Addin Fonua-Blake emphasizes his role as the powerful forward leader for Cronulla, filling the void left by Andrew Fifita.
Addin Fonua-Blake says he's making it personal.
Fonua-Blake, the leader of the Cronulla forward pack, was recruited from the Warriors in Auckland to the Sutherland Shire club last season for his size, power, and insane footwork for a big man.
Above all, the Tongan Test captain was signed for the month of September.
In the eyes of many Cronulla fans, the missing ingredient since club legend Andrew Fifita retired in 2022 is the enforcer up front, a history of big men, in big matches that Fonua-Blake understands.
From Glenn Lazarus at the Raiders and Broncos to Sam Burgess at Souths, Jason Taumalolo at the Cowboys, Jesse Bromwich at the Storm, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at the Roosters, James Fisher-Harris at the Panthers and Fifita at the Sharks, the NRL champions are crowned each season largely on the shoulders of a pack leader.