Justin Olam #281

[tigerman80]

I thought it was a reference to him smashing Nathan Brown in his debut.

It was. He’s lived off that hit and done nothing since , in between being injured every second game.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

I feel like the delay is related to how much Melby will put in. Every month that goes by, they pay 1/12th of his salary.

I remember when we were paying a part of salary of our ex players to play for the opposition, it is nice that the wheel could be turned in the opposite direction.
Of all clubs, I would prefer that Messrs Gould and Bellamy finance players to play for us!

 

[jrtiger]

Justin Olam will join the roster overhaul at Wests Tigers in an immediate shift from Melbourne as recruitment manager Scott Fulton is moved on from the club.

Olam, a premiership-winner and 2020 Dally M centre of the year at the Storm, is set to join the Tigers for 2024 after verbally agreeing to terms with the joint venture on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Papua New Guinean ranks as one of the better-paid centres in the game after re-signing with Melbourne 18 months ago. The Tigers will pick up the remaining three seasons of that contract, which runs until the end of 2026.

Olam’s signing by the wooden spooners is expected to send back-rower Shawn Blore in the opposite direction given he has already signed with the Storm for 2025 and beyond.

The rookie coach flew to Melbourne to meet with Olam before again handing the remainder of the process to Richardson.

Olam bound for Tiger Town as Scott Fulton exits following club upheaval

The Tigers have landed another key recruit for Benji Marshall’s rebuild on the same day that the recruitment manager he butted heads with was shown the door.

www.smh.com.au

 

[gallagher]

I like it. The backline is looking better.

 

[The_Patriot]

We dont have Blore for 24.

Hardly a game changer

 

[Tom Shines]

Smh article describes Olam as “one of the better paid centres in the game “…, no mention of the Storm paying any freight …

 

[DGilly]

It was. He’s lived off that hit and done nothing since , in between being injured every second game.

He didn't even smash him either, he just held his ground. Brown never left his feet

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Smh article describes Olam as “one of the better paid centres in the game “…, no mention of the Storm paying any freight …

Yep right up there with Manu or Holmes.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Richardson said creating a clear passage to the NRL is a priority in retaining your best juniors. We have excellent young forwards who could fill the 13 position. Retaining Blore for 2024 imo only serves to block the passage of younger forwards who will replace him. Give them the opportunity in 2024.

 

[lathami]

Richardson said creating a clear passage to the NRL is a priority in retaining your best juniors. We have excellent young forwards who could fill the 13 position. Retaining Blore for 2024 imo only serves to block the passage of younger forwards who will replace him. Give them the opportunity in 2024.

Don’t believe any juniors we have, retain the same game play BLORE has. He’s tall and has a good offload in him. Most we have coming through a running tree trunks!
I would have liked to keep him but he’s gone in 25 anyway.

 

[Suzie-Q]

I think I'm the only one who's disappointed Shawn is leaving

 

[old_man_tiger]

I think I'm the only one who's disappointed Shawn is leaving

Definitely not the only one, I think this is a bad move but hopefully not catastrophically bad and it could work out 🤞

 

[weststigers]

I think I'm the only one who's disappointed Shawn is leaving

I thought he had a good back half of the season and made impact, but if he's signed at Storm for 25, he may as well make way now.

 

[Glenji95]

I think I'm the only one who's disappointed Shawn is leaving

You’re probably not the only one that’s disappointed, but you have to look at his career so far to see why others aren’t sad he’s leaving. Joined the club in May 2020 (was during the COVID break) so when the comp began again it was Round 3 since he came to be able to be picked for first grade. Out of potentially 90 games he could’ve been named, he’s only played 31 during his 4 years with us. I get he’s had bad luck with injuries, but 31 out of potentially 90 games isn’t a good record for him. And most people only remember the hit on Nathan Brown. Good hit but that’s the only thing to his name first grade wise.

 

[batboy]

You’re probably not the only one that’s disappointed, but you have to look at his career so far to see why others aren’t sad he’s leaving. Joined the club in May 2020 (was during the COVID break) so when the comp began again it was Round 3 since he came to be able to be picked for first grade. Out of potentially 90 games he could’ve been named, he’s only played 31 during his 4 years with us. I get he’s had bad luck with injuries, but 31 out of potentially 90 games isn’t a good record for him. And most people only remember the hit on Nathan Brown. Good hit but that’s the only thing to his name first grade wise.

Disagree,
He's played decent Footy last year when coming off the bench in the middle....
Really won back momentum in a few games.
We'll miss him, I don't doubt....

Some of the guys we've kept over him won't ever reach his level (Even in those 31 Games)
I'm happy for him though, Great kid and obviously realises going to Melbourne is the best thing he can do for his career - So he's not silly....
I'll be rooting for him to do well there...

 

[clontarfkid]

Not a fan of the 12 month signing lag,and if theyve already chosen to go elsewhere Id rather invest in their replacement or in this case boosting a serial weakness in our roster
Same applies to Tupou if either of the new wing signings look promising Id give em a gig with Stains and Tupou can practice catching the high ball in reggies(and he needs a lot of that)

 

[Tucker]

I think I'm the only one who's disappointed Shawn is leaving

He has potential but has been a huge waste of time, effort and resources here for bugger all return.
I’m comfortable with him going.

 

[Bones]

You’re probably not the only one that’s disappointed, but you have to look at his career so far to see why others aren’t sad he’s leaving. Joined the club in May 2020 (was during the COVID break) so when the comp began again it was Round 3 since he came to be able to be picked for first grade. Out of potentially 90 games he could’ve been named, he’s only played 31 during his 4 years with us. I get he’s had bad luck with injuries, but 31 out of potentially 90 games isn’t a good record for him. And most people only remember the hit on Nathan Brown. Good hit but that’s the only thing to his name first grade wise.

Well Craig Bellamy saw something he liked.

It’s a real 50-50. He could go there and turn into a gun or he could go there and be the next Sam Kasiano. If he doesn’t make a go of it it won’t be ability that holds him back.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I thought he had a good back half of the season and made impact, but if he's signed at Storm for 25, he may as well make way now.

Junior Tupou can join him too

 

[ancient_magpie]

Well Craig Bellamy saw something he liked.

It’s a real 50-50. He could go there and turn into a gun or he could go there and be the next Sam Kasiano. If he doesn’t make a go of it it won’t be ability that holds him back.

If he goes and we have injuries in the forwards

Who goes up to fg.

.