The Warriors have confirmed Addin Fonua-Blake will remain with the club in 2024 after requesting a release on compassionate grounds from the last three years of his contract.
Following discussions overnight, CEO Cameron George said an agreement had been reached for Fonua-Blake to remain with the Warriors for the 2024 season while assessing his personal circumstances for 2025 and beyond.
“My only motivation for this move is for family reasons,” said Fonua-Blake.
“But I really want all Warriors fans to know that I am fully committed to getting into the 2024 season. I can’t wait to get back to training with my teammates with the aim to go even further in the upcoming season.”
The news comes after the Warriors re-signed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to a new one-year deal which will see the prolific winger stay at the club until the end of 2025.
After originally signing a four-year deal in 2021, the 28-year-old is now set to bring up a fifth season for the Warriors after a career-best season which saw him score 24 tries – breaking the club’s 20-year record for most tries in a season and awarded the 2023 Dally M Winger of the Year.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have landed English international Morgan Smithies on a three-year deal which will see him stay at Canberra until the end of 2026.
The 22-year-old forward will join the Raiders on the back of a Super League grand final victory for Wigan, the club which he has played 114 games for since making his debut in 2019.
Capable at playing lock and in the second row, Smithies will follow the footsteps of several English players who have successfully made the transition into the NRL at the Raiders.