Fortunately for us Stef doesn't want to leave. At least that's what he said earlier this year.
“I’m trying to focus on making the top eight, that’s what I want to do – I want to stay at the Tigers,” Utoikamanu told this masthead.
“I’ve loved every minute I’ve been here. They’ve given me my big...
Yes, and they've lost plenty from their top team too. My point is that those players are NRL ready when they go for an opportunity. They don't leave at 16 because Nathan Cleary is there. Look at Sua Faalogo at the Storm. Happy to resign and play backup when he could walk into a number of teams...
It's funny. Clubs like the Panthers and Storm can have a production line of ready to go NRL standard players, but we have 16 year olds wanting out because their pathway is blocked 🙄
They still look panicked down that side to me. On most occasions they are scrambling well enough but it would be nice to see them a bit more organised.
Saying that, I don't think it's Staines that's the cause. After a couple of scratchy games to start he was solid today.
Of course it does, no one can win on their own. But having Jarome helps too.
With the five-eighth in the side the Panthers have a win rate of 88.5% (77 wins, 9 losses), whilst it drops heavily without him 53.8% (7 wins, 6 losses).