Official Addin Fonua-Blake

XGinga

XGinga

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Just looking through his stats and noticed he had scored his most trys against any team against us with 5.
Lets hope that just means he loves scoring at shark park and will score one every game now. He only scored 1 of those 5 at shark park
 
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XGinga said:
Just looking through his stats and noticed he had scored his most trys against any team against us with 5.
Lets hope that just means he loves scoring at shark park and will score one every game now. He only scored 1 of those 5 at shark park
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We'll just call it 'he scores a lot in games involving Sharks'
 
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NRL news: Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake signs four-year deal with Cronulla Sharks​

St George Illawarra has been rocked after one the world’s premier props shocked the NRL by signing a monster four-year deal with rival Cronulla Sharks. See the contract details.
David Riccio David Riccio

@DaveRic1

3 min read
December 19, 2023 - 2:37PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://archive.is/EkjWb#share-tools
Addin Fonua-Blake has signed with Cronulla Sharks. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Addin Fonua-Blake has signed with Cronulla Sharks. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Christmas has come early in the Sutherland Shire with Addin Fonua-Blake signing with the Sharks for the 2025 NRL season.
One of the world’s best front-rowers, Fonua-Blake has opted to join Cronulla ahead of rival suitor St George-Illawarra on a four-year deal worth between $950,000 and $1 million a season.
The Wests Tigers and Canterbury also weighed-in with interest in signing the enforcer, while the Dragons reportedly extended Fonua-Blake a $4.4 million deal.
However, after a fortnight of stealth-like meetings and secret negotiations with the Cronulla executive team, Fonua-Blake has agreed to join Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks beginning in 2025.
Crucially, Cronulla have also signed Fonua-Blake without having to immediately release or relinquish a current player to the Warriors.
The recent release of playmaker Matt Moylan and utility Connor Tracey from their 2024 contracts provided the Sharks with salary cap space to make their move.
Fonua-Blake broke the news to his Warriors teammates on Tuesday afternoon.
A major factor in Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sharks was the 2023 Dally M Prop of The Year’s belief that Cronulla can challenge for a premiership within the next four years.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon pulled off the extraordinary heist. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon pulled off the extraordinary heist. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
It’s ultimately what worked against the Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Dragons, all of which showed genuine interest in the Tongan International, but equally are in a challenging process of rebuilding their rosters in order to once again contend for finals football.
Fonua-Blake, 28, is at the stage of his career where he wants to win a premiership in the next few years.
Other significant lures behind Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sutherland Shire club was the chance to lead an already established forward pack, to be part of Fitzgibbon’s no-nonsense culture and the chance to play with cousin Siosifa Talakai.
The Sharks hierarchy of chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, GM of football Darren Mooney and Fitzgibbon secured the deal after meeting with Fonua-Blake and his agent Tyran Smith from Sportsplayer Management over the past two weeks.
Few within the game were ever aware of how serious the Sharks interest was for the 159-gamer.It’s ultimately what worked against the Bulldogs, Tigers and Dragons, all of whom showed genuine interest in the Tongan International, but equally are in a challenging process of rebuilding their rosters in order to once again contend for finals football.
Fonua-Blake, 28, is at the stage of his career where he wants to win a premiership in the next few years.
Other significant lures behind Fonua-Blake’s decision to join the Sutherland Shire club was the chance to lead an already established forward pack, to be part of Fitzgibbon’s no-nonsense culture and the chance to play with his cousin, Siosifa Talakai.
The Sharks hierarchy of chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, GM of football Darren Mooney and Fitzgibbon secured the deal after meeting with Fonua-Blake and his agent Tyran Smith from Sportsplayer Management over the past two weeks.
Few within the game were ever aware of how serious the Sharks interest was for the 159-gamer.
Canterbury boss Phil Gould met with Fonua-Blake, while the Wests Tigers reportedly tabled a deal worth in excess of $1 million per season.
But behind the scenes the Sharks made their intentions clear to Fonua-Blake that he had the game to elevate their premiership claims.
In informing the Warriors of his decision on Monday, Fonua-Blake reaffirmed his commitment to remain at the club in 2024 and to try and win the club’s first premiership before heading to the Sharks in 2025.
Addin Fonua-Blake meeting with Phil Gould.

Addin Fonua-Blake meeting with Phil Gould.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Warriors coach Andrew Webster. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The Dragons offer reportedly sat around $4.4 million over four years.
While seemingly a recruitment blow for Saints, head coach Shane Flanagan will waste no time switching the club’s focus towards other major targets including boom Cowboys forwards Heilum Luki and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
The experienced mentor has repeatedly called for patience from Dragons fans, knowing that the rebuild will take time and that importantly, he won’t be pressured into panic buying.
Fonua-Blake - who averaged a devastating 154 run metres and produced 70 tackle busts in 2023 - is considered one of the game’s leading front-rowers alongside Test prop Payne Haas and Penrith enforcer James Fisher-Harris.
The 28-year-old, who plays on average 60 minutes per game, had become the most damaging front-rower on the open market after his shock decision last month to request a release from the Warriors to return home to Sydney at the end of 2024 due to personal reasons.
The Warriors were willing to grant Fonua-Blake the release on the provision that he joined a Sydney club.
Cronulla ultimately won the race for his signature.
Due to the nature of the release, it’s also understood the Warriors have chosen to waive the 10-day cooling-off period that would normally allow them to submit a counter offer.
Several experts and commentators have already stated Fonua-Blake’s acquisition and potential impact on the Sharks is of a standard that hasn’t been sighted at Cronulla since club legend Andrew Fifita was at his peak in 2016.
Cronulla will be Fonua-Blake’s third NRL club having previously played five seasons for Manly before joining his current club the Warriors.
 
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Great news but I just hope that by the time he comes to us that he hasn't already played his best football and also comes to us injury free.
 
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Pishposh46 said:
Great news but I just hope that by the time he comes to us that he hasn't already played his best football and also comes to us injury free.
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Of course we all want that but I don't think it has to be a big concern. Even if he does fall off a bit it will dampen enthusiasm but it's what he does once he is here that matters.

We signed Cam McInnes a year out and he immediately did his ACL knock on wood for AFB
Gone on the play well for us
 
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HaroldBishop said:
All of a sudden you have guys like Toby and BHU being second/third best props which exactly what they should be.

This is going to have a massive domino effect on the entire team I reckon.
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Riccio made such a good point on sharkcast. Literally, every player in our side will look better off the back of an AFB run.
 
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