Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
Speculation but now with Olams money in the kitty, I reckon this potentially opens the door for Taylan May if he’s interested. Makes sense.
Justin Olam #281
- Thread starter Brett Thurbon
- Start date
Friday 5pm announcement? 🧐 would be good timing
hank37w
Well-known member
Like many others I never wanted him to come here when it was fairly obvious that his most productive playing days were behind him.
I wish him the best for the future and as Jolls has said, hope he picks up a role in the new PNG Franchise. I'm sure that as a proud Kumul this would be the culmination of a wonderful NRL career.
It is a shame he could not of finished his career at Melbourne where his NRL career began and where along with playing for PNG his reputation as a fearsome and fearless player was formed.
I am pleased in some ways that we were able to give him an opportunity to play on when it was obvious that the Storm no longer wanted anything to do with him.
In his time here it was pretty clear that all he wanted to do was to play the game that he loved and it was always obvious that he was not going to let anyone down due to a lack of courage, it was just a case of his body no longer being able to endure the rigors of the greatest game of all.
Best of luck champion.
I wish him the best for the future and as Jolls has said, hope he picks up a role in the new PNG Franchise. I'm sure that as a proud Kumul this would be the culmination of a wonderful NRL career.
It is a shame he could not of finished his career at Melbourne where his NRL career began and where along with playing for PNG his reputation as a fearsome and fearless player was formed.
I am pleased in some ways that we were able to give him an opportunity to play on when it was obvious that the Storm no longer wanted anything to do with him.
In his time here it was pretty clear that all he wanted to do was to play the game that he loved and it was always obvious that he was not going to let anyone down due to a lack of courage, it was just a case of his body no longer being able to endure the rigors of the greatest game of all.
Best of luck champion.
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jrtiger
Well-known member
I'm pretty sad, to be honest. given what he showed in 2024 I was so excited to see what an injury free Justin Olam was going to produce for WT this year in a much improved team.
regardless though, one of the game's greatest cult heroes. there'll be plenty of outside backs in the league breathing a little easier today knowing they don't have to face him.
all the best Juz. forever WT #281
regardless though, one of the game's greatest cult heroes. there'll be plenty of outside backs in the league breathing a little easier today knowing they don't have to face him.
all the best Juz. forever WT #281
Betterdays22
Well-known member
Such a weapon in his prime. I think his playstyle is not conducive to a long career unfortunately. Sounds like a smart bloke so I hope the NRL looks after him with some work with the new PNG team
rZEROd
Active member
All the best💪🏽😎
Best wishes and much love. Would be hard...didn't know it was coming so he didn't know it was his final game. Should get a proper send off!
Best wishes and much love. Would be hard...didn't know it was coming so he didn't know it was his final game. Should get a proper send off!
Wow, this was expected but saddening at the same time. Justin, was honestly such a damaging and incredible centre during his time at Melbourne and even had some games for us last year to remind us of just how good he can be. I was extremely excited by the prospect of him having an extended pre-season and off-season to fully rehabilitate his knees and try get back to some of his best form, but unfortunately it just wasn't to be.
Olam is one of only 2 players to play in the NRL to hail from PNG without playing any junior rugby league in Australia, after the legendary Marcus Bai. It is truly a shame for Olam's career to be cut short, especially with a PNG team just around the corner which I'm sure he'd set his sights on playing for. He truly is one of the greatest players to ever come from PNG and I'm sure he will be playing a major part in developing the game in PNG.
Thank you Olam for being a part of the Wests Tigers, and I wish him all the best for the future.
Olam is one of only 2 players to play in the NRL to hail from PNG without playing any junior rugby league in Australia, after the legendary Marcus Bai. It is truly a shame for Olam's career to be cut short, especially with a PNG team just around the corner which I'm sure he'd set his sights on playing for. He truly is one of the greatest players to ever come from PNG and I'm sure he will be playing a major part in developing the game in PNG.
Thank you Olam for being a part of the Wests Tigers, and I wish him all the best for the future.
Cracker player in his prime.
... and he's a physicist !
Enjoyed his career.
Wish we could've seen his storm form at the Tigers but not meant to be.
Good luck with your future, Juzzy.
... and he's a physicist !
Enjoyed his career.
Wish we could've seen his storm form at the Tigers but not meant to be.
Good luck with your future, Juzzy.
Sad way to end a wonderful career. Thank you Justin for being a wonderful representative of the NRL, PNG, Melbourne & of course Wests Tigers.
Sadly your time at Wests Tigers was marred by injuries but I have no doubt you tried your best to recover & always wanted to give 100%.
I hope Justin can remain a big part of Rugby League and of the new PNG franchise.
Thanks for the memories.
Sadly your time at Wests Tigers was marred by injuries but I have no doubt you tried your best to recover & always wanted to give 100%.
I hope Justin can remain a big part of Rugby League and of the new PNG franchise.
Thanks for the memories.
hammertime
Well-known member
Man, I wish we could have had Justin back on the field. He is such a brilliant player, and we certainly could use him right now.
I have great respect for his decision to retire and allow the team to move on with the additional cap space.
Wouldn't it be great to see him rehab his knee for the next few years and get one year in the PNG team. I can't see it happening, but what a story that would be.
I have great respect for his decision to retire and allow the team to move on with the additional cap space.
Wouldn't it be great to see him rehab his knee for the next few years and get one year in the PNG team. I can't see it happening, but what a story that would be.
BunganHead Tiger
Well-known member
I think our new management got it right this time. We gave Justin every chance to get back on the field with an extended re-hab. Benji and Richo have made sure he goes out to a heroe's sendoff at Campbelltown on Sunday, as well as a combined tribute with Melbourne in 6 weeks time. Well thought out and well deserved. A little bit different to the past regime's efforts where Lee stole the stage at Luke Brook's farewell and presented him with a barbie. It's like chalk...and well, cheeseburgers!
Congrats on a wonderful career Justin.
Congrats on a wonderful career Justin.
liltiger
Well-known member
Poor guy, a true legend of the game who didn't get the send off he deserved, ironically probarbly because of the way he played the game. Flat out, 100 percent intensity. A real great footballer and champion bloke, sorry he couldn't go out on his terms but irrespective he's still a legend of the game, what he did for the game in P.N.G aswell as all the philanthropy and charity he did, we definatly need to keep him around as an ambassador in P.N.G and outreach not only to help people but to promote our pathways system through him to find the next P.N.G great. Congrats on a fabulous career Justin, hope you enjoy your new life and find happiness, peace and prosperity 10 times more than you had as a player. Thanks for the memories, as a Tiger and Storm player.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
Well said BHT.
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Best of luck in the future Justin ...it is sad we didn't get to see your best footy at the WTs
Sure this puts us in a good position to strengthen our team, but I'm sad it didn't work out for Olam here.
He showed signs he could get back to his best, unfortunate his body couldn't.
Side note, very surprised his medical retirement was approved. Given his troubles at Melbourne, it was a poor recruitment that we deserved to be punished for.
He showed signs he could get back to his best, unfortunate his body couldn't.
Side note, very surprised his medical retirement was approved. Given his troubles at Melbourne, it was a poor recruitment that we deserved to be punished for.
BrissieTiger67
Well-known member
Thats the type of attitude comes from WT membership for life Moh, but take the small win that it was approved and we can salvage something from it.
