Stefano Utoikamanu #241

[Tom Shines]

Sounds like the bulldogs might have him.

why not ..he has been linked to 8 other clubs … one of them is going to be right

 

[Tcat]

Based on what?
Luai is on a long term deal.
If Stef leaves good on him, he is doing it on his own accord.

The guys on 360 tonight are just dissing the tigers. They are claiming we are going to be bottom of the table for 5-7 years.

Truth hurts. We suck and they are probably right. I do hope they are wrong but the clubs given me nothing to feel confident about. (Even with the signing of Luai). He still needs a decent team around him which we definitely don't/won't have.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Based on what?
Luai is on a long term deal.
If Stef leaves good on him, he is doing it on his own accord.

The guys on 360 tonight are just dissing the tigers. They are claiming we are going to be bottom of the table for 5-7 years.

Do you disagree with them?

We have lost Papa, Stefano and Bateman with zero forwards replacing them.

We continue to do the same old same old. Buy players in x position and weaken y position.

Luai coming will do squat if we don’t have forwards or backs.

Its great to have cash but sucks when their isn’t a market to spend it on & other clubs above us has about the same amount of cash to spend

 

[stephen]

He wasn't one of ours, he wasn't English, but Brian Carney for the Knights was one of the highly professional wingers from the ESL. He wasn't a giant at 5ft 10inch but they are tough from Ireland. He is an example that you don't have to be a giant to succeed on the wing in the NRL.

Going back a bit but Kerry Boustead went alright & he was no giant.

 

[weststigerman]

It’s very hard to argue that we won’t be on the bottom for the next few years.

Luai will help but we’re likely losing 2 of our key forwards for next year and I don’t see our good young players sticking around unless they have no other options.

 

[Droppy05]

Do you disagree with them?

We have lost Papa, Stefano and Bateman with zero forwards replacing them.

We continue to do the same old same old. Buy players in x position and weaken y position.

Luai coming will do squat if we don’t have forwards or backs.

Its great to have cash but sucks when their isn’t a market to spend it on & other clubs above us has about the same amount of cash to spend

100% they were. They also said Stefano is our best player & blamed the Tigers for Papalii’s bad form. Do they even watch our games?

We won't attrak any decent players with this coach. Even Robbie has bailed and probably Morris will follow.

 

[Sco77y]

We won't attrak any decent players with this coach. Even Robbie has bailed and probably Morris will follow.

I don’t think Robbie bailed. The club just seems to have decided not to re-sign him. Morris.. Oh well, if he’s the one taking care of our defence then good.

 

[426Tlgerland]

Stef to Melbourne 3 years at $ 900 k I can’t see but it is what it is if true

 

[Telltails]

Someone remind how the salary cap works really well to keep it an even competition.

 

[Sco77y]

Stef to Melbourne 3 years at $ 900 k I can’t see but it is what it is if true

Yeah I couldn’t believe 900K or even 800 to match our alleged offer. Storm don’t seem to pay much for potential, and no one could honestly say Stef is a 900K player based on his performances right now.

 

[Squater]

To Bateman's defence in the games i have been to at Leichhardt he is a clear standout leader with Api. He is one of the only players that is barking orders to the others and is a motivator. Even after a couple tries Melbourne scored in a row he was trying to pump everyone up still.

Whilst his playing ability has declined i do think his value is with his experience and leadership capabilities.

Make him the water boy then much cheaper

 

[Moh]

Been very clear I rate Stef and want him to stay, but man if he leaves hes going to be under huge pressure.

Bad games at the big clubs don't go unnoticed for too long.

We're going to miss him badly, most of you will realise this when he's gone. Just like how most of you thought Talau was crap.

 

[Kelce68]

What a cat.

 

[bigsiro]

Yeah I couldn’t believe 900K or even 800 to match our alleged offer. Storm don’t seem to pay much for potential, and no one could honestly say Stef is a 900K player based on his performances right now.

Agreed.
I don't like entering debates about price tags, but right now I also don't get how Stef can command top dollar. He is not top tier.
Even most second tier players are more consistent and proven, like Barnett, Flegler, Collins, Leniu, Leota, Pangai Jr, Tapine etc.
The money being touted is thus on potential. Sadly, we haven't been able to properly unearth that. You can bet Melbourne will.

I note that Stef has had some strong periods, but he has been very patchy and honestly not improved this season.
People say his head hasn't been in it because he has had one foot out the door. If that is true, I absolutely resent that attitude.
If it's not true, then he has simply been an inconsistent performer.

I won't sit here and deny that he will definitely be a loss. Maybe the above is just me attempting to rationalise how it's not the body blow the media are making it out to be.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Agreed.
I don't like entering debates about price tags, but right now I also don't get how Stef can command top dollar. He is not top tier.
Even most second tier players are more consistent and proven, like Barnett, Flegler, Collins, Leniu, Leota, Pangai Jr, Tapine etc.
The money being touted is thus on potential. Sadly, we haven't been able to properly unearth that. You can bet Melbourne will.

I note that Stef has had some strong periods, but he has been very patchy and honestly not improved this season.
People say his head hasn't been in it because he has had one foot out the door. If that is true, I absolutely resent that attitude.
If it's not true, then he has simply been an inconsistent performer.

I won't sit here and deny that he will definitely be a loss. Maybe the above is just me rationalising how it's not the body blow the media are making it out to be.

Bellamy will turn him into a rep player in one or two seasons. He’ll run harder, tackle stronger and learn to be a ball player.
Our coaching team just can’t develop players like that. And it’s not just Benji, several have tried and failed.

 

[Buttface]

I can’t believe storm were hoodwinked into paying $900k for a mighty boy?
You would think they would get away with paying under us.

 

[Halbrowne61]

I can’t believe storm were hoodwinked into paying $900k for a mighty boy?
You would think they would get away with paying under us.

I think that was the only way he would consider a move to Bleak City.

 

[Fish88]

Bellamy will make him a 900k player

 

[Buttface]

I think that was the only way he would consider a move to Bleak City.

Don’t you (or didn’t) you live in Melb. ?

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Goodbye Stephanie….Bellyache will only have him for 2025…then who is his coach…he has shown he doesn’t have the mental fortitude required to be a top notch prop over the last month