NRL market watch: Wests Tigers officially withdraw offer for Addin Fonua-Blake

The Wests Tigers could be blown out of the water for their two prized targets, revealing they have already pulled one offer. The latest on the high-profile recruitment drive inside.

Jarome Luai and Addin Fonua-Blake.

The 50km trip down the M4 could be about to become a whole lot busier.

The intense three-way battle for Penrith and NSW star Jarome Luai is becoming clearer, with Canterbury emerging as favourites to secure the off-contract Panther.

And St George Illawarra is clear favourites to sign Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake for 2025. The Bulldogs dropped out of the race for Fonua-Blake on Tuesday and Wests Tigers did the same on Wednesday.

“I’ll give you an exclusive, we’ve actually withdrawn our offer for Addin Fonua-Blake,” new Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson told SEN.

The Bulldogs remain intent on securing Luai and appear prepared to meet his wishes for a five-year deal worth more than $5m. Wests Tigers remain confident they will land Luai, despite the demise of the club’s senior leadership.

In-demand Panther Jarome Luai.

Luai is under contract at Penrith until the end of next season and has an offer on the table to remain at the foot of the mountains, although the Panthers are unable to match rival bids for their champion five-eighth.

“Jarome would be, like with any club, a terrific cquisition,” major sponsor Arthur Laundy said. “The guy very obviously has ability. If he is leaning towards us then I’d be thrilled.

“But I’m not aware that is the case at this stage. That’s a ‘Gus’ (Phil) Gould thing.

“I know there have been discussions. He is a good footballer and I’d love to have him on board. He is an exciting player and is 100 per cent heart. He does a wonderful job for Penrith. We’re lucky that we’ve had a couple of the Penrith players come over.”

Departed Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe had been involved in the Luai negotiations, with the club’s offer up to $1.2m a year.

Addin Fonua-Blake will leave the Warriors after next year. Picture: NRL Photos

Luai would feel comfortable at Belmore alongside former Penrith players Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Jaeman Salmon and newcomer Stephen Crichton.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo had no doubt Luai could be a dominant half.

“Jarome can do anything he wants, really,” Ciraldo told the Big Sports Breakfast.

“He is a quality player who loves footy and he loves his teammates.

“That’s the challenge of someone like that if he is looking for that challenge.

“His winning ratio in every grade he has played is unbelievable, so yeah Jarome can do anything he wants if he puts his mind to it.”

Originally published as NRL market watch: Wests Tigers officially withdraw offer for Addin Fonua-Blake