Storm coach Craig Bellamy responded with surprise to a recent remark from young forward Stefano Utoikamanu, who labelled some of the Brisbane Broncos players as “stuck up.” This comment sparked considerable interest ahead of the grand final on Sunday. Utoikamanu’s unexpected dig came after Bellamy had previously praised him for his humility following the Storm’s victory over Cronulla in the preliminary finals.
During an NRL press conference, Bellamy addressed the comments, saying, “I didn’t actually hear it, obviously I heard about it – but I was surprised, I will leave it at that,” and declined to elaborate further when pressed for details about any discussions he might have had with Utoikamanu.
The reactions to Utoikamanu’s remarks have been mixed among former players. Corey Parker criticised Utoikamanu, highlighting his lack of significant achievements in the game thus far, while fellow Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva acknowledged the theatrics involved in the exchange. Current Broncos players, however, appeared unfazed by the jibe. Pat Carrigan downplayed the incident, stating it was all part of sport and affirmed his commitment to hard work and team cohesion.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire indicated that his players remain focused on their motivations and game plan, discounting the external distractions. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to maintain concentration and perform well.
Despite Utoikamanu’s addition bolstering the Storm’s lineup, Bellamy noted that many players in the squad had experienced last year’s disappointing grand final loss against Penrith. He reflected on the painful experience, stating that while revisiting the loss is tough, it is crucial for learning and improvement. “You just learn things from your losses,” he noted, emphasising the importance of extracting lessons from past mistakes to enhance future performance.