Shane Flanagan's new revelation amid Dragons' pursuit of Addin Fonua-Blake
The Warriors prop has emerged as one of the most sought-after NRL forwards on the market.
New St George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan says he's hoping to get a decision around Addin Fonua-Blake's signature before Christmas. The Warriors prop has emerged as the most sought-after forward on the NRL open market after signalling his desire to return to Sydney after the 2024 season.
The Dragons appear to be in the box seat to sign the prop, who was named in the 2023 Dally M Team of the Year. The Sydney Morning Herald reported last week that Flanagan's side had tabled an offer to Fonua-Blake worth $4.5 million over four years.
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St George Illawarra's hopes of signing the middle forward were boosted after the Wests Tigers pulled out of the race for his signature. The Tigers reportedly just agreed a massive $6 million deal for Penrith's Jarome Luai, leaving them with little room in the salary cap to offer Fonua-Blake the $1 million-plus per season deal that it's understood he's seeking.
Another Sydney club that was said to be interested in the prop was the Canterbury Bulldogs but Nine's Danny Weidler reported last week that they were unlikely to make an offer as they continue their rebuild under coach Cameron Ciraldo. It appears to leave the Cronulla Sharks as the only other realistic option for Fonua-Blake, apart from the Dragons.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Dragons coach Flanagan revealed the club had been involved in "a fair bit of dialogue" with Fonua-Blake's camp over recent days and said the joint venture club "was hoping for a decision before Christmas" on the big prop's future.
The veteran mentor - who coached the Sharks to an NRL premiership in 2016 and was an assistant under Manly's Anthony Seibold in 2023 - said Fonua-Blake's signing would be massive for the Dragons. Flanagan hopes that clinching the signature of the New Zealand international will convince wantaway halfback Ben Hunt to stay with the Red V.
Addin Fonua-Blake deal could change Ben Hunt's mind
“He would be enormous. It could be the start of the turnaround,” Flanagan told the Daily Telegraph about the possibility of landing Fonua-Blake. “We need some elite representative-type players and in my opinion he is one of the best front rowers in the game."
Flanagan knows attracting big-name players to the club is crucial to convincing Hunt that the Dragons is the right place for him. The Maroons and Kangaroos star announced earlier this year that he wanted to return and play in Queensland to be closer to his family, with Flanagan and the Dragons ultimately blocking any such move.
The new Dragons coach said Hunt's decision was born out of frustration at not being part of a winning side, but is confident Fonua-Blake's signing would make a huge difference. “(If Fonua-Blake signs) I am sure Ben won’t want to go anywhere," Flanagan added. "It is just (about knowing) where we are heading. His frustration has been about the club not winning. He wants to win.”
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