![\"Stefano](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5dbc10b3856c0ea92a66135141bb389b36864c03.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cTo 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\u2019s in the past, I\u2019m here, and next week we get to play in a grand final.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty crazy. I was with \u2018Blorey\u2019 at the Tigers, we had some tough times there and it\u2019s good to come out the other side and come to a great club like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Stefano Utoikamanu is disappointed by how things ended at Wests Tigers.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Utoikamanu admits he was \u201cjealous\u201d watching another finals series last year from his couch, but knew that joining perennial September specialists<\/a> Melbourne would boost his chances of tasting play-off action at last.<\/p>\n \u201cThis time last year, I was watching from the sidelines, and probably jealous these players were playing in these great games,\u201d Utoikamanu said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something I wanted to do. Coming here and being a part of it, it\u2019s pretty mad next week I get to play in one. I\u2019ve played in two finals for two wins, hopefully I can get a third one.\u201d<\/p>\n Bellamy smiled when discussing Utoikamanu after Friday night\u2019s victory: \u201cWhen he first came here, we did things a bit differently to what he was used to. I\u2019m not saying that\u2019s right or wrong, but he took a little while to understand what his role was, and how to do his role in this team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had some tough times there [at the Tigers] and it\u2019s good to come out the other side and come to a great club like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Stefano Utoikamanu<\/p>\n \u201cThe last eight to 10 weeks, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen a better front-rower in the competition. He was outstanding and led the way. He\u2019s such a modest guy; he\u2019s a down-to-earth, lovely bloke.\u201d<\/p>\n