Who wouldn't want to secure their future long term. ??? That's the main reason players sign. Kolomatagi, Gutherson, Brown. When players bob up like Utokimanu, the best recruitment teams keep them
We have more of our best jnrs playing elsewhere, than in the first grade squad
Poppa > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓April 30, 2026 at 11:08am
The reality is Chief that when Utoikamanu left us, he was looking pretty ordinary, he went to Tigers and did not look overly special there. When Bellamey grabbed him from Melb, he also struggled to begin with but eventually showed his potential.
I was watching this kid when he came through with the likes of the big names with the QLD Junior Origin sides (he was the Blue's equivalent) and he looked so special.....but then nothing. A good comparison that still has not worked out is Blaize Talagi, he has been expertly mentored and trained by the Cleary's, but he is no super star and is not likely to be....just an example of a talented kid coming through, who is just not that good.i.e he has no real speed, a poor defender that runs good lines and is an able link in a team that is almost mechanised.
He wasn't looking ordinary. Those who followed the younger grades told me he would play origin. He wasn't given the opportunity at Parramatta. The gave preference to older players like Alvaro and didn't want to offer good coin to Utokimanu as younger players need time to mature, and those controlling recruitment didn't want to risk their jobs on future players
Poppa > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓April 30, 2026 at 2:37pm
Wrrong again Chiefy, go back to the relevant time....yes there was a very strong opinion that this guy was good......that's what I mentioned in my post.....he didn't deliver Chiefy, it was that simple!
PS just like your Jack and the Beanstalk didn't either.
Chiefy you just cannot make stories up to suit your agenda....did you write any articles supporting his non retention.....NO it was universally agreed that Tiger's Offer could not be matched.....change your avatar it makes you look like a thinker.....I will choose one for you!
Which one represents you best young fella?
SuperEel 22 > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓April 30, 2026 at 2:43pm
Chief, you keep mis-representing the Utoikamanu-Alvaro situation. Alvaro was re-signed by Parra before he won the KT medal in 2018. He was our most consistent player in a terrible season. That extension was until the end of 2019 with a single further season player option in 2020, which he activated.
Stefano signed with the Tigers at the end of 2019 for 2021. That was after we have purchased both RCG and Ryan Matterson.
Alvaro's single season extension would not have impacted Stefano's development or first grade aspirations given he was upgraded to Parra's NRL squad during 2020 and Alvaro was shipped off.
More likely, it was the retention of Marata, Kaufusi and Brown along with the recruitment of RCG and Matterson that contributed to his departure. And funnily enough they all formed part of the pack that went to the 2022 grand final.
One thing to consider with Stefano was that his brother was medically retired due to an injury on the field and I am pretty sure the club and his family had some disagreements over insurances or money. So we kind of pissed them off lol
Petrus could easily be ready for the NRL next year in 2027. Don't need to look at 2028. As you said, sometimes we won't be able to do anything to keep him because we can't give him the money or honour of representing his heritage. But if we are relying on Jez and Guymer to be our backrowers for 2028 your setting yourself up for disappointment. They are both middles in the future and have no where near the potential of Petrus as backrowers. You would have to focus on the development of Nauer, Latu, Polley and Capovilla. But other than Latu those boys are only 18 or 16 this year
"This is just the start. Lots of agents have timed contracts with PNG entering to use them and increased money on offer to drive up contract values. Penrith have a heap of massive names off contract in 2028. I think it will be the biggest year in…"
Replies
Who wouldn't want to secure their future long term. ??? That's the main reason players sign. Kolomatagi, Gutherson, Brown. When players bob up like Utokimanu, the best recruitment teams keep them
We have more of our best jnrs playing elsewhere, than in the first grade squad
The reality is Chief that when Utoikamanu left us, he was looking pretty ordinary, he went to Tigers and did not look overly special there. When Bellamey grabbed him from Melb, he also struggled to begin with but eventually showed his potential.
I was watching this kid when he came through with the likes of the big names with the QLD Junior Origin sides (he was the Blue's equivalent) and he looked so special.....but then nothing. A good comparison that still has not worked out is Blaize Talagi, he has been expertly mentored and trained by the Cleary's, but he is no super star and is not likely to be....just an example of a talented kid coming through, who is just not that good.i.e he has no real speed, a poor defender that runs good lines and is an able link in a team that is almost mechanised.
How would you have managed this differently?
He wasn't looking ordinary. Those who followed the younger grades told me he would play origin. He wasn't given the opportunity at Parramatta. The gave preference to older players like Alvaro and didn't want to offer good coin to Utokimanu as younger players need time to mature, and those controlling recruitment didn't want to risk their jobs on future players
Wrrong again Chiefy, go back to the relevant time....yes there was a very strong opinion that this guy was good......that's what I mentioned in my post.....he didn't deliver Chiefy, it was that simple!
PS just like your Jack and the Beanstalk didn't either.
Chiefy you just cannot make stories up to suit your agenda....did you write any articles supporting his non retention.....NO it was universally agreed that Tiger's Offer could not be matched.....change your avatar it makes you look like a thinker.....I will choose one for you!
Which one represents you best young fella?
Chief, you keep mis-representing the Utoikamanu-Alvaro situation. Alvaro was re-signed by Parra before he won the KT medal in 2018. He was our most consistent player in a terrible season. That extension was until the end of 2019 with a single further season player option in 2020, which he activated.
Stefano signed with the Tigers at the end of 2019 for 2021. That was after we have purchased both RCG and Ryan Matterson.
Alvaro's single season extension would not have impacted Stefano's development or first grade aspirations given he was upgraded to Parra's NRL squad during 2020 and Alvaro was shipped off.
More likely, it was the retention of Marata, Kaufusi and Brown along with the recruitment of RCG and Matterson that contributed to his departure. And funnily enough they all formed part of the pack that went to the 2022 grand final.
One thing to consider with Stefano was that his brother was medically retired due to an injury on the field and I am pretty sure the club and his family had some disagreements over insurances or money. So we kind of pissed them off lol
Yes, that is true EA and possibly (I certainly dont know) a reason for Stephano not carrying through his potential with us.
Petrus could easily be ready for the NRL next year in 2027. Don't need to look at 2028. As you said, sometimes we won't be able to do anything to keep him because we can't give him the money or honour of representing his heritage. But if we are relying on Jez and Guymer to be our backrowers for 2028 your setting yourself up for disappointment. They are both middles in the future and have no where near the potential of Petrus as backrowers. You would have to focus on the development of Nauer, Latu, Polley and Capovilla. But other than Latu those boys are only 18 or 16 this year
We have Su'A til 2029 so only need one back-rower but surely it's Petrus. He could debut this year.
Yea Petrus if he stays with the club.
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