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The race for Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake is about to intensify with The Sunday Telegraph revelation of a release clause that has wiped out almost half the competition.
The Warriors will apply hard and fast rules around who Addin Fonua-Blake can sign with in the wake of his request to be released from the final year of his contract.
And the signing restrictions augur well for Dragons and Bulldogs fans.
Fonua-Blake dropped a bombshell on the NRL two weeks ago when he informed the Warriors he wished to break from his contract on the basis of compassionate grounds.
One of the most damaging props in the game who could demand close to $1 million a season, Fonua-Blake wants to return to Sydney for personal family reasons.
The 28-year-old and Warriors management have since come to an agreement that he will remain in New Zealand for the 2024 season with the very likelihood of being let go to play for a rival club for the 2025 season.
Addin Fonua-Blake wants to return to Sydney for personal family reasons. Picture: Getty Images
The Tongan international is currently contracted to the Warriors until the end of 2026.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that as part of the release terms, the Warriors have told Fonua-Blake that they will only consider releasing him to a Sydney club.
The strict parameters are similar to what the Warriors told Reece Walsh after he approached the club for a release halfway through the 2022 season.
Walsh wanted to move to Brisbane to be closer to family, prompting the Warriors to declare that the star fullback be permitted only to sign with the Broncos.
The Sydney-only move for Fonua-Blake rules out any possible recruitment pitch from seven of the 17 clubs based interstate or in regional centres including the Raiders, Knights, Storm, Broncos, Cowboys, Titans and Dolphins.
The list of Sydney club’s with close to a $1 million in salary cap space for 2025 and that are also willing to spend such a significant amount on a front-rower is far from lengthy.
Only the Dragons, Bulldogs and possibly the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Wests Tigers would be able to manoeuvre their salary cap and roster spots in their forward pack to accommodate Fonua-Blake.
The Warriors only permitted Reece Walsh to sign with the Broncos when he was looking to get out of the club and return home to Brisbane. Picture: NRL Photos
Parramatta and Penrith both boast heavily-contracted forward packs, while The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Roosters have also ruled out making a play for Fonua-Blake.
The Bulldogs are in desperate need of an enforcer up front and GM of football Phil Gould has a relationship with Fonua-Blake that dates back to his short tenure as consultant to the Warriors in 2021.
Undoubtedly, the Dragons will view themselves as major contenders for Fonua-Blake’s signature having already declared their genuine interest in securing the front-rower.
They also have the salary cap space to entertain Fonua-Blake’s near $1 million asking price.
Fonua-Blake was a former co-captain of the Dragons 2014 SG Ball side before being let go to join Manly in 2015. He was formerly coached by current Dragons assistant coach, Dean Young.
Another factor in Fonua-Blake’s release will be the potential of a club offering a swap deal with the Warriors.
The Warriors will be aiming to replace the forward leader with a like-for-like replacement.
The Warriors will apply hard and fast rules around who Addin Fonua-Blake can sign with in the wake of his request to be released from the final year of his contract.
And the signing restrictions augur well for Dragons and Bulldogs fans.
Fonua-Blake dropped a bombshell on the NRL two weeks ago when he informed the Warriors he wished to break from his contract on the basis of compassionate grounds.
One of the most damaging props in the game who could demand close to $1 million a season, Fonua-Blake wants to return to Sydney for personal family reasons.
The 28-year-old and Warriors management have since come to an agreement that he will remain in New Zealand for the 2024 season with the very likelihood of being let go to play for a rival club for the 2025 season.
Addin Fonua-Blake wants to return to Sydney for personal family reasons. Picture: Getty Images
The Tongan international is currently contracted to the Warriors until the end of 2026.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that as part of the release terms, the Warriors have told Fonua-Blake that they will only consider releasing him to a Sydney club.
The strict parameters are similar to what the Warriors told Reece Walsh after he approached the club for a release halfway through the 2022 season.
Walsh wanted to move to Brisbane to be closer to family, prompting the Warriors to declare that the star fullback be permitted only to sign with the Broncos.
The Sydney-only move for Fonua-Blake rules out any possible recruitment pitch from seven of the 17 clubs based interstate or in regional centres including the Raiders, Knights, Storm, Broncos, Cowboys, Titans and Dolphins.
The list of Sydney club’s with close to a $1 million in salary cap space for 2025 and that are also willing to spend such a significant amount on a front-rower is far from lengthy.
Only the Dragons, Bulldogs and possibly the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Wests Tigers would be able to manoeuvre their salary cap and roster spots in their forward pack to accommodate Fonua-Blake.
The Warriors only permitted Reece Walsh to sign with the Broncos when he was looking to get out of the club and return home to Brisbane. Picture: NRL Photos
Parramatta and Penrith both boast heavily-contracted forward packs, while The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the Roosters have also ruled out making a play for Fonua-Blake.
The Bulldogs are in desperate need of an enforcer up front and GM of football Phil Gould has a relationship with Fonua-Blake that dates back to his short tenure as consultant to the Warriors in 2021.
Undoubtedly, the Dragons will view themselves as major contenders for Fonua-Blake’s signature having already declared their genuine interest in securing the front-rower.
They also have the salary cap space to entertain Fonua-Blake’s near $1 million asking price.
Fonua-Blake was a former co-captain of the Dragons 2014 SG Ball side before being let go to join Manly in 2015. He was formerly coached by current Dragons assistant coach, Dean Young.
Another factor in Fonua-Blake’s release will be the potential of a club offering a swap deal with the Warriors.
The Warriors will be aiming to replace the forward leader with a like-for-like replacement.
