Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

they need an upgrade from Hope and the kid ( who probably wouldn’t even be considered for the NRL in 2026)… otherwise it’s a problem…if they weren’t an upgrade to those 2 then they wouldn’t be required in the first place ..because you would just play Hope ..Am I right ? I’m trying to understand..

Lussick who you suggested could be a fit ….but I have no idea if there is interest from either party
Chan Kum Tong, Lussick or Otukolo would be my preferred options, in that order.
 
If it’s obvious to everyone else, maybe it’s correct?
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
 
Last edited:
LOL culture.
Calling everyone bro?
We have no leadership.

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 ?


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.

image.jpg


Play Video


NRL Highlights: Storm v Sharks - Finals Week 3

NRL Highlights: Storm v Sharks - Finals Week 3

Play video
10:42

NRL Highlights: Storm v Sharks - Finals Week 3

'I'm recovering well': Fox gives health update



Melbourne Storm take on the Cronulla Sharks in the Finals Week 3 of the 2025 NRL Premiership at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
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.
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.

Stefano Utoikamanu charges into the Cronulla defence on Friday night.

Stefano Utoikamanu charges into the Cronulla defence on Friday night.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
“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.
“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.”

Stefano Utoikamanu is disappointed by how things ended at Wests Tigers.

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.
 
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.
As a boomer I take offence! LOL!
 
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
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.
 
the team is young - i see them improving, when/ if they want to . Team only needs a few tickles to make it humm.
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.
 
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.
Benji needs all the help he can get
 
Oddly I think Stefano & Papali'i this year prove that the Tigers are getting something right.

And it's because both players had good seasons away from the club.

Let's start with both the players. No way Cleary & Bellamy taught them anything 'new'. "Be more involved & committed" isn't something you teach. It's something you buy into. It's, dare I say it, a club culture. What, if anything, it shows me is that Stefano & Papali'i are not 'leaders' as they were expected to be at the Tigers. They don't drive the standards. They follow the standards set by others. They are good players, playing in good teams, and doing well.

So why does this show me that the Tigers are doing the right thing?

Because the whole drive from Richardson & Marshall is about bringing in leadership, setting standards & having players that want to be here. How many times have we heard about Luai & building a club culture? How many times do we hear how Benji is building a culture of 'family first values' etc?

There was definitely some improvement in 2025. I would say that with Api, Luai & a few others that we are building a club culture. Now it's about having the right players, with the right attitudes, in the club.

Stefano & Papali'i have shown that talented players who need to be driven & caught up in a team culture can actually thrive. Not every player succeeds because you count on them being 'leaders'. I think the Tigers figured it out & actually invested in culture defining players. Now it's getting the rest of the squad mix right.

I'll sit down now.
I think I get it? If we lose a good player because he wants to improve his on field performance at a better managed club, that’s a sign of our success. By that guage the more times that happens the more successful we are. You’ve got me kinda excited about Geyer joining us now that I realise we will ship him back to Penrith a much better player.
 
Sterlo in his day was a champion player, but that was decade’s ago. We need people who have been involved in the game in far more recent times. Of course it might be a gee up to
I’m sceptical that sterlo would get involved with a club other than parra.
Also thought someone said on here a couple of years ago that he doesn’t watch football anymore since his exit from the footy show
 
Back
Top