Official Addin Fonua-Blake

This is an interesting one, looking at the draw there is a good chance Warriors only win 2-3 games between now and June 30, they have a hell of a run coming up (similar to us).

They may just find themselves out of finals contention by the end of June.

What makes it interesting is, knowing AFB won't be there next year and having fish come in. They may want to move some money around other players to attempt another splash in the market. That's the only way I can see a situation eventuating where they release AFB early.

Remembering to, AFB requested a release for this year for family reasons and the Warriors wanted to keep him for this year to give them time to manage their roster and potentially another top 4 finish.

Top 4 isn't happening this year for the Warriors and they have managed to find a replacement. I think this could be a real chance of happening in a month or so if it means AFB is getting home earlier. AFB has done the right thing by the warriors this far, I think they would respect that and not stand in his way any longer knowing the aren't going to repeat last season.

It will help to that we will still hopefully be in top 4 contention.

RivShark said:

This is an interesting one, looking at the draw there is a good chance Warriors only win 2-3 games between now and June 30, they have a hell of a run coming up (similar to us).

They may just find themselves out of finals contention by the end of June.

What makes it interesting is, knowing AFB won't be there next year and having fish come in. They may want to move some money around other players to attempt another splash in the market. That's the only way I can see a situation eventuating where they release AFB early.

Remembering to, AFB requested a release for this year for family reasons and the Warriors wanted to keep him for this year to give them time to manage their roster and potentially another top 4 finish.

Top 4 isn't happening this year for the Warriors and they have managed to find a replacement. I think this could be a real chance of happening in a month or so if it means AFB is getting home earlier. AFB has done the right thing by the warriors this far, I think they would respect that and not stand in his way any longer knowing the aren't going to repeat last season.

It will help to that we will still hopefully be in top 4 contention.

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They won't release AFB if they are anywhere near the 8 I wouldn't think. Still around where they are now closer to the deadline and maybe something could be possible.

Without knowing the blokes personality or circumstances, he's just as likely to want to stay and try and save the season with his mates there as he is to try get out early.

I think everyone needs to drop this pipedream.

It would be coach suicide to let him go mid season - regardless of how good / bad they are going.

apezza said:

I think everyone needs to drop this pipedream.

It would be coach suicide to let him go mid season - regardless of how good / bad they are going.

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Yea even if they are out of finals contention there are still jobs on the line, fans and sponsors to please ect.

Only way to make this happen is to beat Penrith so fnen badly that JFH asks for an immediate release to go to Kiwi land

Even then doubt we have the cap space this year

Gards said:

Yea even if they are out of finals contention there are still jobs on the line, fans and sponsors to please ect.

Only way to make this happen is to beat Penrith so fnen badly that JFH asks for an immediate release to go to Kiwi land

Even then doubt we have the cap space this year

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I think people are assuming that we’ll have rest of Finucanes but don’t think that has been established. Think shinaz/Riccio said TBD

I reckon this guy will have a sneaky little smirk going on about now

(right call for 2025 onwards)

Western Sharkie said:

I reckon this guy will have a sneaky little smirk going on about now

(right call for 2025 onwards)

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Might struggle to get in.
*Joking*

Pishposh46 said:

Might struggle to get in.
*Joking*

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Now if our current forwards are good enough to keep this guy in ressies, well then, we are onto some winners

Pishposh46 said:

Might struggle to get in.
*Joking*

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Play for the Jets?

Seriously, do we really need this guy?

Great to be a fan at the moment!

If only we could have had some of this consistency with our middles over the last two years. Our pack tonight looked like it could match it with anyone. Afb makes it the best in the comp with ease.

Proud Shark said:

If only we could have had some of this consistency with our middles over the last two years. Our pack tonight looked like it could match it with anyone. Afb makes it the best in the comp with ease.

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I think a lot of it has to do with maturity and experience , a lot of our big guys were still young and under 100 games , they are just coming into their prime .

It's almost unfair that we are getting this bloke going into this team.

Shortfin Mako said:

Play for the Jets?

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Majority of the squad has come through at Newtown, it's only right he starts there.

djhabib said:

It's almost unfair that we are getting this bloke going into this team.

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So this is what it feels like to be the roosters.

jocktheshark said:

I think a lot of it has to do with maturity and experience , a lot of our big guys were still young and under 100 games , they are just coming into their prime .

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I think the rocket his signing caused helped too.

Big difference this year is all our props are playing for contracts and starting spots for next year. Its brutal.

With Talakai and Williams certainties on the bench, that leaves 4 spots for 7 props.

AFB, Toby, and BHU are all signed to longer contracts - you would assume all will be in the team.

So that only leaves one spot on the bench to be filled by either Haze, Kaufusi, Hunt, Tuks.

My guess is Hazelton (Kaufusi a very close second).

ben said:

Big difference this year is all our props are playing for contracts and starting spots for next year. Its brutal.

With Talakai and Williams certainties on the bench, that leaves 4 spots for 7 props.

AFB, Toby, and BHU are all signed to longer contracts - you would assume all will be in the team.

So that only leaves one spot on the bench to be filled by either Haze, Kaufusi, Hunt, Tuks.

My guess is Hazelton (Kaufusi a very close second).

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Forgot JC -

Is he really in this race?

Looked very angry with his team today