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Addin Fonua-Blake will join the Warriros starting next season.
The Warriors have been able to sign one of the best supporters in the NRL, with Addin Fonua-Blake agreeing to join the Warriors on a three-year deal starting next season.
Last week, the Sea Eagles gave the 24-year-old permission to speak to any club outside of Sydney about a trade.
The Warriors immediately went after the Kiwi and Tongan internationals and managed to secure their services until the end of the 2023 season.
Fonua Blake broke the news of his move on Instagram, saying that it was not an easy decision for him to leave the Sea Eagles, but that he is eager to live with the Warriors.
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“The hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career, but after six years with this family, my time has come to an end,” Fonua-Blake wrote.
“I would like to thank everyone from the coaching staff and all the players to all the loyal fans who stayed with me / me through every difficult moment we had over the last six years.
“Excited / Nervous about what awaits me next at the Warriors.
“Nothing but love for the Bird Gang Brothers. # 582 ❤️❤️ My Brotherhood will never break up with you guys like kautamas. Family comes first in every decision I make 💯 # thelatest # thefridge #cardioking king ️ ”
It’s hard to underestimate the importance of the Fonua-Blake signing to the Warriors.
It will give a dynamic advantage to their front group that has been absent for several years and, along with other signings Ben Murdoch-Masila and Kane Evans, transform the Warriors.
Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
Kane Evans has signed to join the Warriors next season.
One problem identified by the club’s management was that their forwards were too similar, hardworking, but stocky and small.
But these players will give the team more aggressiveness in the middle, which should help the club’s playmakers.
The Warriors’ starting lineup for next year is likely to be Fonua-Blake, Karl Lawton or Wayde Egan, Murdoch-Masila, Eliesa Katoa, Evans and Tohu Harris back in the lock.
Fonua-Blake is understood to be a good friend of Evans and helped encourage him to join the Warriors, along with the club’s captain, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Stuff understood over the weekend that the club was close to closing the Fonua-Blake deal and an announcement was expected sometime this week.
On Tuesday, the Warriors finalized their release from their contract with the Sea Eagles, which had two more years left to execute.
The club is expected to make an announcement later Tuesday.
Speaking on Triple M radio on Saturday, incoming Warriors coach Nathan Brown said Fonua-Blake would be a great option for the club.
“He is without a doubt an outstanding player. If you look at that position, he’s in the highest echelon of players in the world, “Brown said.
“He is certainly a player who is a perfect fit, not only for our club but for most clubs.
“When a player with Addin’s talent hits the market, there are always people looking to move players or do certain things, because they don’t hit the market every day.
“It would not only help our squad, it would help any squad. And he’s only 24, so his best years are yet to come. “
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