Addin Fonua-Blake saga takes fresh turn amid Phil Gould admission at Bulldogs

Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake has reportedly met with the Wests Tigers as he edges closer to getting his wish of moving back to Sydney. According to 9News Sydney, Fonua-Blake met with the Tigers at Haberfield Rowers on Thursday.

The prop is understood to also have a meeting scheduled with Phil Gould this week to discuss a potential move to Belmore as well as another with the Dragons. Fonua-Blake had originally requested an immediate release from the Warriors to return to Sydney for family reasons but has since agreed to finish the 2024 NRL season with the club before moving on.

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One side that is reportedly extremely interested in the want-away forward is the Bulldogs. The Dogs have lost a large chunk of its forward pack with Tevita Pangai Junior retiring and Franklin Pele and Luke Thompson moving on to the Super League. Gould has voiced his interest in the star, despite telling SEN he won't come cheap.

"Yeah Addin's a quality player, I have a lot of time for Addin," Gould said. "I spent a little bit of time at the Warriors during COVID as a consultant and got to see Addin first-hand, he's a quality player.

"He's not cheap though and I'd imagine there'd be a lot of interest in Addin. He's got to return home to Australia for family reasons which he's working through with the Warriors ... there'll be a lot of people lining up for his signature that's for sure."

The Dragons are also set to be incredibly keen on securing the services of the Dally M prop of the year, tabling a $3 million offer, according to Fox Sports Australia. St George Illawarra are looking to bring more strength into their front row with new coach Shane Flanagan targeting some of the NRL's hottest forwards. Fonua-Blake's Tongan teammates Hame Sele, Moses Suli and Ben Murdoch-Masila, who will all pull on the Red V next year, are said to be trying to convince the Dally M prop of the year to make the switch.

Gould steps up pursuit of want-away star after failed medical

The Bulldogs looked set to sign Roosters premiership winner Sio Siua Taukeiaho from Catalans but that move fell through after the prop failed his medical. Gould said the forward had picked up a nasty injury and wouldn't be available for the short to medium term so was no longer a viable option.

"Unfortunately, late in the season over there in France, his team went to the final, he played with injury in the finals and the grand final and it only made it worse," Gould said. "By the time he got back here, he's got a serious foot injury that requires surgery. There was two types of surgery for that, one type of surgery could get him back in 10-12 weeks, if he had to have the bigger surgery it could take a hell of a lot longer than that and that's the one he now needs.

"He wouldn't pass any medical to get an offer from us to come back into the NRL. I imagine he'll be going back to Catalans to complete his contract. In the short-term he's going to have surgery and quite a lengthy rehab."

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