“I’ve probably surprised myself with how quickly I’ve settled into Melbourne. I had a couple of goals, which was to try and get back into the Origin arena, and play some finals footy. I ended up playing two Origin games, and I’ve played two finals.”
Utoikamanu follows teammate Shawn Blore in swapping a wooden spoon at Wests Tigers to playing in a decider with Melbourne within 12 months.
Stefano Utoikamanu during his time at the Tigers.Credit: NRL Photos
The front-rower made it clear over the weekend he was disappointed with the way he left the club, and had given his all the four years he was there.
“To see everyone trash me on the way out, the fans, and the media a bit, it was a shit way to go out,” Utoikamanu said.
Several players have reached out to congratulate Utoikamanu, including one Tiger he hopes to take back to the Victorian capital. He even joked he was prepared to wipe the 6 per cent commission agents usually receive for brokering a deal.
Loading
“Fonua Pole is from here [Melbourne], he has family here, and I’d love to see him come back,” Utoikamanu said. “He’s such a good player and a good bloke. He’s already messaged me this week.
“I loved my time at the Tigers, but my time in Melbourne has been the best of my career so far, not just because of how far we’ve come as a team, but for me personally and how much I’ve developed.”
Utoikamanu also said Keith Titmuss, a childhood friend who died after a Manly training session in late 2020, would be in his thoughts this week, and a photo of the pair sitting on a hill more than 10 years ago during a schoolboys trial still brought back many warm memories.
“He was one of my best mates, it’s hard to not ever think about him,” Utoikamanu said.
“We had a close group from school, including [NRL players] Matt Doorey, Jason Saab and Tommy Talau. I think about him every week. He was such a good player.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
