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Alex Twal has defended Stefano Utoikamanu for opting to walk out on Wests Tigers, while Alex Seyfarth says it will be unfair to move the prop to NSW Cup.
Wests Tigers players have backed teammate Stefano Utoikamanu's exit as the outbound prop prepares to face the wrath from fans of the frustrated club for the first time.
Utoikamanu told the Tigers he was snubbing their five-year extension on Monday, with Canterbury and Melbourne leading the charge for his services.
The 24-year-old is expected to play for the Tigers on Thursday when they face North Queensland at Leichhardt Oval.
Utoikamanu's departure is the latest in a long line of exits that have left Tigers fans frustrated as the club nears a third-straight wooden spoon.
Fellow front-rower Alex Twal said it would be unfair for Tigers supporters to turn on Utoikamanu given his service to the club.
"They're very passionate fans but Stefano has given his heart everytime he's worn the jersey," Twal said.
"At the end of the day, as long as we put in a team performance it will be all cheers (for him)."
Utoikamanu's departure represents the latest in several high-profile exits since Shane Richardson took charge as the club's chief executive.
Isaiah Papali'i will move to Penrith at the end of this season, while John Bateman has been loaned to Super League club Warrington.
Whether Bateman returns will be a subplot that dominates the Tigers over the coming months as they actively try to ship off centre Brent Naden and playmaker Jayden Sullivan.
Naden and Sullivan have both been in reserve grade since it emerged the Tigers were trying to move them on.
Utility forward Alex Seyfarth says it would be unfair if Utoikamanu was consigned to NSW Cup to give the Tigers a chance to blood another player in preparation for 2025.
"He's part of our team, he's been through the whole season and he's been here previous years, so I don't see an issue with him playing the rest of the year," Seyfarth said.
"We've got a lot of good young juniors here, so him leaving gives an opportunity for one of the younger boys to make their mark on this side and move forward next year because we can't really dwell on what could have been."
