Former Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake is gearing up for his first NRL season with the Cronulla Sharks, looking fitter than ever as he adapts to a new playing style under coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
The 2023 Dally M Prop of the Year, who spent four seasons with the Warriors, was granted a release from his contract at the end of 2023 but played out the 2024 season before moving to Cronulla.
“I knew they were a fit team and it shows in the way that they play, coming up against them they’re constantly a threat,” Fonua-Blake told the Daily Telegraph.
“I knew I had to do some sort of training, I didn’t want to come [to the Sharks] and make a bad impression, so I did some running sessions… I can slowly see the changes in my body and I’m feeling good, man. I’m feeling fit.”
With the Sharks falling just one game short of the grand final last season, Fonua-Blake is expected to play a key role.
“They train extremely hard, Fitzy has set a high standard,” he said. “I’ve been training hard with him to get myself to suit his style of the game.”