Stefano Utoikamanu insists he hasn’t decided whether he’ll be at the Storm or the Bulldogs in 2025, although the powerhouse prop has declared he’ll “thrive” wherever he ends up after confirming this week that he’ll leave the Wests Tigers at the end of the year.
A five-year extension worth $4m was on the table for Utoikamanu to stay, but his intention was always to move on in a bid to take his game to the next level, with the negotiations “stuffing up” his 2024 campaign.
The Bulldogs are the favorites to recruit the young prop forward because, although he is eager to work with Craig Bellamy in Melbourne, it will be difficult to persuade his young family to move from Sydney.
“I’ll make a decision this weekend,” he said while holding his child following the 48-30 loss to the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
“I’m not too sure where I’m going to end up, but I know that the next place is the right place for me and my family.
“We’ve sat down as a family, but we haven’t really made a decision yet. Everyone really knows the two options that I have. They both look really good for me, so we’re going to sit down tomorrow (Friday) and have a think about it.”
The Tigers desperately wanted to re-sign the one-time NSW Blues representative, but a couple of clauses proved costly in the end, with Utoikamanu free to leave at the end of the year despite having an option for 2025.
The in-demand prop would have stayed if they’d made the finals or if he’d played two Origin matches, but neither of those things happened which played a big part in him wanting to join a club that can fight for premierships and elevate his game.
The Tigers were clearly disappointed to lose their front-row leader who joined them in 2021, but a lack of success has worn Utoikamanu down having won just 15 of his 71 appearances for the club, while he’s cracked 100 running metres just once in his past seven games.
“They were pretty good,” he replied when asked how the club had taken the decision.
“It’s a pretty weird situation I’m in and it’s not ideal that I had to make a decision on where I want to go during the season. I feel like that’s kind of stuffed up my season a bit.
“When we made the deal before, the clauses ended up being pretty good for me and not so good for the club. I feel like it’s been a better thing for me now.
“It’s less about winning a comp and more about me getting to a new club and developing as a player. I know I’ve developed a fair bit here, but I feel like I have a lot more to give.
“Wherever I go next, I know that I’m going there as a fresh face. I think change is going to be good for me. Wherever I go next, I think I’m going to thrive.”
A small section of fans at Leichhardt Oval booed the prop forward who was expecting worse had the game been played in better conditions on the weekend.
But it’s still been a rough few weeks for a young man who has rarely been in the media spotlight and has had to deal with constant speculation about his future while also being bogged down in a fight to avoid a third wooden spoon in a row.
“I think it’s been pretty tough,” he said.
“I’m not used to seeing my name in the media 24/7. It’s good, but it’s made it hard for me to find my stride in my footy. It’s definitely been tough.
“I love this club and everyone in it and I love all the boys and all the coaches, so it was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career so far.
“I’m disappointed that I have to leave, but I’m excited for what’s coming.”
