Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Tucker said:
How was Bateman toxic?
Sure we didnt get the best out of him. That is true for most guys who have played for his club lately, including Stef.
It was the right decision to let Stef go as he wanted too much money. Bateman though? None of us know what has happened there.
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I think not taking his medicine from the coaching staff and raising issues in a public forum in front of other, less experienced players within the squad isn't the best way to go about your business. I also think that some of the backhanded social media comments could be construed as sour grapes and not an ideal way to conduct yourself as a professional.

That being said, Benji should have also handled that situation better.
 
Wiz said:
Anyone got the Olam medical retirement article from the SMH?
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Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam is on the verge of a medical retirement as he struggles to overcome a knee injury that required surgery in the offseason.

The Papua New Guinean international is striving to get himself on the training field and the Wests Tigers are set to discuss his future with his management later this week.

There are fears the 31-year-old’s time in the NRL could be over as a result of the injury that has severely restricted his workload.

Olam wants to continue playing but is unable to get himself in a position to train with the team. A medical retirement would see him paid out the remainder of his near $600,000-a-season contract which expires at the end of 2026.

It would also mean the Wests Tigers will have his wage wiped from the salary cap, however the club is no guarantee to be granted a medical retirement exemption.

In order to qualify for the medical retirement, the club will have to successfully argue that his career has been cut short due to a one-off injury and not as the result of a chronic issue. The Wests Tigers declined to comment when contacted on Monday.

Olam has long had knee issues dating back to his time at the Melbourne Storm and has been hampered by it during his time at the Tigers.

The knee that required surgery this offseason was the opposite knee that primarily hampered him during his time at the Storm. The Tigers believe he suffered an injury in round 18 against his old club at Leichhardt that has been the major contributor to his current dire predicament.

Olam has been a strong contributor for the joint-venture club when he has been on the field, but was restricted to just 13 of the club’s 24 games in his first season at the Tigers in 2024.

There is the option of undergoing further medical procedures to try and improve his situation, but it may impact on his way of life after rugby league.

Olam was still holding out hope of being able to play for the new NRL team in Papua New Guinea in 2028 to represent his home nation in the NRL but it appears highly unlikely that his body will allow him to play this year, let alone in three years’ time.

The veteran centre’s plight is compounded by the dislocated kneecap suffered by Brent Naden in the Tigers’ 30-18 trial win over Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval that is expected to sideline him for at least the first two months of the season.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Centre depth now critical with Olam gone for foreseeable future. Toa and AD look to be 1st choice with Faatape first drop. Taylan May will obviously come into frame but who else out there?
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Staggs/Cobbo, they will ask big money but we seem to have a lot of cap space. I see one of
them going to the Roosters though
 
cone said:
Staggs/Cobbo, they will ask big money but we seem to have a lot of cap space. I see one of
them going to the Roosters though
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Staggs has re-signed up there - Cobbo is the one who's available however he's more a winger than centre.
 
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