LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Teammates of Stefano Utoikamanu have rallied around him as he contemplates his next career move, with the Wests Tigers players showing their support for his decision to leave the club at the end of the year.
The fans, however, are the wild card in this situation, and all eyes will be on them when Utoikamanu takes the field at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.
The club officially announced on Monday that the formidable prop would not be staying for the 2025 season, despite being offered a lucrative $4m deal over the next five years.
The Bulldogs and Storm are now in a prime position to snap him up, as Utoikamanu seeks a new challenge in his rugby league journey.
"Stefano Utoikamanu has made the tough decision to part ways with the Tigers at the end of the 2024 NRL season," read the club statement, which also extended their best wishes to him and his family.
At 24 years old, Utoikamanu has had a mixed bag of success during his time with the Tigers, winning only 15 of his 70 games since joining in 2021.
However, he was considered the linchpin for the forward pack's future success, with his physical prowess and determination on the field.
But Utoikamanu is not the only Tigers forward bidding farewell, as Isaiah Papali'i heads to the Panthers and John Bateman ventures back to the Super League.
The rugby league world is a rollercoaster ride, with players coming and going, but the support of teammates remains unwavering, as they wish their departing colleagues all the best in their future endeavors.