Why Stefano Utoikamanu felt bad saying no to Phil Gould and Bulldogs

3 days ago 4

Premier prop Stefano Utoikamanu could have been playing in Friday night’s qualifying final for Canterbury – not the Melbourne Storm – and admits he felt guilty knocking back Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and coach Cameron Ciraldo.

Canterbury made serious attempts to lure the front-rower to Belmore a little more than 12 months ago, and now he poses a big threat to their season at AAMI Park.

Utoikamanu knocked back a $4 million, five-year deal with Wests Tigers to join the Storm, but not before heading to Belmore to hear what Gould and Ciraldo had to say.

“I definitely had to have a good think about it, and after meeting with ‘Gus’ and ‘Ciro’, I knew if I stayed in Sydney, the Dogs would be the team I’d go to,” Utoikamanu said.

“Ciro and Gus showed me their vision for the club, and I definitely could have seen myself in those colours after I met with them.

“We met at Belmore, and I had a look around when the boys had a day off.

Stefano Utoikamanu has had a great first season in Melbourne.

“They made a pretty cool presentation. I could tell they were passionate about getting me. I actually felt bad for saying no.

“Gus was tipping me up about what Ciro was like, and what they were building there.

“Everyone can see it now, but at the end of 2023 going into 2024, they improved a lot, and they’ve taken another step up this year. They’re a team that will be in the [premiership] picture not just this year, but in years to come. It’s mad what they’re building there.”

Utoikamanu knew Craig Bellamy was the man to help him realise his full potential, and signed a three-year deal with Melbourne. The Tigers were so upset at the time they wrote to the NRL and asked them about the Storm contract and whether it was within the salary cap guidelines regarding offers.

Stefano Utoikamanu will play his first finals game on Friday night.

“A lot of players want to be coached by Craig Bellamy, so he didn’t have to say much for me to be keen to come here. I’m grateful I’m here now,” Utoikamanu said.

“It’s just great to be playing in my first finals game.

“It’s pretty funny because I was speaking to my partner [Chiara] about how weird that it was this time last year I was out drinking with the boys out on the harbour and having a bit of fun. It’s good to be still playing.

“I had signed with Melbourne before last season ended. Melbourne were always in the finals, and without sounding cocky, I knew if everyone put their best foot forward [this year], I’d most likely be here now.”

Utoikamanu returns from a rest and is essentially a straight swap for suspended middle forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

The Bulldogs wanted a big forward, and quickly shifted their sights to Newcastle’s Leo Thompson after missing out on Utoikamanu. Thompson signed a four-year deal in January.

Utoikamanu has played two Origin games for NSW, but will commit to Tonga for the Pacific Championships despite having already played for Samoa.

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