Addin Fonua-Blake drama takes fresh twist after $4.5 million Dragons development
The Warriors forward has signalled his intention to leave the club.
The Dragons have reportedly offered Addin Fonua-Blake a whopping $4.5 million contract on the same day the Bulldogs appeared to leave the race. The Bulldogs appeared interested a few weeks ago in the Warriors forward's signature when Phil Gould met with Fonua-Blake after the international star wanted to leave the Warriors.
Fonua-Blake is set to leave the Warriors at the end of 2024 after asking the club for a release from his contract two years early. The Tigers appeared frontrunners to secure him with room in the salary cap and the ability to push for the $1.2 million reported asking price.
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But on Tuesday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Dragons had offered Fonua-Blake $4.5 million across a four year contract. This followed Channel Nine's Danny Weidler has claimed the Bulldogs may have exited the race to sign the forward. He reported the Bulldogs are unlikely to make an offer as they look to continue their rebuild under coach Cameron Ciraldo.
This leaves the Tigers and Dragons as frontrunners to sign Fonua-Blake. However, the Sharks are lurking having freed up space in the salary cap with a number of names leaving the club.
If Fonua-Blake were to become a Tigers or Dragons player, The Daily Telegraph reported the Warriors are interested in a trade for his signature. The publication claimed the club would be interested in a trade for Isaiah Papali’i or Stefano Utoikamanu if the Tigers were to be keen.
Although Utoikamanu is expecting his second child with his partner and may be reluctant to move out of Sydney with a young family. Papali’i played 63 games for the Warriors, before making the switch to the Eels in 2021. He since joined the Tigers in 2023 having played 23 games.
BREAKING: Hearing that the Bulldogs won’t make an offer for Addin Fonua-Blake @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) December 11, 2023
The chase for Addin Fonua-Blake has lost a team.
Danny Weidler reports that the Bulldogs won’t be making an offer for the international front rower.
We wonder how many more utilities they can sign with the money left from the Chase for AFB.— The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) December 12, 2023
Another club vying for Fonua-Blake’s signature is the Dragons who are looking for a forward to add to their squad. New coach Shane Flanagan appears interested in the Tongan international’s class, but it could come at a huge price. The Warriors could seek the signature of Haydn Su’A if Fonua-Blake links forces with Flanagan.
While the three previous clubs are the favourites to sign Fonua-Blake, the Sharks entered the race when freeing up salary cap space having offloaded Connor Tracey and Matt Moylan in the off-season. Regardless, Fonua-Blake is seeking $1.2 million a season for his signature.
Phil Gould praises Addin Fonua-Blake
Gould voiced his interest in the forward ahead of their meeting, despite telling SEN he won't come cheap. However, Channel Nine appear to believe the Bulldogs won't meet his price tag. "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."
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