Stefano Utoikamanu says reaching his first NRL grand final has vindicated his decision to leave Wests Tigers for the Storm this time last year – a move which had “everyone … trashing me on the way out”.

Melbourne’s 22-14 win over Cronulla in Friday night’s preliminary final saw Utoikamanu become the second player to swap a wooden spoon for a place in the NRL decider within 12 months of leaving the Tigers.

Shawn Blore achieved the feat last year, and now Utoikamanu – who has been hailed as the best front-rower in the game during the past couple of months by Storm coach Craig Bellamy – has followed suit.

Utoikamanu rejected a lucrative offer to stay at the Tigers to join the Storm, having been impressed by Bellamy’s sales pitch, which led to him being booed by home fans one night at Leic

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