Justin Olam medically retires, paving the way for Taylan May and Lachlan Galvin at Wests Tigers

Wests Tigers have received salary cap dispensation from the NRL following Justin Olam’s retirement, in a move that is expected to give them the financial artillery to re-sign teenage star Lachlan Galvin.

The Tigers will launch a bid to keep Lachlan Galvin at the club. Picture: NRL Photos

Wests Tigers have received salary cap dispensation from the NRL for centre Justin Olam in a move that is expected to give them the financial artillery to launch an all-out bid to retain teenage star Lachlan Galvin.

This masthead understands that the Tigers were given the green light by the NRL on Thursday after seeking a cap exemption for Olam, who was forced to medically retire due to a knee injury suffered last year.

The move means the Tigers will have Olam’s salary removed off their cap for the remainder of this year and next. Throw in the departure of David Klemmer, who has joined St George Illawarra, and the club is likely to have an additional seven-figure sum to use to bolster their squad.

At the top of their hit- list is Galvin, the prodigious teenager who is off contract at the end of next season and able to speak to rival clubs when he enters the final year of his deal on November 1.

Justin Olam has officially retired. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Tigers have made no secret of their desire to tie Galvin to a long-term deal and the Olam agreement means they will now have the monetary muscle to bump up his salary cap next season as part of any long-term offer.

Galvin is expected to attract interest from a handful of clubs if the Tigers are unable to get a deal done before the start of November.

Parramatta and the Bulldogs have been prominently linked with Galvin while Manly are now in the market for halves given the imminent departure of Daly Cherry-Evans.

The Tigers will get first shot at tying him down. They now have seven months to secure him to a long-term deal and they are expected to make their move in coming weeks now that Olam’s future has been determined and they know where they stand from a financial perspective next season.

Any offer from the Tigers to Galvin is expected to include a significant upgrade next year and an ongoing commitment that could be worth as much as $1 million a season.

Dylan Brown’s mega-deal with Newcastle has reset the halves market in a big way and Galvin stands to be one of the main beneficiaries.

Taylan May has been linked to the Wests Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

The Tigers have also been linked to former premiership-winner Taylan May, who recently had domestic violence charges dropped earlier this month.

If May is to join the Tigers, he will partner with his brother Terrell in a new look side which has the club with two wins and one loss to start their year.

Olam thanked the Tigers faithful and his fans throughout his journey.

“With God, anything is possible. I wish I could keep playing, but my body just won’t allow it anymore,” Olam said.

“I came here hoping just to play one game, and I’ve been blessed a hundred times over to have played more than 100.

“Hopefully, I can inspire a young kid — whether here or back home in PNG — to chase their dreams. I believe everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan.

“Thank you to all my friends, family, and anyone who has supported me throughout my rugby league journey — I appreciate you all.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall said it was an honour to have Olam at the club and wished him the best in his future.

“We congratulate Justin on an incredible career in the NRL and for Papua New Guinea,” Marshall said.

“He will go down as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — players to represent PNG. It’s been an absolute privilege having Justin at our club, and we wish him and his family all the very best in the next chapter of their journey.”

Olam finishes his career with a premiership, along with a Dally M centre of the year award.

Originally published as Justin Olam medically retires, paving the way for Taylan May and Lachlan Galvin at Wests Tigers