NRL 2024 market watch: Wests Tigers sign Justin Olam in player-swap deal with Storm for Shawn Blore

After months of speculation, the Wests Tigers have finally got their man, snaring PNG international Justin Olam as part of a player swap deal with the Melbourne Storm.

Wests Tigers will be hoping Justin Olam bucks the trend of Melbourne getting it over them when it comes to player movement between the clubs after announcing the signing of the premiership-winning centre on Friday.

The 30-year-old Olam’s move to the Tigers caps a week of change at the club and comes three days after it axed recruitment boss Scott Fulton.

Olam’s immediate shift on a three-year deal to play under rookie coach Benji Marshall at Concord will see young forward Shawn Blore go the other way to join Craig Bellamy’s Storm in a player swap.

Switches between the clubs, with the exception of on-loan Harry Grant in 2020, haven’t always worked out well for the Tigers.

After months of negotiations, the Wests Tigers have finally landed Justin Olam on a three-year deal. Picture: Getty Images

Adam Blair’s big money move from Melbourne to the Tigers in 2012 was a disaster and was regarded by some as one of the worst buys of all time, with the Kiwi star failing to fire before joining Brisbane.

More recently, the Tigers released Ryan Papenhuyzen in 2017 to join the Storm — the same year Josh Addo-Carr made the same move.

Addo-Carr won a title in his first year in Melbourne and three years later played alongside Olam and Papenhuyzen in the 2020 grand final win, with the fullback also winning the Clive Churchill Medal.

And before that, winger Marika Koroibete left the Tigers to join Melbourne mid-season in 2014 and was the club’s leading try scorer a year later before eventually going on to become a cross-code star in rugby.

With the exception of Harry Grant, player movement between the two clubs hasn’t usually worked out for the Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

While Grant’s loan deal benefited both clubs, the same could not be said for winger David Nofoaluma, who joined Melbourne on a six-game stint in 2022, and has since had a difficult time settling back in at the Tigers after getting a taste of finals footy at the Storm.

Whether Blore joins the impressive list of players to succeed at Melbourne after the leaving the Tigers remains to be seen.

But Marshall couldn’t care less about any of that and is confident Olam will be a smash hit for the Tigers.

“Justin is a world-class player who will bring plenty of experience to our team,” Marshall said.

“He is a proven winner who has played at the highest level. His leadership and communication will be very valuable to our club.”

Hitman Olam can’t wait to get to work under Marshall at Concord.

“I was really impressed by Benji and his vision for me and the team, and it’s so exciting to be here,” 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.”

Marshall also paid respect to the departing, 23-year-old Blore.

“We wish Shawn all the best with his future and thank him for his contribution to Wests Tigers,” Marshall said.

As part of a player swap deal, Shawn Blore is off to Melbourne, after signing a three-year deal with Storm. Picture: NRL Photos

Storm boss Justin Rodski wished 2020 premiership winner Olam all the best before rolling out the welcome mat for Blore who has signed a three-year deal.

The Melbourne pack was in desperate need of some extra punch and Blore will certainly provide that.

“We are really excited about bringing Shawn into the Storm system. He is rated as one of the most promising younger players in the game having represented the Junior Kangaroos and NSW Under-18s,” Rodski said.

“He’s a player that has been of interest since his junior rep days, leading the Panthers’ SG Ball side to a premiership in 2018, and shown great resilience having returned from injury to play 15 games last season with Wests Tigers.”

FORMER RICH 100 STAR HEADS TO SUPER LEAGUE

Former Parramatta flyer Waqa Blake has joined Super League powerhouse St Helens on a one-year deal.

The 29-year-old Fijian international fell out of favour with the Eels in 2023, playing just seven games, and had been linked with a switch to rugby union before his Saints deal was announced.

“I’m hoping to come over and do you guys all proud and I’m looking forward to seeing you all! I can’t wait to hear all the cheers, and we will be trying to go all the way this year,” Blake said in a St Helens statement.

Blake played 165 NRL games, starting at Penrith in 2015 before joining Parra in 2019 and played on the wing the Eels’ grand final loss to Penrith three years later.

Former Eel Waqa Blake is headed to the Super League. Credit: NRL Images.

He also featured on this masthead’s exclusive Rich 100 list at No.68 last year, with his $650,000-a-season salary the equal of the likes of Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton and Api Koroisau.

St Helens coach Paul Wellens can’t wait to get the speedy centre/winger on board.

“He is making a big commitment in coming over to the other side of the world and we’re confident he will settle in well and like it over here,” Wellens said.

“We have great success in terms of our overseas players doing that and going out on the field to perform well. From our end, he’s going to come highly motivated and come to prove a point which will only help him and his performances, as well as our group.”

✍ 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦, 𝗪𝗔𝗤𝗔 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘

St.Helens R.F.C. are delighted to welcome Fijian international centre Waqa Blake on a one-year deal for the 2024 season!

Read all about it ⬇

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 11, 2024

PANTHERS GRANT HOSKING RELEASE TO JOIN RAIDERS

—Pamela Whaley

Zac Hosking has been released from his Penrith contract to join Canberra effective immediately.

The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Raiders, starting this season after playing 21 games for the NRL premiers since joining them last year.

Hosking signed with the Panthers from Brisbane in 2023 and missed a spot in the club’s grand final side that defeated the Broncos to make it three straight titles.

He played two games in the centres, but comes to the Raiders as a versatile second rower to add depth to the forwards.

“In the brief time we’ve known Zac, and through watching him play in the NRL over the last few seasons, it’s evident that his work ethic, ability, and character will be great additions to our Club,” said Raiders recruitment manager Joel Carbone.

“He also adds some versatility to our squad having played several positions in his career and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Penrith Panthers for their professionalism and transparency throughout this process.”

Zac Hosking will join the Raiders on a three-year deal. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Hosking, who made his debut for the Broncos in 2022, is the latest player to leave the Panthers as part of a salary cap squeeze following their extraordinary premiership three-peat.

“After coming to the Panthers and being an integral member of the 2023 squad, we always knew keeping Zac at the club beyond 2024 would be an uphill battle,” said Matt Cameron, Panthers Rugby League CEO.

“Making this decision now gives the club the opportunity to promote from within our full time squad.

“We thank Zac for his service to our club and wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.”

Originally published as NRL 2024 market watch: Wests Tigers sign Justin Olam in player-swap deal with Storm for Shawn Blore