Incoming Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake has been announced as one of six finalists for the men's IRL Golden Boot award after his starring role for Tonga in the Pacific Championships.
The world-class prop is shortlisted for international player-of-the-year honours alongside Tom Trbojevic (Australia), Isaah Yeo (Australia), Harry Grant (Australia), Keano Kini (New Zealand) and Herbie Farnworth (England).
The finalists were chosen from a 17-player long list.
Fonua-Blake is in line to become the first player from a Pacific Islands nation to win the Golden Boot. He co-captained Tonga to a spine-tingling Pacific Cup final showdown with Australia after spearheading a 25-24 win over New Zealand.
While the Kangaroos reigned supreme, Tonga has emerged as a powerhouse.
With an enormous average of 191 metres across three Tests and a barnstorming try against the Kiwis, Fonua-Blake will join the Sharks in sparkling form.
Fonua-Blake will meet his new teammates shortly for pre-season training. The explosive 29-year-old front-rower has signed with Cronulla until the end of 2028.
Golden Cap recipients Darren Lockyer (Australia), James Graham (England) and Petero Civoniceva (Australia/Fiji), who are among just nine players to have played 50 internationals, will choose the men's IRL Golden Boot winner.
International award recipients will be announced in early December. Sharks duo Tiana Penitani and Annessa Biddle are contenders for the women's Golden Boot.
IRL Chair Troy Grant said: "The passion of players for international rugby league has rarely been more evident than in the past month and that has shone through in the quality of matches and individual performances.
"The atmosphere at CommBank Stadium last Sunday when Tonga played Australia was as good as any in world sport, but the emotions of players and fans has been on display throughout the Pacific Championships and the England-Samoa series.
"From the Samoan and English players coming together during the cultural challenge at the start of the first game of their series, to the tears of Tongan and Kiwi players before their match in Auckland, it has been an amazing period for international rugby league.
"The international game is in strong shape again and excitement is already building for next year, with the first Ashes series since 2003 between Australia and England, while New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga will play in the Pacific Cup.
"On behalf of International Rugby League, I would like to congratulate all of the players who showed such pride and passion representing their nations and particularly those who have been nominated for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot.
"It is an outstanding field of candidates and any would be a worthy winner."
2024 MEN'S IRL GOLDEN BOOT SHORT LIST
Addin Fonua-Blake (Tonga)
Harry Grant (Australia)
Isaah Yeo (Australia)
Tom Trbojevic (Australia)
Herbie Farnworth (England)
Keano Kini (New Zealand)
Previous IRL Golden Boot Winners
Men
1984 Wally Lewis (Australia)
1985 Brett Kenny (Australia)
1986 Garry Jack (Australia)
1987 Hugh McGahan (New Zealand)
and Peter Sterling (Australia)
1988 Ellery Hanley (England)
1989 Mal Meninga (Australia)
1990 Garry Schofield (England)
1992 Garry Schofield (England)
1991-98 No award given
1999 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2000 Brad Fittler (Australia)
2001 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2002 Stacey Jones (New Zealand)
2003 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2004 Andrew Farrell (England)
2005 Anthony Minichiello (Australia)
2006 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2007 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2008 Billy Slater (Australia)
2009 Greg Inglis (Australia)
2010 Benji Marshall (New Zealand)
2011 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2012 Kevin Sinfield (England)
2013 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2014 Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
2015 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2016 Cooper Cronk (Australia)
2017 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2018 Tommy Makinson (England)
2019 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
2020 No award given
2021 No award given
2022 Joey Manu (New Zealand)
2023 James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand)
