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Ricky Stuart grateful for honesty as Raiders miss out on Utoikamanu, focus on next game.
Ricky Stuart was thankful for the honesty after Stefano Utoikamanu let him know the Canberra Raiders weren't in his plans.
The Green Machine have dropped out of the race for the in-demand prop and will now switch their attention elsewhere.
Part of that will be trying to end their three-game losing streak as they prepare for a crucial home clash against fellow top-eight-fringe-dwellers Newcastle on Sunday.
"Embrace siege mentality, let's play like round one every week, overcome any situation."
"F--- em". It's the siege mentality that worked for the Canberra Raiders in round one and it's one they should embrace for Newcastle 2.0.
It's a mentality Raiders hooker Tom Starling felt they should have every week - regardless of the situation.
Pictures emerged of the sign the Green Machine had up in their sheds after they knocked off the Knights in Newcastle to open their season with the aforementioned simple message.
Stefano Utoikamanu allowed to explore options, Dragons withdraw from race for his services.
Speaking to News Corp, St George Illawarra Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has confirmed that the club have decided to pull out of the race for Stefano Utoikamanu.
While the Dragons have ruled themselves out of the race for the NSW Blues front-rower, the Melbourne Storm remain the heavy favourites, with the Canberra Raiders on their tail for his signature.
The Storm have already reached out to Utoikamanu's management to sign him for 2025, while the Raiders are believed to have offered him a major offer worth around $1 million per season.