NRL market watch: David Klemmer Dragons move tipped as Wests Tigers eye Justin Olam war chest

David Klemmer has moved closer to a Wests Tigers exit as the NRL decides whether to hand the club a salary cap boost over Justin Olam’s potential medical retirement.

David Klemmer has pulled out of playing reserve grade for Western Suburbs, seemingly the last straw in his chequered career at the Wests Tigers.

The former Test prop’s move to St George Illawarra appears a fait accompli after the 31-year-old withdrew from Western Suburbs’ NSW Cup clash with Newcastle on Saturday.

Klemmer has spent the past 12 months at the Wests Tigers with his future the subject of uncertainty, the latest factor being an option to extend for another year if he plays at least 14 games in 2025.

David Klemmer did not play NSW Cup on Saturday, despite being named. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

However, after being overlooked by Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall ahead of the team’s 10-8 loss to Newcastle on Friday night, Klemmer is set to part ways with the club and join Shane Flanagan’s Dragons, as soon as this week.

Klemmer’s exit from the Wests Tigers comes as the club also works through the likely medical retirement of centre Justin Olam.

Olam has undergone testing with the NRL as he edges towards a medical retirement that could leave his embattled former club with an unexpected war chest to spend on strengthening their squad this season.

This masthead can reveal that Olam visited with medicos from the NRL on Friday over the knee injury that has brought a premature end to his career. While it is understood Olam has made the decision to retire, the question remains whether the NRL will deem his latest setback a career-ending injury.

A medical retirement would allow the Tigers to remove Olam from their salary cap for this season, even though he would be paid the remainder of his deal.

If the NRL rules in the Tigers’ favour, it could mean they have an additional $400,000 to spend this year to strengthen their side as well as a further $600,000 next season — Olam was on contract until the end of 2026.

Justin Olam is dealing with an ongoing knee injury issue. Picture: Getty Images

Olam’s issues are purely medical as he struggles with a knee injury that has made it impossible for him to continue his career.

Olam struggled with a knee injury throughout 2024 but it is understood the injury that has forced his retirement is on the other knee.

He and the Tigers are expected to argue that it is a fresh problem rather than a lingering issue. The Tigers started with Adam Doueihi and Solomona Faataape in the centres on Friday night against Newcastle but Starford To’a is expected to return next week and come straight back into the side at the expense of the latter.

Faataape missed five tackles against the Knights and was given conniptions by NSW centre Bradman Best, who was a constant threat for Newcastle.

If the Tigers are successful in having Olam’s money removed from the salary cap, they are expected to immediately zero in on an outside back to add to their depth and quality in that area.