anton Posa (@antonposa) November 2, 2023
Warriors treated like a transit lounge from 2020 onwards and now after their best season in recent memory they cop this 🫠🫠🫠🫠 https://t.co/I2tH56bGI6
— Nat Hanrahan (@nat_sinclair93) November 2, 2023
In all seriousness if AFB is bailing on a 3-year-deal worth $1mil a year as a prop in a very hot side.....then I definitely believe the compassionate reasons to be 100% true.
— Matt Buxton (@mattbuxton22) November 2, 2023
He is the cornerstone for the Warriors. He was well paid but he delivered.
— Kiwiway (@Kiwiway1) November 2, 2023
Bugger, he was immense for us this year.
— Wired-one (@Wired__One) November 2, 2023
No way are you serious bro.
— CelticMindset (@CelticMindset) November 2, 2023
Addin Fonua-Blake set to join Jarome Luai on the market
Fonua-Blake could be set to join Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai on the open market. The star five-eighth has a $1.7 million two-year deal on the table from Penrith which he has so far not signed, and now the November 1 deadline has rolled around he is one of 160 players free to explore contract options elsewhere.
The 26-year-old is expected to field offers of close to $1.1 million a season from rival clubs. Cleary worries his crafty playmaker may move on to become a key figure for another team, however, questions whether he is ready for that responsibility.
Yet Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has called for Luai to stay at the foot of the mountain as it is where he "belongs". "I think that's that's the biggest thing at play here," Cleary said. "If any club wants to (offer) the money, we're talking, probably the money that he may consider leaving (for), it would have to be for that kind of role.
"Is he ready for that? That's a question mark. Could he do it? I'm sure he can do it. Has he done it? No, he hasn't. He's done a little bit with Samoa of course at last year's World Cup.
"But generally speaking, in this team he's had his role to play. So it would be slightly different. So I guess that's a risk that everyone would have to take."
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