Bulldogs believed to be frontrunner for departing Tiger Utoikamanu

Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo may have the star prop they have desired with the Canterbury Bulldogs believed to be the frontrunner to sign departing Wests Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu.

The Tigers announced on Monday the 24-year-old had informed them of his decision to depart at season’s end but Utoikamanu is yet to make a decision on what uniform he will wear next but it is believed to be between the Bulldogs and Storm.

AAP NRL journalist Scott Bailey said he believed the Bulldogs were ahead in the race for the man, who made his State of Origin debut last season, but as for when a decision would be made – that was up in the air.

“Now he’s decided it’s essentially between the Bulldogs and Melbourne I believe and he’s weighing up those two options,” he said on SEN 117O Mornings.

“I still have the Bulldogs as the frontrunner I just think he goes to the Bulldogs, it’s a club on the up, he wants to win a premiership, that’s obviously a key priority for him and he doesn’t have to leave Sydney.

“Melbourne (is) obviously very appealing, Craig Bellamy down there, if you want to win a premiership Melbourne’s one of the places to be isn’t it but then he has to move his partner down to Melbourne.

“I just think he might be leaning towards Canterbury, as far as when we get a decision, really honestly who knows it could still drag on at least a little bit more yet.”

But when it came to another one of the NRL’s giants in Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Bailey said the Kiwi international was set to remain in Melbourne.

“Spoke to Nelson a couple of days ago now… we spoke to him about the rumours that he’s out of there, rugby union is an option, and he made very clear that he intends on seeing out his deal and staying in Melbourne,” Bailey added.

“He sat down with Matt Tripp and Justin Rodski, the owner and CEO of the Storm, said it was a clear the air meeting, he needed one after a few social media posts that suggested his time might be done down there.

“He walked away from there knowing they wanted him at the club and he certainly wants to stay at the club.

“So I don’t think Melbourne will be getting his salary off the cap anytime soon.”

The Wests Tigers host the Cowboys on Thursday night while Melbourne host the Dragons on Saturday.