New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is busy building the squad he believes can turn the club’s fortunes around and locking in a powerhouse back is the next piece in the puzzle.
He has also turned his attention to luring a rising Cowboys star to the Red V while the Sharks have also entered the race for a superstar prop.
Read on for the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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WESTS DRAMA! Nofoaluma skips training | 00:41
SHARKS’ AFB BID
The Sharks are reportedly considering putting their name in the hat to sign superstar prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
That is according to the SMH who are reporting Craig Fitzgibbon’s side are yet to table an official offer to the forward who is expected to command $1 million per season.
However, Sharks chairman Steve Mace said: “Why wouldn’t any club consider a player like Addin? He’d be a valuable asset to any team” when asked a about a potential pursuit for his services.
The 28-year-old is set to be released at the end of the 2024 season after seeking an immediate release on compassionate grounds.
Fonua-Blake wants to return to Sydney and the Tigers, Bulldogs and Dragons have already made it clear they will make a play for the hulking prop.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have recently cleared salary cap space with both Matt Moylan and Connor Tracey departing the club.
Fonua-Blake could be the perfect man to join Braden Hamlin-Uele, Toby Rudolf, Royce Hunt and Oregon Kaufusi in the middle.
Cronulla have the advantage of being able to offer the gun prop finals football, having featured in the top eight in the last two seasons.
Fonua-Blake was named Dally M Prop of the Year alongside Payne Haas in 2023 and he currently earns around $1 million-per-season.
DRAGONS SET TO EXTEND SULI
The Dragons are set to lock in boom centre Moses Suli after tabling a three-year extension to the 25-year-old.
That is according to a News Corp report, which claims Suli and the club are close to agreeing to terms.
Suli joined the Dragons ahead of the 2022 season after being released early from his Manly contract.
The Tongan international was one of the Dragons’ best players in what was a disappointing 2023 campaign. He finished the season with two tries, six try assists and six linebreaks in 22 games while averaging 118 running metres per game. He also finished second in the side for tackle busts with a total of 75.
It comes after Suli created a stir back in March when he admitted he initially didn’t want to join the Dragons but said he had to “do what is best for me and my footy.”
The next day he was forced to clarify his comments, claiming his interview got “twisted” and explaining that his initial hesitation was due to having to leaving is family home.
“I love the club and loyal fans.” Suli said in March.
Suli’s new deal will keep him in the Red V until the end of 2027.
Nawaqanitawase set to ink Chooks deal | 00:30
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RISING COWBOY ON FLANNO’S HIT LIST
Shane Flanagan has made no secret of his interest in Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake, but he reportedly has his eye on another forward too.
News Corpreports Flanagan is also pursuing Cowboys second-rower Heilum Luki.
The 22-year-old has an option in his favour for 2025 with the Cowboys but is yet to take it up.
He is a genuine rising star that is expected to play Origin one day but has been forced to play majority of his NRL career so far off the bench behind starting edge forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Luciano Leilua.
The Cowboys have a fight on their hands to retain 19-year-old Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, whose impressive rookie season sparked the interest of several rival clubs.
Finefeuiaki comes off contract at the end of 2024, as does Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden. The club may struggle to retain them all — which could open the door for the Dragons to poach Luki.
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