Mitchell Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake, front rowers for the One New Zealand Warriors, have been recognised as the NRL’s top props in the peer-voted 2024 Players’ Dream Team.
The recognition follows their club awards, with Barnett receiving the Simon Mannering Medal for player of the year and Fonua-Blake named players’ player of the year at the Warriors’ annual awards. They edged out notable competition, including Canberra’s Joseph Tapine and Brisbane’s Payne Haas, to secure the Dream Team spots. Fonua-Blake also earned this honor in 2023, alongside teammates Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Shaun Johnson.
In a standout season, Barnett reached his 150-game milestone and captained the Warriors in Tohu Harris’ absence, setting career-best defensive and offensive stats. Fonua-Blake dominated the NRL with the most post-contact metres (1698) and ranked fourth for total metres gained (4031), solidifying his status as the league’s top try-scoring front rower. The duo’s inclusion in the Dream Team highlights their exceptional contributions to the Warriors’ successful season and cements their reputations as elite forwards in the NRL.
2024 Players Dream Team
- Fullback: Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)
- Wingers: Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Centres: Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) - Five-eighth: Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
- Halfback: Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm)
- Props: Addin Fonua-Blake (One New Zealand Warriors), Mitchell Barnett (One New Zealand Warriors)
- Hooker: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
- Second rowers: Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Eli Katoa (Melbourne Storm)
- Lock: Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
- Impact: Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)
