The Melbourne Storm and the Wests Tigers have agreed on a player-swap deal between Justin Olam and Shawn Blore, which saw the PNG International signed a three-year contract with the Tigers after a month of lengthy negotiations.
Rumors surrounding Olam’s departure and potential player-swap had heated in the last few weeks, but all the speculations have come to an end with the potent center finally putting pen to paper, signalling his move from the Victorian territory to Concord.
A week ago, the Tigers signed the three-time Penrith Panthers’ premiership winning five-eight, Jerome Luai, on a lucrative five-year deal to bolster their pack and resurrect the struggling club to premiership heavyweights. Luai will join the club in 2025.
The cellar-dwellers (Tigers) are on a massive recruitment drive to restore their lost pride and revive the Concord franchise back to its glory days. They are slowly fitting in the missing puzzle by signing marquee players in the likes of Luai and Olam to turn the club around.
Olam’s addition to the Tigers’ pack will be a morale booster for the club in 2024 NRL season, as they endeavor to come out of the doldrums and find their feet again.
It won’t be an easy task to taste overnight success, but the Tigers are willing to buy key players who have what it takes to make the “Kings of the jungle” a force to be reckoned with.
Wests Tigers coach, Benji Marshall, said he was excited to have Olam on board and praised the one-time premiership winner for joining the club.
“Justin is a world-class player, who will bring plenty of experience to our team,” West Tigers Coach Benji Marshall told the media in an interview done by the NRL media.
“He is a proven winner, who has played at the highest level. His leadership and communication will be very valuable to our club.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Justin and his family to our family at Wests Tigers. "
The Simbu lad said he was happy to join forces with the Tigers and looked forward to the next chapter in his rugby league career.
“I was really impressed by Benji and his vision for me and the team, and it’s so exciting to be here,” Justin Olam said.
“I’m keen to put in the work and win the trust of the boys and the coaches at training, and hopefully contribute to what the club is building. "
Olam and Blore will start training with their new clubs on Monday, January 15th, in preparation for the 2024 NRL season.
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