The Rumours Thread

[The Word]

Now, that is a signing that would make a difference!

Yes he would make a difference. Certainly if he plays like he did last year. If he comes for the 2025 season I think he'll be nearly 30 though so I'd say if we're paying big money for him then you wouldn't want to go more than a 3 year contract.

 

[blacksafake]

Why wait till tomorrow, when you can read it now

https://archive.md/D8BzE#selection-949.0-1042.0

Dragons and Dogs in, Roosters out of Addin Fonua-Blake race amid new Warriors clause​

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.
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.
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.

• https://archive.md/o/D8BzE/https://...e/news-story/05c6ded5d7e3118dc1be50fc780ecc7b
• https://archive.md/o/D8BzE/https://...e/news-story/05c6ded5d7e3118dc1be50fc780ecc7b

Thanks for that @AyiosYiorgos

 

[saintmar]

Happy for us to send the Warriors F Molo in return for AFB as a straight swap for 2024.
Plus some cash if that will get the deal done.

No
Together Francis and AFB would rip sides apart

 

[saintmar]

How much cap space can the dogs possibly have to get AFB

As much as they need

 

[jak]

How much cap space can the dogs possibly have to get AFB

as much as needed

 

[baggygreen man]

6. Lui

Think we have more chance securing Tom Dearden. Do we really need Luai, his own skipper says he is not an organiser/play maker, and that above all is what the club needs badly and what Dearden provides.

 

[baggygreen man]

10. F Molo

No Lawrie? Blocka was our best engine room forward last year, had arguably his best year in the Red V. F Molo is inconsistent and waste his big size too often. Prefer his kid bro to be honest.

 

[baggygreen man]

Happy for us to send the Warriors F Molo in return for AFB as a straight swap for 2024.
Plus some cash if that will get the deal done.

Here here, need to pay extras as Molo is a class below AFB.

 

[baggygreen man]

Story will be broken in Tele tomorrow

No breaking story re AFB from New Corp that I saw.

 

[baggygreen man]

Russell is a bit of an unneeded cog

His forte is defense and we all know that, specially the middle, has been our achilles heel past two seasons. I hope our recruiters are taking note of any prospects defensive record as well as attacking.

 

[baggygreen man]

wonder if a player swap could be on the cards there also

Give em a Hunt/Matt Feagai double or a Murdoch-Masila/Frank Molo double, a fair swap.

 

[Biglance]

Give em a Hunt/Matt Feagai double or a Murdoch-Masila/Frank Molo double, a fair swap.

Bmm is the key to bringing afb. Both good mates, I'd give bmm an extension if afb comes

 

[Crush]

F Molo swap for AFB works for me.
Obviously rather keep both but still, that transaction is positive for dragons.

 

[Mojo]

Chuck on a six pack of Speights. Any Kiwi will take the deal.

 

[VodkaSaint]

Thanks for that @AyiosYiorgos

where are these arshole Dogs getting their salary cap from, Must have got a few tips from the roosters

 

[Crush]

where are these arshole Dogs getting their salary cap from, Must have got a few tips from the roosters

Arthur Laundy, TPAs.

 

[Biglance]

Arthur Laundy, TPAs.

Tpas can't come from a sponsor

 

[blacksafake]

where are these arshole Dogs getting their salary cap from, Must have got a few tips from the roosters

Laundy hotels

 

[blacksafake]

Tpas can't come from a sponsor

Supposedly but we all know that they get around it.
Maybe a friend of a friend

 

[Crush]

Supposedly but we all know that they get around it.
Maybe a friend of a friend

Didn’t they offer someone FOC shares in a Laundy pub or something?