AFB

[Special K]

Wow. Am I thinking of dykes? Or losing it completely.

He came back and got hurt 2 games back from memory

 

[Frenzy.]

He came back and got hurt 2 games back from memory

Nuh, he came back Round 4 of NSW Cup. Played 6 games but a knee problem was identified. Not a new injury as I understand. A sequelae to his ACL. I'd guess he had a cartilage injury because he was running on bone on bone and needed a cartilage cell transplant which is a reach. Have heard nothing of his progress though.

 

[jason taylor]

Nuh, he came back Round 4 of NSW Cup. Played 6 games but a knee problem was identified. Not a new injury as I understand. A sequelae to his ACL. I'd guess he had a cartilage injury because he was running on bone on bone and needed a cartilage cell transplant which is a reach. Have heard nothing of his progress though.

Dykes is giving me Kyle Stanley vibes in terms of injuries and a run of poor luck.

 

[bad boy bubby]

A sight to behold.

 

[Special K]

A sight to behold.
View attachment 97312

straight to the spank bank.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Cronulla recruit Addin Fonua-Blake opens up on why he joined the club, and where he hopes to take it​

In his first interview since arriving at the Sharks, Addin Fonua-Blake tells David Riccio why he chose to move to Cronulla, and how one legend of the club helped to seal the deal.
David Riccio

Addin Fonua-Blake has heard the noise.
The destructive prop-forward has heard all about how, being one of the biggest signings ahead of the 2025 NRL season, that he has the power to single-handedly elevate Cronulla from preliminary finalists to premiers.
Like the damage he does to the opposition and extraordinary output that has led the 29-year-old to be lauded by many as the best front-rower in the game, Fonua-Blake says he’s ready for the hype.
“I don’t feel any extra pressure. I just go out there and play and do what I do,” Fonua-Blake said.
“I don’t worry about expectations. However, it’s good that those expectations are on me because I’m not going to shy away from the challenge.
“I want to help take the Sharks to the next step and I’m excited to see how far we can go.”
In his first interview since arriving at the Sharks after spending the past four years at the Warriors, Fonua-Blake has outlined the core reasons as to why he chose to move to Cronulla.
The Bulldogs, Tigers and Dragons all showed interest in the 29-year-old before he ultimately signed with the Sharks following a series of stealth-like negotiations, just under 12 months ago.

"There’s a few things,” Fonua-Blake said.
“One of them being how everyone that I asked about the Sharks all spoke about Fitzy (Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon).
“They all spoke about how he’s a world-class coach, but he’s also a man’s man who tells it like it is, which is exactly what I think you need as a player.
“Then also, the Sharks being entrenched in the top eight year after year is a big factor.
“It’s not like I’m going to a club going through a rebuild.”
Fonua-Blake finished the 2024 season with the highest average run metres of any forward in the NRL with 153 metres per match.
The Tongan captain is viewed by many as the closest Cronulla have come to filling the long-lasting void of premiership-winning prop Andrew Fifita, in 2022.
Ironically, Fifita played his part in luring Fonua-Blake to the black, white and blue.
“Big ‘Bop’ (Andrew Fifita) was talking to me on the phone during my decision and he wrapped the club as well,” Fonua-Blake said.
“And I also already know a few boys here.
“I spoke to the likes of Sifa (Talakai), Sione (Katoa) and I played previously with Nicho (Hynes) at Manly.

"After I spoke to a few people, including coaches from different teams about how Fitzy and the coaching staff operate, it was a no-brainer and I haven’t looked back since.”
After falling agonisingly short of leading Tonga to victory over Australia with a 20-14 loss in the Pacific Championships final last month, Fonua-Blake will commence pre-season training with the Sharks on Monday.
He pulled on the Sharks new home jersey for a photo shoot and walked away with a spring in his step.
“It’s my first couple of days here and I’m loving it,” Fonua-Blake said.
“I’m really excited.
“It’s the start of a new journey. I’m a little bit out of my comfort zone just because I feel like a new kid in class.
“But what excites me is this great team.
“We have a great roster and are coached by a great coach, so I’m just so eager to get in and see where I can add value.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-recruit-addin-fonuablake-opens-up-on-why-he-joined-the-club-and-where-he-hopes-to-take-it/news-story/e674723c940875446af04330dc2fa414

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

Still reckon this guy is the most important signing the club has ever made if he stays sound. We haven't had a true forward leader in the club since Gal/Lewis and Fifi and while Gal was a workhorse he had nothing like the skillset of this bloke. Never looked forward to a season more nor looked forward to the impact one player can have on the overall playing group.

 

[bad boy bubby]

the most important signing the club has ever made

I wouldn't say "ever" as there are a few contenders for that, but I would say the most important so far in the Fitz-era

 

[Eion]

Never looked forward to a season more nor looked forward to the impact one player can have on the overall playing group.

That’s an interesting one, who have you looked forward to seeing the most in Sharks kit post signing? I am very excited about AFB, he is a genuine top 3 prop, but only make my for 5 ‘excited for signing’ leaderboard. My top 3:
Noddy - putting aside the train wreck of Anderson and how it worked out, we were getting the bloke who was finally going to win us the comp. If we had just plugged noddy into our culture and didn’t blow up the joint we may have

Luke Lewis - I always f**ken loved this bloke and was super excited when we signed him. Could not believe the pennies were letting him go, could only sees positives.

Jimmy Maloney - a born winner and exactly the sort of bloke we needed to push to the next level and that’s what ended up happening.

But my winner is Luke Lewis, was frothing to see him as a shark and was extra pumped for him to prove Gus Gould wrong who I had a particular problem with at the time

 

[Frenzy.]

That’s an interesting one, who have you looked forward to seeing the most in Sharks kit post signing? I am very excited about AFB, he is a genuine top 3 prop, but only make my for 5 ‘excited for signing’ leaderboard. My top 3:
Noddy - putting aside the train wreck of Anderson and how it worked out, we were getting the bloke who was finally going to win us the comp. If we had just plugged noddy into our culture and didn’t blow up the joint we may have

Luke Lewis - I always f**ken loved this bloke and was super excited when we signed him. Could not believe the pennies were letting him go, could only sees positives.

Jimmy Maloney - a born winner and exactly the sort of bloke we needed to push to the next level and that’s what ended up happening.

But my winner is Luke Lewis, was frothing to see him as a shark and was extra pumped for him to prove Gus Gould wrong who I had a particular problem with at the time

Please take a timeout Eion. TTG triggers my PTSD

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

That’s an interesting one, who have you looked forward to seeing the most in Sharks kit post signing? I am very excited about AFB, he is a genuine top 3 prop, but only make my for 5 ‘excited for signing’ leaderboard. My top 3:
Noddy - putting aside the train wreck of Anderson and how it worked out, we were getting the bloke who was finally going to win us the comp. If we had just plugged noddy into our culture and didn’t blow up the joint we may have

Luke Lewis - I always f**ken loved this bloke and was super excited when we signed him. Could not believe the pennies were letting him go, could only sees positives.

Jimmy Maloney - a born winner and exactly the sort of bloke we needed to push to the next level and that’s what ended up happening.

But my winner is Luke Lewis, was frothing to see him as a shark and was extra pumped for him to prove Gus Gould wrong who I had a particular problem with at the time

My top 3 previous signings would be Lewis...Jimmy and Ennis. All bought significant experience and a winning culture to the club. Noddy tried hard but didn't have the cattle or coaching smarts around him. AFB.... assuming he stays injury free will surpass all these guys as our most important signing imo.

 

[Eion]

My top 3 previous signings would be Lewis...Jimmy and Ennis. All bought significant experience and a winning culture to the club. Noddy tried hard but didn't have the cattle or coaching smarts around him. AFB.... assuming he stays injury free will surpass all these guys as our most important signing imo.

In hindsight I agree about Ennis . But at the time I thought he was a washed up pest. Also thought TTG would bring us to the promised land. Wrong on both counts.

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

In hindsight I agree about Ennis . But at the time I thought he was a washed up pest. Also thought TTG would bring us to the promised land. Wrong on both counts.

Yeah I f**ken hated Ennis as an opposition player but respected his footy smarts. Still chuckle at his happy clapper stunt after that semi in Canberra that day.

 

[bluefox68]

Please take a timeout Eion. TTG triggers my PTSD

I know 'TTG' is Noddy - but shouldn't it be TGG - The Garden Gnome...?

 

[DJDL]

I know 'TTG' is Noddy - but shouldn't it be TGG - The Garden Gnome...?

It's "The Toxic Gnome".

 

[bluefox68]

It's "The Toxic Gnome".

Awesome - thanks for the clarification!!!

 

[bad boy bubby]

Fonua-Blake on his move, 2025 plans, and what excites him most

Addin Fonua-Blake fronted the media for the first time since joining the Sharks, discussing his move to the Shire, plans for 2025, and what excites him most about donning the black, white, and blue.

www.sharks.com.au