- 3 May 2016
- Manly Daily
- Jon Geddes
Second chance at NRL taken full on
Fonua-Blake’s short stint at Manly enough to convince City selectors
HE HAS only played three NRL games for the Sea Eagles, but blockbusting forward Addin Fonua-Blake has turned his career around since the club handed him a second chance.
The 20-year-old frontrower was the bolter in the City squad to play Country on Sunday in Tamworth and his selection demonstrates how Manly have helped get his career back on track after he was sacked by St George Illawarra last year.
Fonua-Blake was cleared to play NRL again, satisfying the Integrity Unit that he had completed a comprehensive off-field counselling and development program after pleading guilty to a common assault charge.
“He has quickly been accepted by his teammates who have assisted greatly in his rehabilitation program,” Manly chief executive Joe Kelly said.
“The game has helped a young man, accompanied by his family, to turn his life around.”
And City are confident Fonua-Blake will make a big impact on the weekend.
City Origin manager Paul Sironen said: “We have identified he’s a player of potential and with the limited games he’s played for Manly, he has certainly made an impact off the bench.”
Sironen said that was what City coach Brad Fittler would be looking for on Sunday.
“He’s a big, strong kid. He’s fearless and he’s a big body in the middle of the ruck,” Sironen said.
“He’ll do a job a la what he’s doing for Manly at the moment.”
Fonua-Blake is one of 11 Sea Eagles players involved in the various representative games this weekend.
Star trio Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Walker and Jake Trbojevic would also have been in the City side had they not been injured.
It was a particularly cruel blow for Jake Trbojevic, who was ruled out yesterday.
“He was the first one here for a medical and was devastated to be ruled out,” Sironen said.
“His knee has been giving him a bit of grief – he’s been playing with it at Manly.
“There was discussion between the City Origin staff and the Manly club and it was decided that he needed to be rested for a week.
“He’s a great kid and he’s still been going enormous.”