Stefano Utoikamanu #241

[Dr_Ice]

I started supporting the maggies in 85. We didn't crack the top 11 until Warren Ryan came in the 90s

1978 was the last Minor Premiership for the Magpies

 

[BAGNF05]

If he goes to the dogs it just means his mrs has his nuts in her purse.
If he goes to melbourne then i guess he is following his dream
of playing for a team more likely to play finals footy regulary.

Big purse

 

[Halbrowne61]

Big purse

No, just a change purse, he has hazelnuts.

 

[jirskyr]

Stephano has been on good money for a couple of years now - and I doubt anyone believes he has given good value for those $$$. He was offered a huge contract - far above his real value and he rejected it. He doesn't want to be here. He won't get the $$$ anywhere else that we have offered. So Richo is quite right when he says he only wants players who are invested in the fight to get this club moving upwards. Steph isn't that player. So I'm quite comfortable with Richo's comment. Steph is taking an easier path. Says it all really. Imagine JWH doing similar? Not on your life. That guy just loves the contest. Steph doesn't. He will never be the alpha prop.

Here's the issue: whilst I can understand any given player wanting to play in a better team and win more, potentially get more rep honours etc, if that is what every player did then we wouldn't have a competition.

Most teams that have a lean period, have that lean period for several years. Most teams do not yo-yo in and out of the finals. So if every player gave it 3 years then gave up, teams on the bottom would struggle even more to compete.

Obviously Tigers are different because we've been out of the finals for over 10 years, but Stefano has only been here for 4 years, and in that first year he was a rookie. He's only really been battling on for a year or so, and torpedoed his own form this year with the ongoing contract drama.

 

[jirskyr]

Tigers fans are some of the most passionate in the league, so it’ll be interesting to see and hear how they react when Utoikamanu takes the field on Thursday as they look to pick up a crucial win over the Cowboys as they fight to avoid the spoon.
“Who knows (how they’ll react)? That’s up to them and you can’t control what people will say and think,” Faataape replied when asked if the fans will boo given they’ve lost another star who will likely thrive at another club.
“That’s the last thing on Stef’s mind, but he knows we’re all around him and backing him, and that’s the most important thing.
“Tigers fans are really loyal and passionate and you can’t take that away from them. Whatever happens, happens.”

Crowd will 105% boo on Thursday.

 

[BAGNF05]

Here's the issue: whilst I can understand any given player wanting to play in a better team and win more, potentially get more rep honours etc, if that is what every player did then we wouldn't have a competition.

Most teams that have a lean period, have that lean period for several years. Most teams do not yo-yo in and out of the finals. So if every player gave it 3 years then gave up, teams on the bottom would struggle even more to compete.

Obviously Tigers are different because we've been out of the finals for over 10 years, but Stefano has only been here for 4 years, and in that first year he was a rookie. He's only really been battling on for a year or so, and torpedoed his own form this year with the ongoing contract drama.

The top four is quite predictable year on year these days, well three of them anyway. Nobody will address the issue until Nick & News don’t run the game.

 

[PrattenParkMagpie]

I started supporting the maggies in 85. We didn't crack the top 11 until Warren Ryan came in the 90s

So you missed out on 84, that was the tough year for Magpie fans, 1 win was not a lot to cheer about.

 

[tiger_one]

1978 was the last Minor Premiership for the Magpies

Wests were premiers in '52. 😉

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Crowd will 105% boo on Thursday.

And when he plays against us next season especially if the game is at LO.

 

[Kaito]

If he goes to the dogs it just means his mrs has his nuts in her purse.
If he goes to melbourne then i guess he is following his dream
of playing for a team more likely to play finals footy regulary.

Been saying this for weeks well said, his decision
will say a lot. Tigers, Panthers & Bulldogs are going
to have some of the biggest grudge matches in the
league moving forward. Western Sydney showdowns!

 

[Winston Churchill]

If he goes to the dogs it just means his mrs has his nuts in her purse.
If he goes to melbourne then i guess he is following his dream
of playing for a team more likely to play finals footy regulary.

World's smallest purse

 

[Speed2burn]

manly will be the team to make a charge at the GF this year

Nah defense is too weak … 1st or 2nd week exits imo

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

Crowd will 105% boo on Thursday.

A couple of "pillow" signs on the Hill would look great

 

[eyewondertoo]

Wests won the club premiership in 92 and were set to thrive then the super league fiasco torpedoed all of that.

 

[Kelce68]

Crowd will 105% boo on Thursday.

Good.

 

[Needaname]

No decision? Gota be holding out for Penrith to make room!

 

[liltiger]

No decision? Gota be holding out for Penrith to make room!

To'o come on down.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Better Stef signs with Bulldogs. Listen to his wife. Family first over career. I mean if you had a choice Bellamy or Ciraldo at his stage of his career. Who would you choose?? To be the best you can be.

 

[mtd#2]

Better Stef signs with Bulldogs. Listen to his wife. Family first over career. I mean if you had a choice Bellamy or Ciraldo at his stage of his career. Who would you choose?? To be the best you can be.

I dont mind where he signs, it would just be sooooooooo funny if we ended up winning a premiership before he did... like the absolute best haha

 

[hank37w]

A couple of "pillow" signs on the Hill would look great

If you're on the hill, bring a pillow to sit on.