Matt Utai

[tigertye]

Appreciation Thread.

A few years back the Tigers threw an un-contracted former international playing park footy a lifeline. I'm sure many of us never thought this aging winger would give us many strengths at the time, a completely left field signing. Lack of pace, could never jump higher than a coke bottle and I'm sure many of us questioned his ability to fit into a flair filled squad at the time…..But this little bloke made up for it on and off the field.

The "possessed wombat" gave us many brilliant moments and turned out to be a fantastic buy, ducking under the 6 foot plus players to score tries, rampaging at the defensive line, taking 3-4 blokes for another 10 metres with every run and giving it everything him and his minivan-sized legs had whenever called upon. How can you question a player for that? Sure, he wasn't the flashiest or faster winger in the game (at any point) but he made up for it with heart and determination and was always great with the fans.

He also brought us one of the funniest moments ever in the NRL when he lost sight of a bomb and unknowingly took the ball on the head.

We can talk about the Benji's, Heighno's and Beau's moving on and wishing them all the best, so I figured that a quiet achiever who did out colours proud deserves the same from us all with no news of him staying on with us next season.

So good luck Matt, and thanks for the memories.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Snowy]

Great post,
Good luck Matt you gave us some great moments.

 

[stevetiger]

I think he was great for us.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Playing a half of football with a broken arm epitomises his attitude. If only his teammates shared the same attitude.

His between the legs "pass" to Marshall that ended up in a try was priceless also.

Good luck to him wherever he ends up.

 

[madunit]

He'd be better in the back row than Yileen Gordon will ever be.

 

[Tim Sheens]

We all enjoyed his commitment and bullocking charges. The problem was that my heart skipped e beat or two every time a high kick went up.

Rocks and diamonds overall, though not through lack of effort or poor concentration like some others.

 

[happy_tiger]

As someone said ,rocks and diamonds

He had had some very good games for the Tigers and some not so great games as well

My two favourite memories will be the try v Melbourne at Melbourne in 2012 and the falcon from the bomb that Vossy replayed relentlessly , the fact he wasn't even watching the ball was just astounding

If he doesn't get a last minute reprieve from the Tigers , I wish him well

You knew whenever he put the Tigers jersey on he would give a 110% and you can't ask for more than that

 

[Goose]

certainly cant question his effort, that is all you can ask for from a player.

I wish him well.

 

[innsaneink]

Well said tigertye

He was a thorough professional and great clubman by all counts…no matter what grade he was in

 

[Sabre]

Does anyone know what he is doing next year? Definitely would still be worth a spot in NSW Cup.

 

[happy_tiger]

Does anyone know what he is doing next year? Definitely would still be worth a spot in NSW Cup.

Probably just waiting for the Sharks offer Sabre

 

[TurnStyle]

yeh, i really liked utai. reminds me a bit of "Ram Man" from he man too….

good luck matt and thanks for being a great contributor!

 

[Tigersmurf]

Does that make Galloway Beast Man turnstyle?

 

[NT_Tiger]

"Possessed Wombat" I was glad we signed him and enjoyed watching him play, rocks and all, because it was always 100% and full of heart. All the best whichever way you go Matt.

 

[tig_prmz]

We all enjoyed his commitment and bullocking charges. The problem was that my heart skipped e beat or two every time a high kick went up.

Rocks and diamonds overall, though not through lack of effort or poor concentration like some others.

dont think it was rocks and diamonds at all.. everyone knew what we will get from it after his 1st game.

he had always been suspect under the high ball and also his lack of pace..i wouldnt consider that a rock as we all knew that as a deficiency

 

[innsaneink]

His shortcomings were often highlited as he was often the last involved in a try scoring play against us….but all too often in many of those sets, many other players were left found wanting too....ensuring the opposition got themselves into the position to put on an attacking play on our line = scapegoat

 

[Tim Sheens]

I stand by the "rocks" part, especially as his deficiency was always known. He would have been perfect if we were playing under gridiron conditions, as we could take him off in defence.

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

Solid great to watch. Tough nugget. Good luck

 

[LaT]

Utai's liability under the high ball during his stint with us was very much overstated. Yes its a weakness, but people act like he was constantly getting peppered and single handedly costing us games.

 

[Majere77]

Utai's liability under the high ball during his stint with us was very much overstated. Yes its a weakness, but people act like he was constantly getting peppered and single handedly costing us games.

He DID single-handedly cost us games.

I cant believe no one has mentioned his complete inability to tackle??? one of the worst defenders I have ever seen on a football field.

Not to mention his terrible hands, good for a few dropped balls & Knock-ons a game and couple that with the fact he couldn't take a high ball and a few tries were a certainty down his side of the field every game.

Hell it was so obvious he was being targeted in his last few games that the opposition was practically cerebrating as soon as the ball went wide on his side.

I admit he filled a role for us in the first few games he came back but once the other teams worked him out again he was largely ineffective.

Utai is one of those classic confidence players. The second he made a mistake he fell apart.