Stefano Utoikamanu extends until 2025..

[hammertime]

Who does Stefano look upto in the current roster?

Tamou?

If so, that’s a failure.

He needs someone that he can look upto or learn from.

This could have been Finucane, but who else is out there?

Why can't he become that guy that inspires the others?

Be the leader of the pack.

I reckon he's got it in him.

Yeah he has it.

But remember, he’s 21.

Needs another titan with him

Doesn't need to be on the roster, can be cayless or siro. But I don't see the issue with tamou sure, he isn't the player he was, but he's a solid leader and has represented the highest level.

 

[hank37w]

I always said not to get too attached to him, to think of him as a player on loan. Because it was obvious if he becomes a monster, no way will we be able to keep him. He still can’t negotiate for 10 months, so anything can still happen. But the smart money would tell you he’s hanging off to see what other clubs will be offering. And if you look at that objectively, it’s the right thing to do.

Definitely the smart thing to do. He's a chance at origin this year which makes his value go up a decent amount alone

Not to mention certain celebrities from the Roorters getting in his ear while he is in or around the origin camp.

 

[gallagher]

A champion is someone who surpasses all rivals in a sporting contest or competition.
Teddy is the best in his position. He has won NRL competitions State of Origin series and Test matches.
By the very definition of the word he is a champion.
Just because you don’t like him leaving us, doesn’t make this untrue.

Embarrassingly ridiculous to think otherwise. Teddy not a champion 🤣🤣🤣, this place.

 

[BAGNF05]

Who does Stefano look upto in the current roster?

Tamou?

If so, that’s a failure.

He needs someone that he can look upto or learn from.

This could have been Finucane, but who else is out there?

100%. He won’t stay if our message to him is “you’re the man here”. The good sides are full of veteran stars.

 

[Geo]

Isn’t our chairman the major sponsor of the NSW Origin team

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

A champion is someone who surpasses all rivals in a sporting contest or competition.
Teddy is the best in his position. He has won NRL competitions State of Origin series and Test matches.
By the very definition of the word he is a champion.
Just because you don’t like him leaving us, doesn’t make this untrue.

He’s one of the best players in the game I never said he wasn’t and let’s be honest we were all bummed out that he was leaving us but we have accepted it and moved on yes he’s won Origin and represented Australia and won huge honours no denying that but he went to a club that’s known to be successful which I get is appealing but its not like when he left us he went to another struggling club like Dragons or Warriors and won them a premiership he went to one of the most successful clubs and won 2 which is a huge honour for him no doubt but really he just jumped on their bandwagon and went with them if he went elsewhere and won that team a premiership besides Storm or Roosters he would then be considered an ultimate champion yes technically he is a champion by definition since he won a premiership but its an ever bigger one to go to a struggling team and win them a premiership just jumped on the already winning bandwagon and won them another one and won one himself

Wow. Wasn’t he named best player in the competition one of the years the roosters won a premiership. I can’t believe you are saying he’d need to win with a lesser team to be considered a champion. He’s captain of one of the most successful clubs in the league.

 

[bptiger 0]

We have had plenty of chances to sign a marquee players and for one reason or another we have stuffed it .

 

[paper]

@THE_POM What’s the latest?

 

[Glenji95]

A champion is someone who surpasses all rivals in a sporting contest or competition.
Teddy is the best in his position. He has won NRL competitions State of Origin series and Test matches.
By the very definition of the word he is a champion.
Just because you don’t like him leaving us, doesn’t make this untrue.

He’s one of the best players in the game I never said he wasn’t and let’s be honest we were all bummed out that he was leaving us but we have accepted it and moved on yes he’s won Origin and represented Australia and won huge honours no denying that but he went to a club that’s known to be successful which I get is appealing but its not like when he left us he went to another struggling club like Dragons or Warriors and won them a premiership he went to one of the most successful clubs and won 2 which is a huge honour for him no doubt but really he just jumped on their bandwagon and went with them if he went elsewhere and won that team a premiership besides Storm or Roosters he would then be considered an ultimate champion yes technically he is a champion by definition since he won a premiership but its an ever bigger one to go to a struggling team and win them a premiership just jumped on the already winning bandwagon and won them another one and won one himself

Wow. Wasn’t he named best player in the competition one of the years the roosters won a premiership. I can’t believe you are saying he’d need to win with a lesser team to be considered a champion. He’s captain of one of the most successful clubs in the league.

No what I’m saying is while they are huge achievements not taking that away from him he’s one of the best players in the game no denying that heck he was easily our best player when he was with us he went to the club that is known to win a premiership in a 5 year period same with Storm which was his choice and I understand why he went there but everyone expects Storm or Roosters to win they are tipped each year to win just about if Tedesco was still with us and won us a premiership he would be the reason why or if he was at another struggling club and did that for them he would be why they won being at Roosters or Storm the players they have is the reason they keep winning don’t get me wrong he would easily contribute to them winning but Roosters had Cronk, Latrell, Radley etc that helped them win while if he was at a struggling club he alone would be the reason why that struggling club would win so yes he’s still a champion since he and his team won but if he was at a struggling club and won he alone would be why that’s what I’m saying

 

[Glenji95]

We have had plenty of chances to sign a marquee players and for one reason or another we have stuffed it .

To be fair a lot of the previous marquee signings we tried to sign we had different management Sheens coming back was why we managed to sign Korisau and Papali’I maybe its not exactly marquee but it has been better than what we signed in the last few years with the exception of Stefano, Doueihi and possibly Laurie I like him but he’s still learning he’s not in the top 5 Fullbacks yet but he does have the potential to be

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

So he has missed out on being a super dooper champion?
That must hurt him.

Idk...he's a super dooper dee champion in my eyes.

 

[crazycat]

Who does Stefano look upto in the current roster?

Tamou?

If so, that’s a failure.

He needs someone that he can look upto or learn from.

This could have been Finucane, but who else is out there?

Why can't he become that guy that inspires the others?

Be the leader of the pack.

I reckon he's got it in him.

Nope, No nah.nada No

Thats NOT how leadership works.
1. If he had THAT in him we would have seen

Who does Stefano look upto in the current roster?

Tamou?

If so, that’s a failure.

He needs someone that he can look upto or learn from.

This could have been Finucane, but who else is out there?

Why can't he become that guy that inspires the others?

Be the leader of the pack.

I reckon he's got it in him.

No Nada Nope No

That's a NO.

If its in him you would have seen it.
But it aint, Not there! Stef at origin looked to Finucane because hey Finucane was doing the extras. Stef would have thought "your at your peak and you are doing extras...". Now that may change Stef's own mindset but No he wont be leading the pack.

That change may come from Cayless because hey he is a leader. Farah had it in spades!

Now someone like Daine Laurie has it, but we have to foster it. Remember Mitchell Latrells brain spark with Souths. He ends up taking out a former team mate, he showed too much drive! Wayne Bennett did not realise that Latrell was exploding and hey this is WB!

Cronulla taught me a lesson. With Oodles of leadership in the forwards they hire...Leadership! Leadership compounds. You have Gallen, Luke Lewis and a stack of powerful forwards around and they hire Leadership. Leadership can always get better.

 

[crazycat]

Who does Stefano look upto in the current roster?

Tamou?

If so, that’s a failure.

He needs someone that he can look upto or learn from.

This could have been Finucane, but who else is out there?

Why can't he become that guy that inspires the others?

Be the leader of the pack.

I reckon he's got it in him.

Yeah he has it.

But remember, he’s 21.

Needs another titan with him

Doesn't need to be on the roster, can be cayless or siro. But I don't see the issue with tamou sure, he isn't the player he was, but he's a solid leader and has represented the highest level.

100%
I think this is why Packer did not fire and why were not getting the best out of Tamou.

We see X person as bringing Leadership.

player comes here looking for our leaders!

I like what Newcastle did. Hey Tyson you watch people at the Gym and ensure everyone is training HARD! Cronulla had a good thing going with Bayuka pushing Heighington and Lewis to hit the Gym and hit it harder.

 

[Merlot]

who would walk away from a kfc connection

 

[tig_prmz]

The biggest power I believe we hold compared to other clubs is that we can give him that money NOW compared to other clubs who can only give it to him after 2 years.

 

[rustycage]

Apparently a healthy offer and/or upgrade has been in Stefano's hands for a while. That he has not accepted it is just how it is, so no biggie.

Our WT have him for another couple of seasons at a rate commensurate to his experience and expectations, with the November 1 rule and further advantage of upgrading the 2023 deal up it's sleeve. Sit back, relax and hopefully enjoy his footy in the coming months and see how things pan out both injury and form wise.

He might even come back to the club before the season kicks off if he wants any dollars that may be brought forward. The bird in the hand principle.

Yep, don't underestimate the power of mateship. If the club can improve and bonds formed, then some players do like to stick together. Or, for that matter players and clubs. If the tigers are on the up and Stef sees a future he finds appealing, then he'll stick around. And not only that, the passion to win will be there even more so. This is a big season. Not for where we finish, but how we play, compete and improve.

 

[FinestTigers]

End of the day,

We need Stefano more than he needs us.


If our recruitment team was smart, that wouldn’t be the case.
Just offering elite players a salary is why they don’t want to join us.

Precisely, the Tycoons with their secretive TPA's will always get the next elite player on the market long before the weaker clubs who are known to be poor with TPA's.
The salary cap is a mockery.

 

[earl]

The biggest power I believe we hold compared to other clubs is that we can give him that money NOW compared to other clubs who can only give it to him after 2 years.

Agreed.

 

[hank37w]

Trouble is that we could possibly give him a big upgrade for 2 years and then he walks anyway, but that could be the risk he and his manager take.

Lots can happen in the meantime, serious injury, form slump, personal/family issues, some other young guns turn up on the scene that overshadow him etc.

Yes it would be good to give him an upgrade and have him sign for another 4 or 5 years, everything is a risk for all parties and whatever happens is beyond our control so there is no point in getting too upset about it.

 

[batboy]

Trouble is that we could possibly give him a big upgrade for 2 years and then he walks anyway, but that could be the risk he and his manager take.

Lots can happen in the meantime, serious injury, form slump, personal/family issues, some other young guns turn up on the scene that overshadow him etc.

Yes it would be good to give him an upgrade and have him sign for another 4 or 5 years, everything is a risk for all parties and whatever happens is beyond our control so there is no point in getting too upset about it.

Upgrade won't happen without extension...
Signing any player for any time there's always a risk of injury, He's young...
There's no downside.

We have the upper hand, He can get more money immediately... But it will cost him a couple more years (At the same money - But chances he's at a less successful club) - Again, He's still young...

They may be trying to play us, But we certainly have the upper hand at the minute....