LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Stefano Utoikamanu spills the beans on his decision to take a pay cut and switch from the Tigers to the Storm.
In a move that turned heads and raised eyebrows, Utoikamanu decided to pack his bags and head down south to Melbourne, leaving behind a hefty $4 million offer from his former club.
The Tigers, eager to keep the talented 24-year-old in Sydney to help with their rebuilding process, were left scratching their heads as Utoikamanu opted to join forces with Craig Bellamy and the Storm on a deal that reportedly wasn't as lucrative.
While Tigers fans grumbled about Utoikamanu joining the ranks of the 2024 finalists, many saw the prop as the missing piece of the puzzle for the Storm as they chase glory in 2025.
As the Storm gear up for their season opener against the Eels, Utoikamanu revealed that his decision to turn down big offers from the Bulldogs and Tigers was driven by his desire to push himself out of his comfort zone and elevate his game to the next level.
With his partner and two sons making the move to Melbourne just in time for the NRL season, Utoikamanu acknowledged that staying in Sydney would have been the easy choice, surrounded by family.
But he saw the challenge of moving to Melbourne as an opportunity to push himself to new heights on the field.
Embracing the discomfort and pressure that comes with a new environment, Utoikamanu believes that his decision to take a pay cut will ultimately pay off in his development as a player.
Welcomed with open arms by Storm leader Harry Grant, Utoikamanu's presence alongside powerhouse prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has added some much-needed size to the Storm's forward pack.
As Utoikamanu settles into his new surroundings and prepares to make his mark on the field, all eyes will be on the prop as he aims to prove that sometimes, taking a risk and stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards in the game.