Departing Fonua-Blake admits he'll miss Mt Smart magic as historic home sell-out streak nears

While inconsistency has plagued the One NZ Warriors through a difficult 2024 campaign, the same can't be said about their fervent fanbase.

The numbers speak for themselves. For tangible evidence of the passion and commitment of the Wahs faithful, look no further than the remarkable record they're on track to set in selling out all 11 of their home games this season, something never before seen in the NRL.

Friday's fixture against Wests Tigers is officially a sell-out and tickets for next week's match against Parramatta Eels are also flying out the door, leaving just their round 24 match with Canterbury Bulldogs to complete the historic sweep - and all while the team clings to just the faintest hope of securing a finals berth.

The gravity of the potential achievement hasn't been lost on departing forward powerhouse Addin Fonua-Blake.

That closing trio of contests will likely be the Mate Ma'a Tonga bulldozer's last at Go Media Stadium, before he joins the Cronulla Sharks from 2025, having been granted an early release from his Warriors contract on compassionate grounds.

"You're happy knowing that you're still selling out the stadium given the way we're going," Fonua-Blake said.

"I think that just shows how loyal our supporters are at the Warriors. They just keep turning up for us week-in and week-out and we're going to need them this weekend to help us get the job done."

There's a dose of additional sentimentality for the 2023 Dally M Team of the Year member, who has arguably been the team's best overall player through his four-season stint at Mt Smart.

Fonua-Blake's metre-eating runs through the middle and try-scoring exploits have seen him become a fan favourite, and he admits he'll "definitely" miss those fans as much as they'll miss him next year, after he wings his way to the shire.

"It's a different feeling when you come here and it's sold-out and you've got the fireworks," said the club's second-leading try scorer.

"I'm just trying to take in every last moment that I've got here and cherish the memories I'm making with these boys, in whatever time I've got left.

"I'm just trying to make every moment count from here on."

For Fonua-Blake to have any chance of extending those memory-making opportunities, the Warriors will need to dispatch Benji Marshall's struggling Tigers this weekend as part of a six-game stretch where not even a clean slate of wins would guarantee them a place in the post-season.

The 28-year-old admits the team have addressed their 'must-win' predicament, but are reluctant to take their eyes off the immediate matter at hand - a young Tigers side with nothing to lose.

"Obviously we've spoken about it, but we've parked that talk for a bit now," he explained.

"We just want to focus on game by game. If we start looking too far ahead you lose focus of what's right in front of you, coming up against a Tigers team that's pretty desperate.

"They're a team full of young players who like to chance their arm a lot - full of energy. We're going to have to turn up this week and try and match them and hopefully get a job done."

Coincidentally, the final game of the Warriors' schedule takes place at Fonua-Blake's soon-to-be home at Cronulla's PointsBet Stadium. Whether it will double as his Warriors farewell will be determined over the coming weeks.

Join SENZ of live commentary of the One NZ Warriors vs Wests Tigers at Go Media Stadium, this Friday from 6pm, followed by the Parramatta Eels vs Melbourne Storm - all available on the SENZ app and all local frequencies.