Transfer shock as Sharks pip Dragons for Warriors enforcer
The Dragons were believed to be frontrunners, but the Sharks pounced and have secured the services of a Warriors enforcer.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Sharks have secured the prized signature of enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake on a four-year deal from 2025 after his release from the Warriors.
The Bulldogs and Tigers fell out of the race, while the Dragons were believed to be the frontrunners, but the Sharks came from the clouds to get one over their arch rivals after being late to the party and lock him up on a four-year deal.
Stumped for gift ideas? This festive season, give the gift that keeps on giving. Gift a Kayo subscription from just $25 a month!
“The Sharks have added a major strike weapon to their forward pack from the 2025 season onwards in securing the services of highly rated international front rower Addin Fonua-Blake on a long-term contract,” the club said in a statement.
The 28-year-old Fonua-Blake, who was born in Sydney, played his junior football for the Mascot club and due to his family heritage has represented New Zealand and Tonga, has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Sharks for the 2025-2028 seasons.
Fonua-Blake will play the 2024 season with the Warriors, before linking with the Sharks after requesting and being granted a release from the final years of his contact with the New Zealand club.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was understandably excited to have bolstered the class and depth of his forward pack from 2025 onwards with the addition of Fonua-Blake.
“Addin is a world class front rower and we are delighted to be adding him to our roster from 2025,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Throughout the negotiation process we have been impressed by his attitude, his genuine desire to help make the Sharks successful and to complement and work alongside both those in our leadership group and the young forwards we have coming through our system.
“As Dally M Front Rower of the Year and on the back of a couple of outstanding seasons, everyone has seen what he is capable of and we look forward to Addin playing a major role for us here at the Sharks,” Fitzgibbon added.
A member of the NYC Team of the Year in 2014 while at the Dragons, Fonua-Blake would make his NRL debut for Manly in a match against the Parramatta Eels in Round 7 of the 2016 NRL season.
He has since gone on to play 159 NRL games, 97 for the Sea Eagles and 62 for the Warriors, in addition to 11 international matches for Tonga, including the 2021 World Cup, and one game for New Zealand.
Fonua-Blake played 26 games in the 2023 NRL season, including all three finals matches for a Warriors team which finished fourth on the table before reaching the preliminary final stage of the competition.
Following his impressive 2023 season, Fonua-Blake was named alongside Payne Haas as a front rower in the Dally M Team of the Year.
Originally published as Transfer shock as Sharks pip Dragons for Warriors enforcer
NRL Rich 100: Walsh among nine snubbed Maroons stars
Reece Walsh is among a posse of Queensland Origin stars that didn’t make the 2024 Rich 100 list, in proof that big bucks doesn’t guarantee big-name performances. See the analysis of notable omissions and underperforming inclusions.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.