Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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jirskyr
Well-known member
Roger Fabri is everyone's speed coach, bloke's been around for an age.
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Post of the season.
Labelling people like you do, (germ, coward) is a mutt way to behave.
Think twice about your own advice.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
It’s impossible to engage with someone who counters with ridiculous hypotheticals. Why do you insist on using two of the best coaches of the modern era in response to a conversation about a rookie with no runs on the board. Give you a tip. Neither of those coaches will ever be sacked. They will get the rare chance to walk away on their terms. Something Benji will most likely not have.
Tucker
Well-known member
You seem quite upset.
It’s funny how you attack my opinion, I argue it further, you provide nothing in reply yet comeback with this childish nonsense.
We really need a rule for when you boomers can post.
Tucker
Well-known member
Yep, those players are in most ways attached to the systems and processes set in stone at those clubs, having been developed over many successful years, with proven strategies for premiership glory included.
It’s very different to our situation of setting up a fun culture and hoping the results come off the back of it.
Tucker
Well-known member
If it’s obvious to everyone else, maybe it’s correct?
Chan Kum Tong, Lussick or Otukolo would be my preferred options, in that order.
Not just Benji - all coaches when a team loses. Maguire was criticized consistently for his use of the bench while here - got a bit more to work at the Broncos. Ciraldo has copped it for weeks from the Bulldogs fans, and some of the Sharks fans questioned Fitzgibbon's use of Nikora. It's a thing - we are are all wiser after the fact
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Everything is Elo Bro...
I love this ideology of a 'changing' culture?
The Tigers culture has always been all flash plays and no dirty work,
the fella who made a career out of it is now changing it - I don't see it.
Anyway got the article about what big Stef is saying ?
‘I did my time there’: Utoikamanu says reaching grand final vindicates decision to leave Tigers
Stefano Utoikamanu was sick of ‘winning’ wooden spoons with Wests Tigers. A year after joining the Storm, he’s 80 minutes away from a premiership.www.smh.com.au
Stefano Utoikamanu says reaching his first NRL grand final has vindicated his decision to leave Wests Tigers for the Storm this time last year, a move which had “everyone trashing me on the way out”.
Melbourne’s 22-14 win over Cronulla in Friday night’s preliminary final saw Utoikamanu become the second player to swap a wooden spoon for a place in the NRL decider within 12 months of leaving the Tigers.
Shawn Blore achieved the feat last year, and now Utoikamanu – who has been hailed as the best front-rower in the game during the past couple of months by Storm coach Craig Bellamy – has followed suit.
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NRL Highlights: Storm v Sharks - Finals Week 3
Melbourne Storm take on the Cronulla Sharks in the Finals Week 3 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
Utoikamanu rejected a lucrative offer to stay at the Tigers to join the Storm, having been impressed by Bellamy’s sales pitch, which led to him being booed by home fans one night at Leichhardt Oval. He told this masthead earlier this month that had he stayed in Sydney, he would have joined the Bulldogs.
The NSW representative prop produced one of his best performances in a Melbourne jersey on Friday night, laying the foundation for the Storm’s all-star playmakers to fire them into yet another grand final.
When asked if Tigers fans were entitled to wonder what might have been had Utoikamanu stayed and produced similar football for their club, he said: “I feel like I did my time there; I was there four years and played a lot of footy for them.
“I’m not saying I wasn’t a part of the problem for not winning, I was a part of that team. I feel like it’s something I have to say, that I was there, I tried my best. Us not being successful, I was also a part of the problem.
Stefano Utoikamanu charges into the Cronulla defence on Friday night.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
“Towards the end of the year, I was a bit off it with everyone dragging me down, even though I wore my heart on my sleeve playing for that club.
“To see everyone trash me on the way out, the fans, and the media a bit, it was a shit way to go out. But it’s in the past, I’m here, and next week we get to play in a grand final.
“It’s pretty crazy. I was with ‘Blorey’ at the Tigers, we had some tough times there and it’s good to come out the other side and come to a great club like this.”
Utoikamanu admits he was “jealous” watching another finals series last year from his couch, but knew that joining perennial September specialists Melbourne would boost his chances of tasting play-off action at last.
“This time last year, I was watching from the sidelines, and probably jealous these players were playing in these great games,” Utoikamanu said.
“It’s something I wanted to do. Coming here and being a part of it, it’s pretty mad next week I get to play in one. I’ve played in two finals for two wins, hopefully I can get a third one.”
Bellamy smiled when discussing Utoikamanu after Friday night’s victory: “When he first came here, we did things a bit differently to what he was used to. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but he took a little while to understand what his role was, and how to do his role in this team.
“The last eight to 10 weeks, I don’t think I’ve seen a better front-rower in the competition. He was outstanding and led the way. He’s such a modest guy; he’s a down-to-earth, lovely bloke.”
Utoikamanu was punished for spitting on a wrestling mat during one of his first training sessions, and learnt the hard way what was expected down south.
“I have to give Craig a rap because he’s helped me so much, as have all the coaches,” Utoikamanu said. “The prep they do for us during the week gives me the confidence to go out there and play my best footy.”
Utoikamanu, whose form was rewarded with another call-up to the NSW Origin squad this year, played in a NSW Cup grand final for Wentworthville in 2019, and said the last decider he played in was as a teenager.
He has already pledged his allegiance to Tonga, which will pit him against New Zealand’s Moses Leota and Samoa’s Payne Haas, with that pair to lock horns on Sunday for Penrith and Brisbane respectively.
“It’s something I wanted to do. Coming here and being a part of it, it’s pretty mad next week I get to play in one. I’ve played in two finals for two wins, hopefully I can get a third one.”
Bellamy smiled when discussing Utoikamanu after Friday night’s victory: “When he first came here, we did things a bit differently to what he was used to. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but he took a little while to understand what his role was, and how to do his role in this team.
“The last eight to 10 weeks, I don’t think I’ve seen a better front-rower in the competition. He was outstanding and led the way. He’s such a modest guy; he’s a down-to-earth, lovely bloke.”
Utoikamanu was punished for spitting on a wrestling mat during one of his first training sessions, and learnt the hard way what was expected down south.
“I have to give Craig a rap because he’s helped me so much, as have all the coaches,” Utoikamanu said. “The prep they do for us during the week gives me the confidence to go out there and play my best footy.”
Utoikamanu, whose form was rewarded with another call-up to the NSW Origin squad this year, played in a NSW Cup grand final for Wentworthville in 2019, and said the last decider he played in was as a teenager.
He has already pledged his allegiance to Tonga, which will pit him against New Zealand’s Moses Leota and Samoa’s Payne Haas, with that pair to lock horns on Sunday for Penrith and Brisbane respectively.
tigahhh
Well-known member
terrell may & api have been nominated for a dally m 🥇
The Best and most successful clubs have the best systems and players and are backed by a shitload of money.
I can guarantee there are players in those clubs who call each other "bro" or pray at the end of games and or have dabbled in societal habits that are frowned upon by those who are now the wiser.
I can guarantee there are players in those clubs who call each other "bro" or pray at the end of games and or have dabbled in societal habits that are frowned upon by those who are now the wiser.
rugbygoated
Well-known member
And now you are projecting. It seems you misinterpret calling you out as being overemotional
As a boomer I take offence! LOL!
rugbygoated
Well-known member
I've heard through a close contact that Peter Sterling is touring our facilities and being considered in an attack consultation role at the club. Ryan Hoffman from the Melbourne Storm is another name that keeps getting mentioned
Heard about Hoffman yesterday when working on the wharfs can only be a positive move if it happens.
Buttface
Well-known member
Sterlo? What’s he been up to lately?
He wasn’t in the 2005 side.
HB coach for Benji, It’s never too late.
Latu and the Doobs maybe.
Hoffo coming back home, will no one else take him? Where’s he been coaching at?
Nice to read a post from you that’s not bagging Benji or the club.
Thanks for sharing what you’ve heard.
twentyforty
Well-known member
Yeh, hopefully those young players will improve to a satisfactory level. The only one who gives me confidence is Makasini at this time.
I’m referring more to the telltale signs of improvement in the team. I don’t really regard missing out on the spoon as an achievement or a sign of improvement. 16 of the 17 teams achieve that every year.
We had Titans’ measure, leading on the scoreboard by a winning margin until our bench got a run. Titans beat us 24-0 in the 2nd half.
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