Justin Olam #281

user118245 said:
Real shame was a gun for his 13 games and a real X factor, heath mason could be one to watch for and been saying for a while i think he'd be a great centre but then no cup FB unless tino. Heamasi is in the wings as well just waiting for his birthday
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Staines did reasonably well at FB for us a couple years ago. Turuva is an option too
 
innsaneink said:
Hed need to be given an extremely thorough medical, I think years of using his body as a weapon may have taken its toll on him and we're seeing the result last year
At his best Id have no hesitation, but theres also a very poor record of storm players leaving Melbourne and continuing on where they left off, let alone improving
Very high risk imo
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One of the few times I ...along with others...was right
 
Ron Brodrick's Spirit said:
Klemmer contributed nothing so needs no replacement. We have plenty of middles
We do need an extra backrower and a centre.
Bula to centre where his non involvement is better suited and Mason to fullback.
Problem solved
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Bullshit. Spencer would transform us into a top 4 pack. There is no worthwhile backrowers or centres available anyway so what’s your plan? Sit on your hands twiddling your nutsack?
 
SeanT said:
Yep haha.

Someone mentioning we have depth at centre like Douhie..

Just peeved that it's been years since we have had decent centres.
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We have To'a.

Doueihi not first picked, but he's available if needed.

Jack Bird can fill in.

Naden 6-8 weeks away.

We have the depth to cover it. Your depth is not going to be a guy that's first picked in every NRL squad. Even Olam would struggle to do that.

Skelton can also move in and Luke L can come in on the wing. Even Heath Mason would probably go alright as a 5th choice option at centre.

We have options.
 
weststigers said:
We have To'a.

Doueihi not first picked, but he's available if needed.

Jack Bird can fill in.

Naden 6-8 weeks away.

We have the depth to cover it. Your depth is not going to be a guy that's first picked in every NRL squad. Even Olam would struggle to do that.

Skelton can also move in and Luke L can come in on the wing. Even Heath Mason would probably go alright as a 5th choice option at centre.

We have options.
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Correct.
For middles we have Pole, Hunt, Kit, May, Twal, Sione
Klemmer was surplus.
I trust Richo to sniff out a backrower.
 
weststigers said:
We have To'a.

Doueihi not first picked, but he's available if needed.

Jack Bird can fill in.

Naden 6-8 weeks away.

We have the depth to cover it. Your depth is not going to be a guy that's first picked in every NRL squad. Even Olam would struggle to do that.

Skelton can also move in and Luke L can come in on the wing. Even Heath Mason would probably go alright as a 5th choice option at centre.

We have options.
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Taylan May to centre and keep Klemmer if the Tigers can sign May would be a plus
 
I was watching Wolfden on Youtube (Horse racing content) and one of the blokes on there is a keen Tigers supporter.
He summed up Klemmer best when asked his opinion on him leaving the club.
He said he's always happy to see hollow boned old blokes who look big but just get smashed by the opposition regularly leave.
 
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weststigers said:
We have To'a.

Doueihi not first picked, but he's available if needed.

Jack Bird can fill in.

Naden 6-8 weeks away.

We have the depth to cover it. Your depth is not going to be a guy that's first picked in every NRL squad. Even Olam would struggle to do that.

Skelton can also move in and Luke L can come in on the wing. Even Heath Mason would probably go alright as a 5th choice option at centre.

We have options.
Click to expand...
Toa is not a decent centre. He should be the depth.
 

Wests Tigers star on the verge of shock medical retirement​

Michael Chammas


By Michael Chammas​

February 24, 2025 — 11.53am

​
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 off-season.

The Papua New Guinea international is striving to get himself on the training field and 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, which has severely restricted his training workload.

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

It would also mean the 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 Olam’s career has been cut short due to a one-off injury and not as the result of a chronic issue.

The Tigers declined to comment when contacted on Monday.

Justin Olam may have played his last game in the NRL.


Justin Olam may have played his last game in the NRL.

Olam has had knee problems dating back to his time at the Melbourne Storm and has been hampered by them since joining the Tigers.

The knee that required surgery during the off-season was not the one 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 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 quality of life in retirement.

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 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 on Friday night that is expected to sideline him for at least the first two months of the season.

www.smh.com.au

Wests Tigers star on the verge of shock medical retirement

The Papua New Guinea international is struggling to get himself on the training field and Wests Tigers will discuss his future with his management later this week.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
 

BREAKING: Tigers star considering medical retirement after off-season surgery​

​

​

Fox League from Fox Sports​

February 24th, 2025 1:36 pm​

​

Tigers centre Justin Olam is reportedly set to be forced into medical retirement after struggling to recover from a knee injury that required off-season surgery.

That is according to Code Sports, who are reporting Tigers officials have given him space to make the crucial decision, having failed to feature in any pre-season fixtures.

Last year, the Papua New Guinea international played only 13 games, battling with injuries after making a move from the Storm ahead of the 2024 season.

The 31-year-old is reportedly earning around $600,000 per-season, with his current deal expiring at the end of the 2026 campaign.

That salary could be removed from the Tigers’ salary cap if Olam’s retirement is confirmed to be on medical grounds, however that relief is not guaranteed.

Tigers bosses will have to prove that Olam’s career was cut short due to a one-off event, not a chronic injury that plagued the centre’s fitness.


Olam has previously battled with knee injuries during his time at the Storm, however the issue that required off-season surgery was on the opposite leg.

Meanwhile, Tigers bosses are also awaiting confirmation of David Klemmer’s move to the Dragons, potentially clearing further cap space.

Therefore, should both players be off the club’s wage bill, the Tigers could have $1 million free on their cap to pounce on any free agents who become available.



www.foxsports.com.au

Tigers star considering sudden retirement after off-season issue

Tigers star considering sudden retirement after off-season issue
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 
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