They have cleared salary cap space with the departures ofMatt Moylan (Leigh) andConnor Tracey (Bulldogs),allowing them to be a major player in the transfer market for 2025.

Fonua-Blake was named alongside Payne Haas at prop in the Dally M Team of the Year and can command one of the highest salaries for a forward in NRL history after a barnstorming three seasons across the Tasman.

The Warriors have already moved to counter Fonua-Blake’s departure,signing Broncos veteran Kurt Capewell to an immediate switch after Brisbane’sheartbreaking grand final loss.

The club said Fonua-Blake would be required to stay in New Zealand until the end of 2024,but was free to return to Australia after that.

The unexpected entry of Fonua-Blake into the player market added extra spice to the summer,which has been dominated by Jarome Luai’s decision on whether to leave the Panthers.

The five-eighth has received interest from both the Tigers and Bulldogs,but has yet to decide whether to move on from the three-time defending champions Penrith to land a multi-million dollar payday with a Sydney rival.

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