BAGNF05
Well-known member
Enjoy winning losers 🤣
Stefano Utoikamanu #241
- Thread starter Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan
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426Tlgerland
Well-known member
He gets a chance to show his potential new coach ( Belly ) what he has got this weekend , when we beat Melbourne at LO. Upset of the round by 8. , Stef to have a cracker and over power storm pack , Sam F to show Blore he was in fact replaceable
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
I’d love to think you’re right. If we could beat the Storm it would be our best win in the last 5 years, or even more.
I try to keep it real but would love to see it. Hopefully the coach, players LO crowd and anything else we can get, align on Sat.
Let’s all dare to dream this week !
426Tlgerland
Well-known member
We will win , we will come out firing I feel , specially after last game we were off , now it’s time to hit back , Tigers by 8
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
NRL 2024: Dragons out of race for Wests Tigers star Stefano Utoikamanu, Storm and Raiders remain in pursuit
St George Illawarra have made the strategic decision to withdraw their interest in pursuing talented Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.David Riccio and Brent Read
July 4, 2024 - 2:07PM
News Sport Network
St George Illawarra have made the strategic decision to withdraw their interest in pursuing talented Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.
The omission of the Dragons from the negotiation table will increase the hopes of rival clubs the Storm and Raiders, who are planning to meet with 24-year-old.
Wests Tigers also haven’t ruled out retaining Utoikamanu.
After assessing the market and their own salary cap, St George Illawarra opted against tabling an offer or asking to meet the powerful prop.
“There’s no denying Stefano is a wonderful talent, but so that we don’t waste anyone’s time we’ve opted to turn our focus elsewhere both internally and externally,’’ Dragons coach Shane Flanagan told this masthead.
Utoikamanu has been given permission by the Tigers to explore his options on the open market as he contemplates a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The Tigers have tabled a five-year contract extension worth $4 million, but Utoikamanu has privately indicated his desire to test the market is less about money and more about being at a club that can offer him an opportunity to compete for a title.
Given their history of sustained success, it’s anticipated that the Melbourne Storm are arguably the greatest threat to the Wests Tigers’ hopes of keeping Utoikamanu.
The Storm and Raiders are prepared to table Stefano Utoikamanu handsome offers. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
In preparation for the likely retirement of club champion Josh Papalii at the end of 2025, the Raiders are eager to table a major offer - believed to be around $1 million per-season - for Utoikamanu.
The Bulldogs are also monitoring Utoikamanu’s situation but it is understood they are not interested in entering a bidding war for the 24-year-old and already have Tom Amone joining them next season from Super League.
The Dolphins are the other club believed to be keeping a close eye on Utoikamanu as they prepare for the retirement of Jesse Bromwich and deal with uncertainty over the playing future of Tom Flagler.
The Storm, however, are one of the few legitimate competition heavyweights who have expressed an interest in Utoikamanu, having wasted no time reaching out to his management when they were informed he was up for grabs.
There is a belief in Melbourne that they are a middle forward short and while their cap is tight, the club believes it can move some pieces and make a play for Utoikamanu.
Their interest comes as a cloud remains over the future of powerful front rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona - the Tigers have explored his availability as a contingency plan if Utoikamanu decides he wants a change of scene.
Asofa-Solomona is believed to be reluctant to leave Melbourne for another NRL club, but he has a rugby union background and was close to switching codes before signing his latest deal with the Storm.
At the time, he had offers on the table from overseas rugby union clubs but opted to sign a long-term extension with Melbourne.
However he has spent a large part of this season coming off the interchange bench amid suggestions he is struggling to keep the faith of each Craig Bellamy.
While Melbourne have signalled they will make a play for Utoikamanu, it is understood the other heavyweights of the NRL - Penrith, the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane - have indicated they will not be involved in the clamour for his signature.
The Sharks are also out of the picture, having already strengthened their front row stocks for next season with the signing of Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
It leaves the Storm in the box seat to sign Utoikamanu, provided they can convince him and his partner to pack up their life and move to Melbourne.
Last edited by a moderator:
I honestly think Ute is coping to much from the fanbase over this decision. Imagine the difference in playing in a big time forward pack. He is always criticised for his run meters. however we have zero forwards outside of him who actually get us on the front foot. most of our forwards end up on their backs forcing slow play the balls into a set defensive line. Imagine the Ute getting the ball on the front foot with a team on the backfoot. It just never happens for us. Added to that we have zero oomph from our back 5 making his distance traveled and his work load greater again.
Im not saying he is faultless but hooley dooley we don't make it easy for him.
Im not saying he is faultless but hooley dooley we don't make it easy for him.
OzLuke
Well-known member
Maybe he will find he isn't as valuable as he think he is....
60m vs Roosters?? Perfect time to stand up but he was a squid....
60m vs Roosters?? Perfect time to stand up but he was a squid....
OzLuke
Well-known member
If he wants big cash he needs to be a leader....
RonDingo
Well-known member
25 minutes with still more output than Stef.
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
If Canberra are going to offer him a mill plus they can have him.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
St George pulling out helps the Tigers retain him…if there aren’t any undisclosed Sydney bidders…
Having a hard time seeing him leave Sydney
Having a hard time seeing him leave Sydney
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
If he did go elsewhere, I'd want it to be the Storm as we'll have a better chance of landing a decent replacement. Either NAS or Kamakimica would have to agree to a release.
WestsEffTheRest
Well-known member
It depends. Canberras offer blows ours out of the water & most likely Melbourne too. I see Melbourne offering him 750k a season max. It's a strange one though. He wouldn't even be the best prop at Canberra yet he'd be getting paid the most Lol.
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
Can I please report this Snidest. The attachment.
Don't know about that he made plenty of metres agianst cronulla and raiders both big packs. If he has a crack he can make meter's and inspire the rest. I think that's what most are trying to say.
I can see why you could think that. However Pole gets us on the front foot more than Stef. What you may be remembering is the 1 in 5 odd games where Stef has a capital S at the beginning of his name.
Stef is a stronger defender than Pole, but once again not as strong in defence as Klem or other top end props.
The is no way that any fan can say that Stef is currently an $0.8m pa prop. He is a $0.4m prop 4 out of 5 weeks. Then a $1m prop the other week.
Melb make sense as Bellamy is the most likely candidate to get him change him from a 1/5 week prop to a 4/5 week prop. Plus, they will only offer him $0.6m because he gets to challenge for title vs all other options
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
2 games? Wonderful. What about the crest?
AmericanHistoryX
Well-known member
Pole plays with heart.
But, but! What happened to the 900K per year offer? Or are you telling me that was made up.. Who would make up stories like that..NRL 2024: Dragons out of race for Wests Tigers star Stefano Utoikamanu, Storm and Raiders remain in pursuit
St George Illawarra have made the strategic decision to withdraw their interest in pursuing talented Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu. See which clubs remain in contention for the rep star.
David Riccio and Brent Read
2 min read
July 4, 2024 - 2:07PM
News Sport Network
St George Illawarra have made the strategic decision to withdraw their interest in pursuing talented Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.
The omission of the Dragons from the negotiation table will increase the hopes of rival clubs the Storm and Raiders, who are planning to meet with 24-year-old.
Wests Tigers also haven’t ruled out retaining Utoikamanu.
After assessing the market and their own salary cap, St George Illawarra opted against tabling an offer or asking to meet the powerful prop.
“There’s no denying Stefano is a wonderful talent, but so that we don’t waste anyone’s time we’ve opted to turn our focus elsewhere both internally and externally,’’ Dragons coach Shane Flanagan told this masthead.
Utoikamanu has been given permission by the Tigers to explore his options on the open market as he contemplates a move away from the club at the end of the season.
The Tigers have tabled a five-year contract extension worth $4 million, but Utoikamanu has privately indicated his desire to test the market is less about money and more about being at a club that can offer him an opportunity to compete for a title.
Given their history of sustained success, it’s anticipated that the Melbourne Storm are arguably the greatest threat to the Wests Tigers’ hopes of keeping Utoikamanu.
The Storm and Raiders are prepared to table Stefano Utoikamanu handsome offers. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
In preparation for the likely retirement of club champion Josh Papalii at the end of 2025, the Raiders are eager to table a major offer - believed to be around $1 million per-season - for Utoikamanu.
The Bulldogs are also monitoring Utoikamanu’s situation but it is understood they are not interested in entering a bidding war for the 24-year-old and already have Tom Amone joining them next season from Super League.
The Dolphins are the other club believed to be keeping a close eye on Utoikamanu as they prepare for the retirement of Jesse Bromwich and deal with uncertainty over the playing future of Tom Flagler.
The Storm, however, are one of the few legitimate competition heavyweights who have expressed an interest in Utoikamanu, having wasted no time reaching out to his management when they were informed he was up for grabs.
There is a belief in Melbourne that they are a middle forward short and while their cap is tight, the club believes it can move some pieces and make a play for Utoikamanu.
Their interest comes as a cloud remains over the future of powerful front rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona - the Tigers have explored his availability as a contingency plan if Utoikamanu decides he wants a change of scene.
Asofa-Solomona is believed to be reluctant to leave Melbourne for another NRL club, but he has a rugby union background and was close to switching codes before signing his latest deal with the Storm.
At the time, he had offers on the table from overseas rugby union clubs but opted to sign a long-term extension with Melbourne.
However he has spent a large part of this season coming off the interchange bench amid suggestions he is struggling to keep the faith of each Craig Bellamy.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will pursue other avenues. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
While Melbourne have signalled they will make a play for Utoikamanu, it is understood the other heavyweights of the NRL - Penrith, the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane - have indicated they will not be involved in the clamour for his signature.
The Sharks are also out of the picture, having already strengthened their front row stocks for next season with the signing of Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
It leaves the Storm in the box seat to sign Utoikamanu, provided they can convince him and his partner to pack up their life and move to Melbourne.
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