Fonua-Blake cleared to play, Grant passes COVID test

Manly will name powerhouse prop Addin Fonua-Blake to return from suspension this week after gaining clearance for him to travel to Townsville from the Queensland government.

Fonua-Blake's place in the Sea Eagles line-up has been in doubt due to the Palaszczuk government's requirement for all NRL players to have been vaccinated.

NRL.com has been told by Manly sources that Fonua-Blake has "satisfied Queensland government protocols" and will be named to play against North Queensland on Friday night.

It is unclear whether Fonua-Blake has had a flu shot after the club backed his personal choice to refuse the vaccination.

The Cowboys clash will be Fonua-Blake's first game since serving a two-game ban and donating $20,000 to charity for his abuse of referee Grant Atkins in Manly's loss to Newcastle in round eight at Lottoland.

The Queensland government has granted medical exemptions previously to players who refused flu vaccinations, including Fonua-Blake's injured Manly teammate Dylan Walker and Titans forward Bryce Cartwright.

Front-row partner Marty Taupau was also among the small number of players who initially refused the immunisation after having an allergic reaction previously.

Taupau has since had a vaccination, while Canberra pair Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii are still yet to receive flu shots.

The Raiders play the Cowboys in Townsville as well next weekend, with the club planning to address the situation with Tapine and Papalii this week.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers star and Dally M Medal leader Harry Grant has also been cleared to take on Parramatta this Thursday after testing negative to COVID-19.

Grant missed Tigers training on Monday as he awaited his test results, which he was required to undergo after moving house.