“To see everyone trash me on the way out, the fans, and the media a bit, it was a shit way to go out. But it’s in the past, I’m here, and next week we get to play in a grand final.
“It’s pretty crazy. I was with ‘Blorey’ at the Tigers, we had some tough times there and it’s good to come out the other side and come to a great club like this.”
Stefano Utoikamanu is disappointed by how things ended at Wests Tigers.Credit: Getty Images
Utoikamanu admits he was “jealous” watching another finals series last year from his couch, but knew that joining perennial September specialists Melbourne would boost his chances of tasting play-off action at last.
“This time last year, I was watching from the sidelines, and probably jealous these players were playing in these great games,” Utoikamanu said.
“It’s something I wanted to do. Coming here and being a part of it, it’s pretty mad next week I get to play in one. I’ve played in two finals for two wins, hopefully I can get a third one.”
Bellamy smiled when discussing Utoikamanu after Friday night’s victory: “When he first came here, we did things a bit differently to what he was used to,” Bellamy said. “I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but he took a little while to understand what his role was, and how to do his role in this team.
“We had some tough times there [at the Tigers] and it’s good to come out the other side and come to a great club like this.”
Stefano Utoikamanu
“The last eight to 10 weeks, I don’t think I’ve seen a better front-rower in the competition. He was outstanding and led the way. He’s such a modest guy; he’s a down-to-earth, lovely bloke.”
Utoikamanu was punished for spitting on a wrestling mat during one of his first training sessions, and learnt the hard way what was expected down south.
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“I have to give Craig a rap because he’s helped me so much, as have all the coaches,” Utoikamanu said. “The prep they do for us during the week gives me the confidence to go out there and play my best footy.”
Utoikamanu, whose form was rewarded with another call-up to the NSW Origin squad this year, played in a NSW Cup grand final for Wentworthville in 2019, and said the last decider he played in was as a teenager.
He has already pledged his allegiance to Tonga, which will pit him against New Zealand’s Moses Leota and Samoa’s Payne Haas, with that pair to lock horns on Sunday for Penrith and Brisbane respectively.
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