Stefano Utoikamanu #241

[Kaito]

Except he is honouring his contract

Yeah, well that's clearly not what I meant to say
in the first place but thank you, you're right boon.
They'll be upset he didn't re-sign with us though.
He'll get booed on live free to air TV by the home
crowed if benji starts him. Don't think he will haha

 

[Kelce68]

I agree and I think ESPECIALLY given the recent form of guys like Sam and Sione Fainu, Rueben Porter etc. Guys who are no-frills but are enthusiastic, play with energy and don't appear to have hit their ceiling.

I think Sione Fainu is an interesting case study, because he's already 23 and he's been on the books for a few years, so we have clearly put the effort in with him. And now in 2024 he's not only played pretty well, but scored 2 tries from almost standing starts, the kind of explosive power and tenacity that players like Klemmer and Stefano just don't have. It can't be as simple as "well his brothers are here now".

There are comments in the Benji thread about how players are not improving. But I disagree, I think some players are definitely improving and that is almost entirely centred around the juniors. I don't have an explanation for why, why most of our senior players (Api excluded) are simply not performing anywhere near the level required. I would consider it entirely reasonable to expect that senior players perform to a certain level without having to be specifically coached, and then part of your focus is bringing the juniors up to scratch.

Like my 3 kids - two of them are old enough to feed themselves, shower themselves... I'm not supposed to have to follow them around the house reminding them to wipe their arses and wash their hands. I'm supposed to be focusing on the little one. BUT if the "experienced" kids aren't behaving to the level their age would presuppose, then of course the whole shebang goes to hell.

Good post.

Far too many tropes and 'accepted truths' are spouted re; this club, particularly with over-generalised statements (I'm not immune from this at times either).

'Players regress under Benji' as some people like to remark, is a collective statement that may have some truth to it, but misses, as you said, players like Sione, Samuela, Pole, Galvin, Porter, Da Silva, etc. and the likes, who were either unknowns and have exceeded expectation (even if to a small degree), or have seen better years this year and improvement in their game.

It also neglects to mention that every year, at every club, players improve and players regress.

 

[mtd#2]

No way you start him in front of a parochial crowd
3 days after saying he's not going to honor his contract.
Don't know what I would do with him 4 the rest of
the year tbh. We should have given him a week off
like Ivan gave Turuva, some say even set a deadline.
Something tells me richo/benji were monitoring
and weighing up the situation closely as well as
his performances 4 us even b4 origin and made a
decision 2 not force his hand 4 whatever reason.
They've come out on top optics wise, at least with
the fans, you would think this is another hammer
blow 4 the club but that's not the vibe I'm getting at all

honestly i have no sympathy for him. whatever he gets (obviously not malicious) I'm happy for him to cop!

 

[weststigers]

I agree and I think ESPECIALLY given the recent form of guys like Sam and Sione Fainu, Rueben Porter etc. Guys who are no-frills but are enthusiastic, play with energy and don't appear to have hit their ceiling.

I think Sione Fainu is an interesting case study, because he's already 23 and he's been on the books for a few years, so we have clearly put the effort in with him. And now in 2024 he's not only played pretty well, but scored 2 tries from almost standing starts, the kind of explosive power and tenacity that players like Klemmer and Stefano just don't have. It can't be as simple as "well his brothers are here now".

There are comments in the Benji thread about how players are not improving. But I disagree, I think some players are definitely improving and that is almost entirely centred around the juniors. I don't have an explanation for why, why most of our senior players (Api excluded) are simply not performing anywhere near the level required. I would consider it entirely reasonable to expect that senior players perform to a certain level without having to be specifically coached, and then part of your focus is bringing the juniors up to scratch.

Like my 3 kids - two of them are old enough to feed themselves, shower themselves... I'm not supposed to have to follow them around the house reminding them to wipe their arses and wash their hands. I'm supposed to be focusing on the little one. BUT if the "experienced" kids aren't behaving to the level their age would presuppose, then of course the whole shebang goes to hell.

Pole and Sione Fainu up front have done a great job. for Stefs money we can hopefully get one or 2 more of these types and we would have done well.

If Bateman does leave, that will free up some cash too. At that point, we could be looking at a decent pack for 2025 if we can add 3-4 consistent NRL players. Not a lot off contract this year, but plenty off contract next year. We may have to wait another season...book a gap year perhaps

 

[Tito Santana]

Pole and Sione Fainu up front have done a great job. for Stefs money we can hopefully get one or 2 more of these types and we would have done well.

If Bateman does leave, that will free up some cash too. At that point, we could be looking at a decent pack for 2025 if we can add 3-4 consistent NRL players. Not a lot off contract this year, but plenty off contract next year. We may have to wait another season...book a gap year perhaps

Bateman isn’t.l coming back mate

 

[Tucker]

At that point, we could be looking at a decent pack for 2025 if we can add 3-4 consistent NRL players.

To be fair, that could be said of all 17 teams.

 

[Kelce68]

Yeah, well that's clearly not what I meant to say
in the first place but thank you, you're right boon.
They'll be upset he didn't re-sign with us though.
He'll get booed on live free to air TV by the home
crowed if benji starts him. Don't think he will haha

I hope he does and I hope the crowd obliterate him.

There are ramifications for our decisions and the fan base have every right to feel slighted and betrayed by his decision. He was supposed to be one of the ships that we all sailed back to some form of success on. I hope it's vindictive and vitriolic. Too many people are protected from the real-world implications of their decisions these days. Give him both (metaphorical) barrels.

I don't particularly think he'll care though, he checked out months ago.

 

[weststigers]

To be fair, that could be said of all 17 teams.

If you think that Penrith, Melbourne, Easts etc. need 3-4 more consistent first grade forwards in their already stacked teams, then what can I say? Fair enough

 

[Needaname]

Good! But we now have a war chest with too much money and no one good to sign, with no spaces in our top 30. Yikes

1 space

 

[weststigers]

I hope he does and I hope the crowd obliterate him.

There are ramifications for our decisions and the fan base have every right to feel slighted and betrayed by his decision. He was supposed to be one of the ships that we all sailed back to some form of success on. I hope it's vindictive and vitriolic. Too many people are protected from the real-world implications of their decisions these days. Give him both (metaphorical) barrels.

I don't particularly think he'll care though, he checked out months ago.

He has been terrible...I don't think anyone is going to care.

 

[weststigers]

Bateman isn’t.l coming back mate

Good...I don't want him back, but ntil it's official, I persist with "if".

I'd say the club can't really go out and spend his money until everything is final.

 

[Tucker]

If you think that Penrith, Melbourne, Easts etc. need 3-4 more consistent first grade forwards in their already stacked teams, then what can I say? Fair enough

Those teams always lose good forwards..pretty much every year.
If we are only replacing what we are losing, we arent improving the situation. Our greatest weakness is not the strongest 17. Its the other 13 that need to be called upon.

 

[Needaname]

I think Richo gave him a deadline as it's strange it comes out already.

Great news and we can focus on other players now.

Extend Pole should be the first thing

He would have had to notify the club at some stage about whether he was taking his option for 25 let alone the multi year extension. I’d say we’ll find out who he ends up with by the end of the week.

 

[tig_prmz]

I'm honestly surprised by a lot of reactions here.

 

[Needaname]

The sharks mill for AFB is looking pretty good right now.

Yes for the Sharks. Not sure 1.2m would of been good for us.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

People don't hate Stefano.

People are tired of an experienced player and a pack leader shirking his responsibility in the side, then taking the first train out of town.

It's not Stef making desperate cover tackles in defence or chasing kicks in the 78th minute.

It's young players like Galvin, Samuela and Pole.

If Stef had half the desperation during his time here, Tigers' fans would have nothing but adoration for him.

Easy option on the field, now easy option off the field.

Too right, and I'm sure Stefano or someone close to him is scouring this forum reading the feedback from WT fans on his depature..I hope they read your post and pass it on to him...not that he cares!.

 

[Kaito]

To be fair, that could be said of all 17 teams.

I was waiting on your take on this situation

 

[TonyTiger]

Should we play him in KOE cup the rest of the year?...I think so, we have nothing to lose and it will send a stern message to the other players who may be thinking of quitting too....Yep, Stefano will and should be remembered as a quitter....

We should get a rebate - he hasn’t put-in all season

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Get ready for the Tigers bashing on NRL 360 tonight!....put your house on it...they "so called hosts" will be scathing!

 

[weststigers]

Those teams always lose good forwards..pretty much every year.
If we are only replacing what we are losing, we arent improving the situation. Our greatest weakness is not the strongest 17. Its the other 13 that need to be called upon.

I don't disagree, but 3-4 added forwards for us is replacing Bateman and Stef + adding 1 or 2 more. I don't think we have more spots available outside of that at this stage.