BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
@TYGA add to the list Oregon Kaufusi, Griffin Neame & Nelson Asofa-Solomona (if rumours of Storm management being off him) and from Super League - Matty Lees, George Delaney & Mikolaj Oledzki.
Stefano Utoikamanu #241
- Thread starter Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
- Start date
Buttface
Well-known member
NAS is only 28. I’m not sure why he’s been in Reggie’s lately but I’d be happy for him to replace the Ute if he’s not happy with 800+?
Get some NOS in ya Ute!
I’d be happier if we had both.
InBulaWeTrust
Well-known member
I would imagine he would, Daniel O'Loughlin is his manager, who I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of pressure is being put on Stef to leave. I'm sure there is a money incentive on his behalf
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Interesting … what pressure are you referring to? I still think there is some possibility he stays at the WT…and they will probably end up with the offer of the most money
rugbygoated
Well-known member
Yeah and the way he has a clause in his contract and isn't anywhere near 100% on the 'Tigers Train' you don't pay that much for that long for someone who is uncertain and only going to stay for money or long term career security. He's only one player, and if he leaves it will be disappointing but will free up some money. Klemmer will retire in the next year or 2 so I imagine we need to find a prop on the market anyway. Just have to be smart with recruitment and be patient
rugbygoated
Well-known member
Richo said last year you don't pay that sort of money for a prop. He says you need game changers on millions, not props. So I doubt he'd pay that much even for someone as important as Haas
Remember when Stef said he wanted to be club captain? How this guy sees himself as a leader is beyond me. Quietest guy on field and regularly goes missing during games. Now all this contract drama.
I personally couldn't care if he leaves or not, as much potential as he has. As others have stated, we want players who want to be here and who will put the effort in week in and out.
I personally couldn't care if he leaves or not, as much potential as he has. As others have stated, we want players who want to be here and who will put the effort in week in and out.
Tiger-ferret
Well-known member
Yep it’s a very fair offer from a struggling club. If a player doesn’t take it they wouldn’t buy in no matter how much overs we offer.
Jolls
Well-known member
Notice that there is nothing coming from the club - I expect if there was a leak under Richo someone could be looking for another job. It is more likely the media is creating something based on speculation or his manager as ususal. If he rejects the offer and tests the market we can always come back with another offer. That is if what we here is true and not just manager setting a benchmark for the market. We can't afford to continue paying overs on average performers. We have made a fair offer - if he rejects it we can look elsewhere.
Just a thought.
We are in this mess because we offered above the odds on long contracts to a few under performing players. In this case Sullivan and to a lesser extent Bateman. One article I read stated Tigers are continually cleaning up house due to their own salary cap mess.
So why in the same article would we entertain the suggestion of paying above our already inflated offer for our own prop forward who is not performing to the level of what salary we are offering even in the first instance.
Why just why?
Are we better off not making these deals? Backing vets on medium contracts to supplement our squad and juniors on low contracts that remain as such until they are after a big pay day.
I feel that’s the only way out of this mess.
1 Ruben porter and Jordan Millar to replace 1 outgoing Stefano or we will never make any progress.
I feel this is what Melbourne had done for the extent of their dynasty and Penrith are doing now to maintain their squad.
If Stef was putting out Hass, AFB, Fish performances on a regular basis then he could be considered part of the core.
Until then, burn, rinse and repeat until the right ingredients are there for the success intended!
We are in this mess because we offered above the odds on long contracts to a few under performing players. In this case Sullivan and to a lesser extent Bateman. One article I read stated Tigers are continually cleaning up house due to their own salary cap mess.
So why in the same article would we entertain the suggestion of paying above our already inflated offer for our own prop forward who is not performing to the level of what salary we are offering even in the first instance.
Why just why?
Are we better off not making these deals? Backing vets on medium contracts to supplement our squad and juniors on low contracts that remain as such until they are after a big pay day.
I feel that’s the only way out of this mess.
1 Ruben porter and Jordan Millar to replace 1 outgoing Stefano or we will never make any progress.
I feel this is what Melbourne had done for the extent of their dynasty and Penrith are doing now to maintain their squad.
If Stef was putting out Hass, AFB, Fish performances on a regular basis then he could be considered part of the core.
Until then, burn, rinse and repeat until the right ingredients are there for the success intended!
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
If Stef doesn't own the Dragons forward pack on Friday night, he's not worth a cent over $600k. This match will be quite telling how much desire he has.
The Chad
Well-known member
I believe Utoikamanu will stay.
I wouldn't be surprised if the contract goes up a little, but enough positive things have been said over the last 12 months that I believe he really does want to stay & captain the club. Even Richo sounded very positive that this would be the outcome.
ALL THAT SAID.
If Utoikamanu does in fact leave, I think replacing him needs to be done carefully by the club. A lot of names bandied about are quality players. But I don't think they are of the same quality. So the money can't just be burned because "we need to sign someone".
It could be that his replacement is better off coming from within- Pole, Sione Fainu, Miller for example, with depth coming from elsewhere- a lower priced player that plays a role, instead of high investment in a name.
The money spent on NOS may not be the wisest investment. Willison will probably cost a bit, but might be a wise long-term investment. Hola from the Raiders could be the budget depth type signing. A couple of those Dragons forwards might be worth a look.
The temptation to replace a name player with another name player is strong- but something I think the club needs to be careful of as the investment probably isn't worth the dollars in the current market.
I wouldn't be surprised if the contract goes up a little, but enough positive things have been said over the last 12 months that I believe he really does want to stay & captain the club. Even Richo sounded very positive that this would be the outcome.
ALL THAT SAID.
If Utoikamanu does in fact leave, I think replacing him needs to be done carefully by the club. A lot of names bandied about are quality players. But I don't think they are of the same quality. So the money can't just be burned because "we need to sign someone".
It could be that his replacement is better off coming from within- Pole, Sione Fainu, Miller for example, with depth coming from elsewhere- a lower priced player that plays a role, instead of high investment in a name.
The money spent on NOS may not be the wisest investment. Willison will probably cost a bit, but might be a wise long-term investment. Hola from the Raiders could be the budget depth type signing. A couple of those Dragons forwards might be worth a look.
The temptation to replace a name player with another name player is strong- but something I think the club needs to be careful of as the investment probably isn't worth the dollars in the current market.
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
I thought only a month or so ago he was the one driving the bus for the younger guys to get oboard. They are most likely referencing his requests pre season if not he's changed his mind multiple times in a few months.
I agree with Richo
With the exception of Hass & Finua-Blake
Looking at tonight’s origin teams each team has 5
Middle forwards in their squad
with 6 of them playing as a Lock forward on weekends
Payne Hass is a standout and should play big minutes the other 3 PROP’s
S.Leniu
L.Collins
M.Fotuaika
Will probably play around 30 minutes (Collins possibly more)
Players that are worth big $ to play in our midfield
I.Yeo
R.Cotter
P.Carrington
J.Hopgood
Of cause none of them are on the market to buy but for the $ being mentioned about Stefano I know what type of player I’d prefer.
How many minutes do you think Stefano would play tonight if he was selected ?
When your down the bottom you need ro pay overs.
Tigers won't be down for long.
Tigers won't be down for long.
hank37w
Well-known member
It's more than very generous, it's insanity if you take an honest look at his contribution, and you are right, he can go.
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I like Uto hope he stays entering his best years and we have to pay overs to acquire players. That said smart play offer is strong but fair Hamlin Uele got 750k top props 1m+. It’s the going rate.
I agree, but at some point this has to stop. Theres no other way out otherwise.
