The Tigers and the Storm have finalized a player exchange agreement, sending Shawn Blore to Melbourne on a three-year deal while welcoming Justin Olam to Wests Tigers under a similar contract.
In an official statement, Wests Tigers expressed their delight at securing Justin Olam, the former Melbourne Storm center and 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year, on a three-year deal. The Papua New Guinea international, released from his Storm contract, will join his new teammates on Monday. Olam, a 30-year-old premiership-winner with 46 tries in 104 appearances for the Storm, brings leadership and experience, according to Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall.
Marshall expressed his excitement about Olam’s arrival, emphasizing the player’s proven track record and valuable qualities for the club. Olam, in turn, conveyed his eagerness to contribute to Wests Tigers’ growth and build trust within the team.
Simultaneously, Wests Tigers granted a contract release to Shawn Blore, a 23-year-old forward who will make the move from Wests Tigers to Melbourne Storm in the coming days. Blore, having played 33 games in four years with Wests Tigers, missed the entire 2022 season due to injury. Marshall acknowledged Blore’s contributions to the club, wishing him the best for the future.
Both player transfers were part of a mutually agreed-upon deal between the two clubs, as stated in a joint release by Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers. The statement highlighted the fresh start for both Olam and Blore in the 2024 NRL season.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski praised Justin Olam’s contributions to the club, describing him as a beloved figure and a premiership player. Rodski acknowledged the difficulty of parting with such a key player but expressed excitement about the new opportunities for Olam and Blore.
Olam, known for his fearless playing style, is a cult hero in Papua New Guinea, representing the country 14 times. On the other hand, Shawn Blore, signed to a three-year deal with Storm, is seen as a promising addition to the forward pack, bringing resilience and talent.
Both Olam and Blore are set to begin training with their new teams on Monday, marking the start of a new chapter in their respective NRL careers.
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