Stefano Utoikamanu named 2021 Rookie of the Year

[bathursttiger1]

I think the whole squad knows that this season is cooked so why bother busting your guts.

 

[Earl]

Any ideas as to why this guy has fallen so far short of expectations?

The expectations were too high. That is the no 1 issue. It was so obvious he was overrated when peeps were stating sign him up on anything he wants.

He wasn't bad last week. Him and Musgrove are the only two guys we have who can dent the line. Stef is better than Musgrove.

As others have stated he has had some injury concerns as well.

I'd also add that he is a big guy who I think needs consistent footy to get into his groove.

He'll be fine but he isn't Hass or Taumolo.

 

[balmain boy]

He got injured.

Now he's working up his fitness levels and confidence in his body. it happens.

He was good when on the field last week.

 

[Glenji95]

I think we won’t see the Stefano of last year until next year.

 

[old_man_tiger]

The expectations were too high. That is the no 1 issue. It was so obvious he was overrated when peeps were stating sign him up on anything he wants.

He wasn't bad last week. Him and Musgrove are the only two guys we have who can dent the line. Stef is better than Musgrove.

As others have stated he has had some injury concerns as well.

I'd also add that he is a big guy who I think needs consistent footy to get into his groove.

He'll be fine but he isn't Hass or Taumolo.

Agree, improved last week, no concern here just a mix of injury, lack of match fitness and ye olde second year syndrome.

 

[Stevec]

Just like Hastings he’s caught Wests Tigeritis.

Players just get worse when they get here.

Watch how good Leilua looks in a month from now.

A while ago I started a thread citing that players that were good elsewhere come to tigers and flop and vice versa players ordinary at tigers go elsewhere and improve significantly. Called it coaching and retention and the examples keep growing

 

[Telltails]

A while ago I started a thread citing that players that were good elsewhere come to tigers and flop and vice versa players ordinary at tigers go elsewhere and improve significantly. Called it coaching and retention and the examples keep growing

Paid well for no accountabilty and all pressure on the coach. The exact opposite of what happens at successful clubs.

 

[Earl]

Agree, improved last week, no concern here just a mix of injury, lack of match fitness and ye olde second year syndrome.

It's not a big deal right.

 

[weststigerman]

A while ago I started a thread citing that players that were good elsewhere come to tigers and flop and vice versa players ordinary at tigers go elsewhere and improve significantly. Called it coaching and retention and the examples keep growing

Agree. Although I don’t know if it’s just coaching and retention.

Senior players set the standards and our senior players are Nofa and Brooks. I don’t remember this being so prevalent when Farah was captaining the club.

This is why I wanted us to sign the likes of Finucane. Hopefully Koroisau helps with this but he’s only one guy.

 

[old_man_tiger]

It's not a big deal right.

We're all on edge, I catch myself thinking a lot of irrational things regarding this team.

 

[stryker 69]

He has no mentor at this club. No one to help him prepare, play and recover from a game as a prop. I thought Tamou would provide this but he obviously either doesn’t, or can’t impart trade secrets well enough. Raw talent only gets you so far and for a bloke playing in the toughest position on the field, he is screaming for help.
I’ve seen posters claim we will build our pack around him next year. He ain’t ready for leadership by a long mile.
We need to sign two 5+ year NRL veteran props for next year, with one hopefully an international, who can take him under their wings and bring him on.
Failure to do so will see another shit year from him.

 

[Earl]

He has no mentor at this club. No one to help him prepare, play and recover from a game as a prop.

No offense but if he needs someone to teach him how to tie his boots he is useless.

He will be fine.

 

[stryker 69]

No offense but if he needs someone to teach him how to tie his boots he is useless.

He will be fine.

It’s not about that.
Props take years to develop in first grade. He needs experience beside him to show him the way. From reports his eyes were opened wide during that origin camp last year. He needs more of the same.

 

[TrueTiger]

Just like Hastings he’s caught Wests Tigeritis.

Players just get worse when they get here.

Watch how good Leilua looks in a month from now.

Luci looked good last week off the bench for the Cows....Hastings is carrying a foot injury and before you critique me,if Hastings wasnt in the last few games the for and against would be reaching a negative 500...!!!

 

[Earl]

It’s not about that.
Props take years to develop in first grade. He needs experience beside him to show him the way. From reports his eyes were opened wide during that origin camp last year. He needs more of the same.

I think he just needs some quality players around him. Stef will come good though.

 

[weststigerman]

Luci looked good last week off the bench for the Cows....Hastings is carrying a foot injury and before you critique me,if Hastings wasnt in the last few games the for and against would be reaching a negative 500...!!!

I’m a Hastings fan, I think his injury is hampering him and he gets a pass from me for being MOM in our only 3 wins.

However, if the squad keeps getting destroyed he may never be cured from Wests Tigeritis and suffer the same fate as Brooks.

 

[BAGNF05]

Played 22 mins made 21 tackles. Working up to full fitness. This guy is someone to build a team around, no doubt. A 21yo prop won’t win you a game though, still needs quality teammates.

 

[stryker 69]

I think he just needs some quality players around him. Stef will come good though.

It’s not just quality, it’s professionalism.
He fell off a cliff this year and no one helped him.
At this point of time, he is a waste on our roster.

 

[stryker 69]

Played 22 mins made 21 tackles. Working up to full fitness. This guy is someone to build a team around, no doubt. A 21yo prop won’t win you a game though, still needs quality teammates.

We need him to make meters. Everyone bitching about the spine forgets that they constantly get the ball on the back foot as the hard work is not being done with the ball up front.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

He has no mentor at this club. No one to help him prepare, play and recover from a game as a prop. I thought Tamou would provide this but he obviously either doesn’t, or can’t impart trade secrets well enough. Raw talent only gets you so far and for a bloke playing in the toughest position on the field, he is screaming for help.
I’ve seen posters claim we will build our pack around him next year. He ain’t ready for leadership by a long mile.
We need to sign two 5+ year NRL veteran props for next year, with one hopefully an international, who can take him under their wings and bring him on.
Failure to do so will see another shit year from him.

100% this

Stefano last year played his best games next to Tamou. When he played with an inexperienced prop he wasn’t the same player.

We MUST get Stefano a bash brother with experience over the next 2-3yrs