Rumoured / Confirmed Signings

[Frenzy.]

Trying to work out a player swap with the dogs. I'd expect a Miller/Bradbury type deal

I assume you mean a back for a forward type deal? I know of 2 forwards they will happily ditch. Both baggage carriers.

 

[Frenzy.]

I asked the question of Dave Riccio if we were in for AFB on the back of Moyza and Tracey leaving and thus creating cap space - he answered it on the Tele NRL Podcast and I was quite enthused by his answer.
He said he expects we’ll make a decision on whether to pursue AFB in next week or 2 and that Moyza and Tracey going gives $600k in cap, plus we had some space already, so finding space shouldn’t be an issue…. Throw in a trade, and it’s on I reckon!
If it was a no, Riccio would have just shut it down. The more he spoke, the more it sounded like it could be on - but that might be my wishful thinking. Interested to see if anyone else heard the podcast and interpreted it differently.

Get Roy Sunt on it. He and AFB played in the NSWCHS team together in 2013. Anyway, despite Riccio's report the other spies don't seem to have twigged.

Fonua-Blake’s bid for Australian return ramps up​

New Zealand Warriors star prop Addin Fonua-Blake is reportedly using his final days away from pre-season training to meet with Australian-based clubs.

The prop sent a bombshell through the Warriors in recent weeks after requesting a release on compassionate grounds. It was reported he wanted to move back to Sydney to be close to his parents.

After discussion, it was eventually confirmed that Fonua-Blake would remain a Warrior in 2024, but that the club had given him permission to seek out a new home for 2025.

Those talks have now ramped up, with Channel 9 News reporting that the star prop met with the Wests Tigers at Habberfield Rowers on Thursday, with plans to meet the St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday.

The Dragons broke out as the almost immediate favourites for Fonua-Blake following his release request, with incoming coach Shane Flanagan having cash to burn and a desire to rebuild the Dragons as quickly as possible. The club are also making big money plays for North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Thomas Dearden and Sydney Roosters star centre Joseph Manu.

It's unclear at this stage whether the Warriors will demand a player in return for Fonua-Blake, who is one of the game's best props and was named in the Dally M team of the year at the end of season awards in 2023 following his staring role in the club surprising to make the preliminary finals.

If the Warriors were to put that demand on the table, then there are few players across the competition who could match the output of Fonua-Blake, and with few props on the market for 2025, there is little in the way of signing the Warriors could make to compensate themselves.

That said, the Warriors recently released Josh Curran to the Canterbury Bulldogs in a bid to free up playing time for a host of young players at the club, and coach Andrew Webster may similarly look at Fonua-Blake's potential departure as a way to bring through the the club's youth.

Without a release, the 28-year-old forward who recently played for Tonga in a three-Test series against England is contracted to the Warriors until at least the end of 2026.

 

[DJDL]

Trying to work out a player swap with the dogs. I'd expect a Miller/Bradbury type deal

I honestly can’t think of a single Dog I’d be interested in.
Unless they have some young, upcoming monster of a middle or gun outside back.

 

[Stake Removed]

Get Roy Sunt on it. He and AFB played in the NSWCHS team together in 2013. Anyway, despite Riccio's report the other spies don't seem to have twigged.

Fonua-Blake’s bid for Australian return ramps up​

New Zealand Warriors star prop Addin Fonua-Blake is reportedly using his final days away from pre-season training to meet with Australian-based clubs.

The prop sent a bombshell through the Warriors in recent weeks after requesting a release on compassionate grounds. It was reported he wanted to move back to Sydney to be close to his parents.

After discussion, it was eventually confirmed that Fonua-Blake would remain a Warrior in 2024, but that the club had given him permission to seek out a new home for 2025.

Those talks have now ramped up, with Channel 9 News reporting that the star prop met with the Wests Tigers at Habberfield Rowers on Thursday, with plans to meet the St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday.

The Dragons broke out as the almost immediate favourites for Fonua-Blake following his release request, with incoming coach Shane Flanagan having cash to burn and a desire to rebuild the Dragons as quickly as possible. The club are also making big money plays for North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Thomas Dearden and Sydney Roosters star centre Joseph Manu.

It's unclear at this stage whether the Warriors will demand a player in return for Fonua-Blake, who is one of the game's best props and was named in the Dally M team of the year at the end of season awards in 2023 following his staring role in the club surprising to make the preliminary finals.

If the Warriors were to put that demand on the table, then there are few players across the competition who could match the output of Fonua-Blake, and with few props on the market for 2025, there is little in the way of signing the Warriors could make to compensate themselves.

That said, the Warriors recently released Josh Curran to the Canterbury Bulldogs in a bid to free up playing time for a host of young players at the club, and coach Andrew Webster may similarly look at Fonua-Blake's potential departure as a way to bring through the the club's youth.

Without a release, the 28-year-old forward who recently played for Tonga in a three-Test series against England is contracted to the Warriors until at least the end of 2026.

Apparently AFB and Talakai good mates.

 

[Stake Removed]

I honestly can’t think of a single Dog I’d be interested in.
Unless they have some young, upcoming monster of a middle or gun outside back.

There Flegg team won the comp this year, if someone in there that has plenty of promise, put him into our top 30 on base salary

 

[Stake Removed]

Get Roy Sunt on it. He and AFB played in the NSWCHS team together in 2013. Anyway, despite Riccio's report the other spies don't seem to have twigged.

Fonua-Blake’s bid for Australian return ramps up​

New Zealand Warriors star prop Addin Fonua-Blake is reportedly using his final days away from pre-season training to meet with Australian-based clubs.

The prop sent a bombshell through the Warriors in recent weeks after requesting a release on compassionate grounds. It was reported he wanted to move back to Sydney to be close to his parents.

After discussion, it was eventually confirmed that Fonua-Blake would remain a Warrior in 2024, but that the club had given him permission to seek out a new home for 2025.

Those talks have now ramped up, with Channel 9 News reporting that the star prop met with the Wests Tigers at Habberfield Rowers on Thursday, with plans to meet the St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday.

The Dragons broke out as the almost immediate favourites for Fonua-Blake following his release request, with incoming coach Shane Flanagan having cash to burn and a desire to rebuild the Dragons as quickly as possible. The club are also making big money plays for North Queensland Cowboys five-eighth Thomas Dearden and Sydney Roosters star centre Joseph Manu.

It's unclear at this stage whether the Warriors will demand a player in return for Fonua-Blake, who is one of the game's best props and was named in the Dally M team of the year at the end of season awards in 2023 following his staring role in the club surprising to make the preliminary finals.

If the Warriors were to put that demand on the table, then there are few players across the competition who could match the output of Fonua-Blake, and with few props on the market for 2025, there is little in the way of signing the Warriors could make to compensate themselves.

That said, the Warriors recently released Josh Curran to the Canterbury Bulldogs in a bid to free up playing time for a host of young players at the club, and coach Andrew Webster may similarly look at Fonua-Blake's potential departure as a way to bring through the the club's youth.

Without a release, the 28-year-old forward who recently played for Tonga in a three-Test series against England is contracted to the Warriors until at least the end of 2026.

If he wants to win a comp looking at Sydney based teams and who they have only us and Roosters in with a show.
If it's just the money well Tigers, Dogs or Dragons.

If we get him it could just be using money from Moylan and Tracey plus Riccio said we had some spare cash, or we trade a player to.

Warriors might see it this way AFB to sharks.
They have 1.1 m, they get Klemmer from Tigers who in past experience pay will pay freight for say 500k, gives them 600k to upgrade contracts or going looking for someone else

 

[Special K]

I assume you mean a back for a forward type deal? I know of 2 forwards they will happily ditch. Both baggage carriers.

Nah more so swapping a NRL player for an up and coming player we see value in.

I wouldn't get my hopes up on AFB for a number of reasons. But he is very close with Fifita and based on Riccios comments the club knows it needs more aggression.

 

[Frenzy.]

Nah more so swapping a NRL player for an up and coming player we see value in.

I wouldn't get my hopes up on AFB for a number of reasons. But he is very close with Fifita and based on Riccios comments the club knows it needs more aggression.

Good. The only 'Dogs forward I'd consider is Preston and he'll be there forever.

I'm hoping, might have mentioned earlier, the up and comer is Jeral Skelton

 

[Frenzy.]

Nah more so swapping a NRL player for an up and coming player we see value in.

I wouldn't get my hopes up on AFB for a number of reasons. But he is very close with Fifita and based on Riccios comments the club knows it needs more aggression.

Hunt, Sifa, Feefs et all all mean nothing really as he probably has contacts at every suitor.

For the money, I'd rather have Klemmer. Wouldn't get the bank balance down to neutral and would save a bit for a mid season snafu on some snorkel. Riccio also said that at $400k "he'd" have a go at Klemmer.

 

[R-15-3]

Hunt, Sifa, Feefs et all all mean nothing really as he probably has contacts at every suitor.

For the money, I'd rather have Klemmer. Wouldn't get the bank balance down to neutral and would save a bit for a mid season snafu on some snorkel. Riccio also said that at $400k "he'd" have a go at Klemmer.

100% Klemmer is a better option.
Doesn’t destroy the salary cap and he has been great the past 2-3 years, never hits the highlight reels of others but his stats are what we are missing, good numbers all round, in some very poor teams.
Get him in a genuine top team and he will be talked about as best signing of the year.

 

[Special K]

Klemmer will be 31 before you get him. He also will have played 250 or so games at prop after debuting at 20. That is a lot of kms on the clock. For the right price sure but what is it? We can’t have another Fifita, Finucane etc situation. AFB would be 29 when you get him.

 

[Frenzy.]

Klemmer will be 31 before you get him. He also will have played 250 or so games at prop after debuting at 20. That is a lot of kms on the clock. For the right price sure but what is it? We can’t have another Fifita, Finucane etc situation. AFB would be 29 when you get him.

Nuh, he turns 30 in a month and if he's being shopped apparently. That usually means immediate release. I'd say someone gets him for 2024.

 

[Frenzy.]

Toby retained. Till end of 1026

 

[glenmoresharkie]

Defs not sold on Toby but let’s see how he progresses

 

[Special K]

Nuh, he turns 30 in a month and if he's being shopped apparently. That usually means immediate release. I'd say someone gets him for 2024.

Nope. In classic tigers fashion the idiots want him for 24 after telling him they don't for 25. Crazy. Unless he forces their hand now.

Very telling Toby was the first of the middles signed. BHU is probably one of the best players left on the open market. The transfer system sucks.

 

[Frenzy.]

Nope. In classic tigers fashion the idiots want him for 24 after telling him they don't for 25. Crazy. Unless he forces their hand now.

Very telling Toby was the first of the middles signed. BHU is probably one of the best players left on the open market. The transfer system sucks.

If you were him would you try and force their hand now? I would.

Who's the more popular, TPP or Tody?

 

[DJDL]

Very telling Toby was the first of the middles signed. BHU is probably one of the best players left on the open market. The transfer system sucks.

Isn't it just.
I also find it interesting there hasn't been any talk of BHU being chased by other clubs.
The ball is very much in the club's court there.

 

[Generalzod]

Defs not sold on Toby but let’s see how he progresses

Agreed not enough agro.

 

[Mr Angry]

Uele himself is at a crossroads.

To me he easily our most skilled middle, has footwork, an offload, cat like reflexes and can absolutely smash a bloke his size.

He is still young, I think worth keeping.

Royce is our Bull, farging start him Fitz.

Toby solid worker.

 

[Special K]

BHU this year bought a house in the shire and is extremely settled. But if you look at the dog shit available for 25 he is going to be in demand at a big price because he is talented, experienced and a tremendous person. I hope we keep him. If I was the Warriors I would be calling BHU before Capewell especially with the AFB drama.

Jack Williams is another who will be getting calls.