Stefano Utoikamanu #241

I don’t think fans understand the current market and more importantly, the current salary cap. 900k isn’t what it was 5 years ago, let alone 2 years ago.

The cap has gone up 3+ million over the last few years and will go up even further over the coming years.

Props (rightly or wrongly) are top 3 paid in the game based on position. Like I posted previously, nearly all the top 15 props in the game are getting paid around or over 900k a season. Most of these guys are in or past their prime.

Props on and over 1million a season is going to become the new norm. It seems like Stef and his manager know this.
 
Vicious said:
The pure fact that all 16 rival NRL clubs would sign him in a heartbeat surely tells you the bloke has a fair amount of ability.
I’m starting to think you are like Billy Slater believing Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi are better players than David Fifita.
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Not all 16 clubs would be after him and it isn’t because some of them couldn’t fit them in their cap, there will be coaches and higher ups at other clubs that wouldn’t rate him. To clarify I don’t think he’s necessarily a bad player but he’s not worth anything beyond 600K based on current form. I don’t care who Billy Slater picks for his team not because I don’t support QLD I am a NSW fan, but he is entitled to pick who he thinks will do the job for him as is Madge for NSW.
 
Glenji95 said:
Maybe he will, but based on current effort he’s not worth that much either. They can have him for that price. 800K from us we ain’t getting that kind of value from him.
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And yet all the other clubs think he is.

For prop effort areas but more importantly tackle busts, pcm, effectiveness, trys and defense efficiency he is top 10 so far this season in a team that has been getting dominated against but people see what they want to see….

I’ve been critical of Stefano as think he has another gear to go to and stay at. He is close to hitting that and if he does alot of people would regret not paying up.
 
Canadian Club said:
I don’t think fans understand the current market and more importantly, the current salary cap. 900k isn’t what it was 5 years ago, let alone 2 years ago.

The cap has gone up 3+ million over the last few years and will go up even further over the coming years.

Props (rightly or wrongly) are top 3 paid in the game based on position. Like I posted previously, nearly all the top 15 props in the game are getting paid around or over 900k a season. Most of these guys are in or past their prime.

Props on and over 1million a season is going to become the new norm. It seems like Stef and his manager know this.
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100%. Each club by next year will have 3-5 players on 800k+
 
Realistically since he’s been here he’s only played a couple of notable games, we are considering paying big bucks for potential again.
Compare his output to JWH, older player , but should be slowing down, Stefano does not compare to the aged JWH. Put him on his bike and sign some lesser known props with regular higher output, we’d be miles in front
 
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Mighty_Tiger said:
100%. Each club by next year will have 3-5 players on 800k+
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Some already do!

Manly, Broncos, Storm, Souths, Penrith, Souths, Knights etc would all have 3+ players on 900k+.

There are also a number of the top players who have ratchet clauses that ensure their annual salary increased with the cap.

If I remember correctly, DCE’s contract is set at a % of the cap. So everytime the cap goes up, so does his salary.
 
900k for a prop is too much for the position. It’s a price a battling club can’t pay for a prop. It’s a mutual decision at that price.
 
OPENMENU

The Sydney Morning Herald​



Dragons and Raiders set to table $4.5 million offers to Utoikamanu​

By Michael Chammas​

June 28, 2024 — 6.01pm

St George Illawarra have signalled their interest in luring Stefano Utoikamanu to the club and are preparing to offer the Wests Tigers prop a five-year deal worth $4.5 million.
The Dragons opened discussions with Utoikamanu this week and want the opportunity to sell the club’s vision to the former NSW Origin representative, who this week was granted permission by the Tigers to explore options at rival clubs.
Stefano Utoikamanu showed no signs of being distracted, scoring a powerful try for the Tigers.
The Herald reported earlier this month that the Tigers have tabled Utoikamanu a five-year deal worth $4 million. That sum works out around $100,000 a season less than the Dragons have indicated they would be willing to spend on the player.
A Dragons official confirmed the club’s interest in Utoikamanu when contacted by the Herald on Friday.
The Canberra Raiders have also entered the race for his signature. The Raiders are preparing for life after Josh Papalii and have indicated they would be able to spend more than the Tigers have offered.


Sources with knowledge of the situation, talking on the condition of anonymity, told the Herald the Raiders – like the Dragons – would be willing to spend $900,000 per season to bring Utoikamanu to the nation’s capital.
Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu is in great demand.
The Melbourne Storm have also been keeping tabs on the situation and are preparing to make a play for the 24-year-old. The Bulldogs are exploring other options and aren’t willing to spend top dollar on a front-rower.
A unique clause in Utoikamanu’s contract will see him become a free agent if he didn’t play two State of Origin games this year or the Tigers missed the top eight. Utoikamanu was not selected for the first two Origin games, and the Tigers are only a slim chance of playing finals.
Utoikamanu decided against accepting the Tigers’ offer of an extension and met with chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall last week to inform them of his desire to explore the market at the end of the season.


The Tigers instead gave him permission to begin negotiations immediately, resulting in a conversation between the Dragons and his management.
Utoikamanu has told the club that he enjoys life under Marshall but also harbours a desire to play finals football. The club has been attempting to convince him he can do that in the near future at the Wests Tigers.
The Tigers’ offer, which averages out about $800,000 per year, is less than the $900,000 figure previous chief executive Justin Pascoe indicated the club would be willing to spend to retain the prop.
 
Canadian Club said:
I don’t think fans understand the current market and more importantly, the current salary cap. 900k isn’t what it was 5 years ago, let alone 2 years ago.
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Yep. 900k is the equivalent of a touch above 700k 5 years ago. I reckon some here would walk into a takeaway and still expect to get a large hot chips for $2.50, or be outraged they cant get a schooner for under $6 at the pub
 
liltiger said:
OPENMENU

The Sydney Morning Herald​



Dragons and Raiders set to table $4.5 million offers to Utoikamanu​

By Michael Chammas​

June 28, 2024 — 6.01pm

St George Illawarra have signalled their interest in luring Stefano Utoikamanu to the club and are preparing to offer the Wests Tigers prop a five-year deal worth $4.5 million.
The Dragons opened discussions with Utoikamanu this week and want the opportunity to sell the club’s vision to the former NSW Origin representative, who this week was granted permission by the Tigers to explore options at rival clubs.
Stefano Utoikamanu showed no signs of being distracted, scoring a powerful try for the Tigers.
The Herald reported earlier this month that the Tigers have tabled Utoikamanu a five-year deal worth $4 million. That sum works out around $100,000 a season less than the Dragons have indicated they would be willing to spend on the player.
A Dragons official confirmed the club’s interest in Utoikamanu when contacted by the Herald on Friday.
The Canberra Raiders have also entered the race for his signature. The Raiders are preparing for life after Josh Papalii and have indicated they would be able to spend more than the Tigers have offered.


Sources with knowledge of the situation, talking on the condition of anonymity, told the Herald the Raiders – like the Dragons – would be willing to spend $900,000 per season to bring Utoikamanu to the nation’s capital.
Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu is in great demand.
The Melbourne Storm have also been keeping tabs on the situation and are preparing to make a play for the 24-year-old. The Bulldogs are exploring other options and aren’t willing to spend top dollar on a front-rower.
A unique clause in Utoikamanu’s contract will see him become a free agent if he didn’t play two State of Origin games this year or the Tigers missed the top eight. Utoikamanu was not selected for the first two Origin games, and the Tigers are only a slim chance of playing finals.
Utoikamanu decided against accepting the Tigers’ offer of an extension and met with chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall last week to inform them of his desire to explore the market at the end of the season.


The Tigers instead gave him permission to begin negotiations immediately, resulting in a conversation between the Dragons and his management.
Utoikamanu has told the club that he enjoys life under Marshall but also harbours a desire to play finals football. The club has been attempting to convince him he can do that in the near future at the Wests Tigers.
The Tigers’ offer, which averages out about $800,000 per year, is less than the $900,000 figure previous chief executive Justin Pascoe indicated the club would be willing to spend to retain the prop.
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I reckon the cocks are just waiting there limp as! Then they will strike, this is all a bullshite play. Stef didn’t go into this without good knowledge he had someone he liked to go too. I think old nick will pounce and make it look like it was a late move. All bullshite it’s a plan, wait and see.
 
lathami said:
I reckon the cocks are just waiting there limp as! Then they will strike, this is all a bullshite play. Stef didn’t go into this without good knowledge he had someone he liked to go too. I think old nick will pounce and make it look like it was a late move. All bullshite it’s a plan, wait and see.
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Yup, at a lower price too.
 
TYGA said:
900k for a prop is too much for the position. It’s a price a battling club can’t pay for a prop. It’s a mutual decision at that price.
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I don’t think that’s the case in 3-5yrs time can see most clubs having a prop on close to that.

Right now most of the top clubs have a prop in a high $$ position cap hold wise if not already 800-900k now.

Storm have NAS, Welch is high as well.
Panthers Fisher
Sharks AFB next season
Roosters JWH, Leniu is not that high
Broncos Haas
Cowboys JT
Dragons want to
Raiders have now will in future
Bulldogs might be exception
Manly cash all in other spots
Knights Saifiti & Thompson will be high price
Souths Arrow is high + Burgess
Warriors AFB this year
Titans no cash to spread
Eels RCG and Paulo
 
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