Stefano Utoikamanu insists he hasn’t determined whether or not he’ll be on the Storm or the Bulldogs in 2025, though the powerhouse prop has declared he’ll “thrive” wherever he finally ends up after confirming this week that he’ll depart the Wests Tigers on the finish of the yr.
A five-year extension price $4m was on the desk for Utoikamanu to remain, however his intention was all the time to maneuver on in a bid to take his sport to the following degree, with the negotiations “stuffing up” his 2024 marketing campaign.
Whereas the younger prop ahead is eager to work with Craig Bellamy in Melbourne, it’s going to be robust to persuade his younger household to depart Sydney given they’ve a lot help, which makes the Bulldogs favourites to signal him.
“I’ll decide this weekend,” he mentioned whereas holding his little one following the 48-30 loss to the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
“I’m not too certain the place I’m going to finish up, however I do know that the following place is the precise place for me and my household.
“We’ve sat down as a household however we haven’t actually decided but. Everybody actually is aware of the 2 choices that I’ve. They each look actually good for me, so we’re going to sit down down tomorrow (Friday) and have a give it some thought.”
The Tigers desperately wished to re-sign the one-time NSW Blues consultant, however a few clauses proved expensive in the long run, with Utoikamanu free to depart on the finish of the yr regardless of having an choice for 2025.
The in-demand prop would have stayed in the event that they’d made the finals or if he’d performed two Origin matches, however neither of these issues occurred which performed a giant half in him wanting to hitch a membership that may struggle for premierships and elevate his sport.
The Tigers have been clearly dissatisfied to lose their front-row chief who joined them in 2021, however an absence of success has worn Utoikamanu down having gained simply 15 of his 71 appearances for the membership, whereas he’s cracked 100 working metres simply as soon as in his previous seven video games.
“They have been fairly good,” he replied when requested how the membership had taken the choice.
“It’s a reasonably bizarre state of affairs I’m in and it’s not preferrred that I needed to decide on the place I wish to go in the course of the season. I really feel like that’s type of stuffed up my season a bit.
“After we made the deal earlier than, the clauses ended up being fairly good for me and never so good for the membership. I really feel prefer it’s been a greater factor for me now.
“It’s much less about profitable a comp and extra about me attending to a brand new membership and growing as a participant. I do know I’ve developed a good bit right here, however I really feel like I’ve much more to present.
“Wherever I am going subsequent, I do know that I’m going there as a recent face. I believe change goes to be good for me. Wherever I am going subsequent, I believe I’m going to thrive.”
A small part of followers at Leichhardt Oval booed the prop ahead who was anticipating worse had the sport been performed in higher circumstances on the weekend.
But it surely’s nonetheless been a tough few weeks for a younger man who has hardly ever been within the media highlight and has needed to cope with fixed hypothesis about his future whereas additionally being slowed down in a struggle to keep away from a 3rd picket spoon in a row.
“I believe it’s been fairly robust,” he mentioned.
“I’m not used to seeing my title within the media 24/7. It’s good, nevertheless it’s made it exhausting for me to seek out my stride in my footy. It’s undoubtedly been robust.
“I really like this membership and everybody in it and I really like all of the boys and all of the coaches, so it was in all probability the toughest resolution I’ve needed to make in my profession to date.
“I’m dissatisfied that I’ve to depart, however I’m excited for what’s coming.”
