'Going nowhere': The Storm put to bed NAS rumours
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Now boys, one of the stories that broke yesterday involves Stefano Yatoye-Kamanu, who is, as we know, leaving the West Tigers at the end of the season, and he's heading to the Melbourne Storm. They've secured his services on a three-year contract until the end of 2027. Frank Panisi is their general manager of football, and he's on the line. G'day, Frank. G'day, Mark. How are you? Mate, really well. The last time we spoke, you weren't sort of sure where this was at at that point, but gee whiz, you've got your man, and it's a great signing for the club.

Yeah, pleasing for the club. Yes, that obviously was out of ourselves and the Bulldogs and it's a 50-50. It has been all week and to get the final call and say that he's coming down here was pleasing. Look, he's an exciting young forward. He's closer to the raw end of his career rather than the finished product and I think that's what makes it exciting in terms of what he could potentially be in over the next few years under Craig Bellamy's coaching.

Mate, he's a super player. We all know that. Look, the stuff I was reading up here was that his wife wasn't keen to go to Melbourne. Were you aware of that? And if you were, how did you fix that problem?

Yeah, in terms of saying we were aware that there was some reluctancy, but not so much reluctancy, but very close to her family. But she spoke to a few of the other partners that have moved from interstate, and I think that made her feel a lot more comfortable, Darrell. So I think that was a big factor in getting him over the line. I've got one sentence for you. Happy wife, happy life there, Frank. There's a lot of truth in that, Darrell. We all know that. It's the best part of our life.

Frank, what about Big Nelson? What's it mean for him? There's been some rumors floating around he may be leaving the club. I'm not sure if he's off contract or not, but can you give us an update on him?

Yeah, no, there has been some talk, but no, he's going nowhere. If anything, this is actually kind of complimenting Gal. One thing over the last few years, you know, he's been the only big forward we've really had. We've got a terrific pack we're really proud of, which doesn't get the accolades of the Panthers forwards or the Roosters forwards and a few other packs. You know, we've got great workers in Christian Welsh, Tui Kamikameka, Josh King, Kodak.

A couple of exciting young forwards off the bench in Alan McDonald and Joey Chan have got great leg speed. But Nelson's the only big man, you know, in our premiership years of 2017. As you would know, we had Nelson, Jordan McLean, Jesse Bromwich. 2020, we had Jesse Bromwich, Nelson and Tino. So we really lacked another big man. So it's put more pressure on Nelson. So is this going to help Nelson if anything at all? Mate, a big weekend down there this weekend. You've got the Dragons. How are the boys looking for that?

Yeah, Penrith did us no favours last week, Gal. I mean, putting on 40 on their home ground and, you know, we know any team that gets trounced like that, especially a team cached by Shane Flanagan, they're going to come out roaring. We'll see a bounce back. And, you know, they're a team with a lot to play for. You know, they're just on the edge of the eight

with the Dolphins losing last night that really gives them something to leave an extra to play for so we're expecting a really determined we're expecting a real physical game I think they'll come out real physical certainly in the first 20 minutes so it's really important we're really concentrating on our start tonight

You are on a pretty good run though, seven straight, Frank. The big change, obviously, Cam Munster gets to start, so it moves Ty Wishart to the bench. Obviously, we all know what a freak Cam Munster is and he'd be pumped that he doesn't have to watch any footy from the sidelines, but talk to me about Ty Wishart, what he's been like. I thought he's done a really good job just watching the footy, not only filling in, but taking a bit of control, particularly towards the back end, that he played a fair few games in the halves.

Yeah, Lonnie has. He's been here a couple of years now. We've signed him back in 2021 during COVID. And, you know, he's been a good fill-in player, back-up player. But this year he's really put his hand up to be a starting player. And he's played multiple positions in our team. I think he's played every position in the back line. He's played dummy half and he's even played a little bit in the ruck. But he came to us as a half and really hasn't had too many opportunities over the last few years.

especially if we do lose one of our halves, Jonah Pezet fills in. So he got his opportunity, and I just thought he lifted to another level. He's been one of our form players over the last six to eight weeks. I couldn't agree any more with you, mate. I think he's an outstanding player, and he can handle any position just about. Good kid, too.

Oh, wonderful. I mean, you know, it comes from good stock. You know, the Wishart family, you know, Rod was a champion player, but even a better bloke. And he worked hard. You know, boys love playing with him. And, you know, he's just taken his game to another level since he's been given that number six. And, you know, I think he's a valuable player for the team. You know, he's more than just a backup or a fill-in. I think he's going to be a real weapon for us off the bench going into the finals. Frank, one of the reasons I love rugby league, and, you know, it's been part of my life forever, is the fact that when time's tough...

you know, clubs stick together. And I see that, unfortunately, Cameron Smith's mother passed away a week or so back and Craig went to a funeral, which I think is just a wonderful thing. You know, I mean, Cameron Smith's obviously a legend of the club and during a tough time, I think it's fantastic that Craig went there and represented the club.

It certainly was, Daryl. It was sudden. She hadn't been ill. It was just a sudden which shocked everyone and knocked about Smitty as well. But yeah, Craig wasn't in training yesterday. He went up for the funeral. It speaks volumes of their relationship, obviously. It's a close relationship over a long period of time as captain and coach. Yeah, the Smith family, obviously, he played such a long time

time here and a major part of his life and his mum Sonia you know it was all the major milestone games that Smithy played or just would come down a couple of times a year so we all knew Sonia was she was a real character and yeah we were all sad with the news and you know it's only going to

fitting that we pay tribute to tonight by the boys wearing a black armband. Alright Frank and one last one before you go mate this weekend Harvey Norman women in league round and I know the club is going to highlight a variant cancer and the need for more research and more funding. Cameron Munster's wife Bianca is an ambassador for that which is lovely.

Yeah, it is. And we're using Donate, which is the donating organs. And the boys have reached out this week by wearing beanies and T-shirts, promoting Donate and encouraging people to donate organs, which is really important. And I think at a great weekend, it's Women in Rugby League. So all those things you spoke about, Mark. We're also going to showcase the Women in Rugby League.

In our game down here, we're trying to grow the game with the girls and the women playing the game. The numbers are increasing every year. You know, with the aim one day of fielding an NRLW team, which would be a fantastic thing that we're looking forward to as a club. Great stuff. All right, Frank. Well, great news for the club with the signing of Stefano Yutoi-Gamano over the next three years until the end of 2027. And we wish you well in this game coming up against the St. George Lawara Dragons. Thanks for joining us.

Thanks, mate. There he is, Frank Panisi, general manager of football down there at the Melbourne Storm and another big signing for the club.