Storm's support network has Stefano ready to thrive

Like so many who have gone before him at the Storm, the beauty is in the simplicity for Stefano Utoikamanu.

Know your role, do your job. Nothing more, nothing less.

As the 24-year-old prepares for his first game in a Melbourne jersey on Sunday at AAMI Park, it’s the clear and concise message from skipper Harry Grant that will resonate with him.

“Stef just has to play his small part in the team and if we can simplify his role and what we want out of him week to week, and what he can bring to the team, I think that will help his footy,” Grant said.

“I’ve enjoyed the way he has come in and wanted to work hard and taken any feedback on board.

“What is important to us as a team, he has taken that on board. He’s going to be a big asset for us.”

After three games with Parramatta in his debut season in 2020, and 75 with Wests Tigers in the ensuing four years, Utoikamanu put pen to paper with the Storm last August on a three-year deal amid plenty of hype and expectation.

Having worked his way through a gruelling off-season and blown out the cobwebs in trial games against the Warriors and Cowboys, he is pumped at the prospect of joining up with Josh King, Eli Katoa, Shawn Blore and Tui Kamikamica in the powerhouse Storm pack.

“Just coming down here and being around all these Origin and Test players, seeing the professionalism of those players is going to make me a better player,” he said.

“Just taking on board things from their game that will help my game is all I’m thinking about.

“I have a point to prove and show people what I can do.

“It was hard when I first went into Origin [in 2023], I probably wasn’t ready for it to be honest, but coming down here, Craig [Bellamy] has improved a lot of players’ games and for myself that’s what I wanted to do.

“Everyone here is so genuine, they are all good people and they all support each other, that’s why a lot of people last here when they move here from interstate or New Zealand.

“It took a bit to adjust moving interstate because I had only ever moved from Parramatta to Wests Tigers and that's not a big move because you still stay in Sydney.

"My partner Chiara and our two boys moved here last week and it’s good to have them down here for support, it feels like home a bit more."

With all the pieces in place off the field, Utoikamanu can turn his attention to Parramatta, the club he debuted with as a raw 20-year-old during the COVID-affected 2020 season.

"The Eels are going to come at us with all they've got. They have a new team, new coach, fresh start," he said.

"A lot of them have a point to prove and that's the same thing for me. It's a fresh start for me and I've got a bit of point to prove and show people and I'm just excited to go out there and do that."

Know your role, do your job. Nothing more, nothing less.