Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
He’s a big mother ain’t he.
Won’t say no
The Sherman Tank was short and stocky. Maybe we start calling him Sherman.
Lae is a league nursery. They play the game tough.
Great stuff, cheers‘I’ve got something to prove’: Ex-Storm star Olam embracing the challenge at Wests Tigers
By Adrian Proszenko
January 28, 2024 — 5.00am
Justin Olam has arrived at Wests Tigers with a body on the mend and a desire to prove himself all over again.
“Last season was basically not my best,” said the club’s latest recruit. “I’m not going to give any excuses, but my body wasn’t 100 per cent ready to play. I had ongoing injuries that I played with, I didn’t give myself a chance to compete.
“I’m working on that, my health, to get back on track. I want to get back to that [top] form, that’s what I’m focused on. I feel I can do it. I still feel I have something still left to prove.
“Stuff like this is always a challenge, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready to compete, I just needed to get my body right – that’s my goal at the moment. I’m taking it one step at a time and that’s to be healthy first. The Tigers have a lot of faith in me because I wasn’t 100 per cent healthy when they talked to me.
“I want to repay them and get better so I can go out there and compete.”
The journey from premiership heavyweights Melbourne to the two-time wooden spooners isn’t as far or as bold as Olam’s trek from Gon, a small village in Papua New Guinea’s mountainous Chimbu province, to chase his NRL dream. It is still, however, a leap of faith for a superstar who has achieved everything in the game, from winning a premiership to earning Dally M centre of the year honours.
Olam is one of the fiercest tacklers and ball runners in the NRL, a reputation he is looking to reestablish after being dropped for the first time last year during an injury-interrupted season with the Storm.
Last year began badly after he broke his forearm in a trial and then a knee injury prevented the 30-year-old from representing his beloved PNG in the Pacific Championships. Tigers coach Benji Marshall looked past those setbacks to secure Olam as part of a player swap with Shawn Blore.
“Benji told me what he wants to do,” Olam said. “It was a bit tough for me last year and a tough decision to make. I guess it’s a business at the end of the day, that’s about it.
“It’s a challenge, and I love challenges. The people here are so welcoming and the boys have made it easy for me to transition. It’s been good so far.
“The Tigers have got some good young players now and it would be good for me to show the way as a senior player, to guide the young boys. I’m looking forward to it as well.
“My first thing is to get healthy first, play consistent footy week in and week out.
“Benji had faith in me and brought me here. I want to win and I know the boys here want to win as well. I want to get healthy so I can go out there and play with them, earn their trust and compete.”
It took Olam time to adapt to life in Melbourne after growing up in PNG, with the transition to Sydney something he is still getting used to.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the city,” he said. “I need to know my way around; I’ve got to be careful with the traffic lights.
“The Tigers have a massive fan base and that comes with a massive responsibility for everyone at the club.”
‘I’ve got something to prove’: Ex-Storm star Olam embracing the challenge at Wests Tigers
It’s not quite as far as his journey from PNG to Melbourne to chase his NRL dream, but Justin Olam has taken another leap of faith in joining Wests Tigers.www.smh.com.au
Sheens speech?
Thank Christ‘I’ve got something to prove’: Ex-Storm star Olam embracing the challenge at Wests Tigers
By Adrian Proszenko
January 28, 2024 — 5.00am
Justin Olam has arrived at Wests Tigers with a body on the mend and a desire to prove himself all over again.
“Last season was basically not my best,” said the club’s latest recruit. “I’m not going to give any excuses, but my body wasn’t 100 per cent ready to play. I had ongoing injuries that I played with, I didn’t give myself a chance to compete.
“I’m working on that, my health, to get back on track. I want to get back to that [top] form, that’s what I’m focused on. I feel I can do it. I still feel I have something still left to prove.
“Stuff like this is always a challenge, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready to compete, I just needed to get my body right – that’s my goal at the moment. I’m taking it one step at a time and that’s to be healthy first. The Tigers have a lot of faith in me because I wasn’t 100 per cent healthy when they talked to me.
“I want to repay them and get better so I can go out there and compete.”
The journey from premiership heavyweights Melbourne to the two-time wooden spooners isn’t as far or as bold as Olam’s trek from Gon, a small village in Papua New Guinea’s mountainous Chimbu province, to chase his NRL dream. It is still, however, a leap of faith for a superstar who has achieved everything in the game, from winning a premiership to earning Dally M centre of the year honours.
Olam is one of the fiercest tacklers and ball runners in the NRL, a reputation he is looking to reestablish after being dropped for the first time last year during an injury-interrupted season with the Storm.
Last year began badly after he broke his forearm in a trial and then a knee injury prevented the 30-year-old from representing his beloved PNG in the Pacific Championships. Tigers coach Benji Marshall looked past those setbacks to secure Olam as part of a player swap with Shawn Blore.
“Benji told me what he wants to do,” Olam said. “It was a bit tough for me last year and a tough decision to make. I guess it’s a business at the end of the day, that’s about it.
“It’s a challenge, and I love challenges. The people here are so welcoming and the boys have made it easy for me to transition. It’s been good so far.
“The Tigers have got some good young players now and it would be good for me to show the way as a senior player, to guide the young boys. I’m looking forward to it as well.
“My first thing is to get healthy first, play consistent footy week in and week out.
“Benji had faith in me and brought me here. I want to win and I know the boys here want to win as well. I want to get healthy so I can go out there and play with them, earn their trust and compete.”
It took Olam time to adapt to life in Melbourne after growing up in PNG, with the transition to Sydney something he is still getting used to.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the city,” he said. “I need to know my way around; I’ve got to be careful with the traffic lights.
“The Tigers have a massive fan base and that comes with a massive responsibility for everyone at the club.”
‘I’ve got something to prove’: Ex-Storm star Olam embracing the challenge at Wests Tigers
It’s not quite as far as his journey from PNG to Melbourne to chase his NRL dream, but Justin Olam has taken another leap of faith in joining Wests Tigers.
I think Olam's experience will help him get back to top form.
