NRL 2023: Rugby league wedding news, Tigers, Storm discuss player swap for Justin Olam, Shawn Blore

Which rugby league stars have spent the off-season tying the knot or proposing to do so? While Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm discuss a player swap.

Love is in the air in rugby league land. Retired Cronulla star Wade Graham tied the knot with long-term partner Karianne at Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada.

About 35 friends and family from Australia travelled. Among the guests included Graham’sformer teammates Paul Gallen, Matt Moylan, Jeff Robson, Kurt Capewell and James Maloney. Luke Brooks also married his partner Tahlia on Saturday.

(L-R) Wade Graham's wedding and Stephen Crichton's proposal.

This follows the Adam Elliott and Millie Boyle marrying last week while Canterbury prop Max King also exchanged vows with Christy Young.

Stephen Crichton has also used the off-season to propose with a very elaborate plan on overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge to Leone Lauafia.

Also popping the question was Dragons recruit Kyle Flanagan who got down on one knee in Hawaii to Caitlin Airey.

Kyle Flanagan with his partner Caity Aiery. Picture: Instagram

SAINT

Rugby league is back baby! It’s only been two weeks since the grand final but already top-flight rugby league has returned, with the international window dominating our screens for the next three weeks.

SINNER

Eddie Jones and Hamish McLennan having overseen the biggest debacle in Australian sport. Jones was parachuted into the role to give the sport some sign of life. All it has done is erode any potential goodwill which was left. It is a long road back from here.

Hamish McLennan (left) and Eddie Jones (centre) have eroded any goodwill that Rugby Union had left in Australia. Picture: Tim Hunter.

SHOOSH I

Who is the NRL chief executive driving other club bosses to distraction with his inflated sense of his own opinion?

SHOOSH II

Which NRL coach is hopeful of catching up with a Super Bowl-winning mentor during a trip to the US in the coming weeks?

SPOTTED I

Junior Paulo’s parents flying to Townsville to watch their son fight on the weekend. Paulo knocked out ex-Maroons prop Ben Hannant.

Junior Paulo’s parents flew to Townsville to watch their son claim a dominant victory over Ben Hannant. Picture: Alix Sweeney

SPOTTED II

St George Illawarra Dragons utility Jack Bird sporting bleached hair while holidaying in Las Vegas.

SPOTTED III

Angus Crichton in France taking in the Rugby World Cup as he ponders his next career move. Crichton was on hand to support some of his friends who were playing for Scotland.

Dane Gagai at Mackay Indigenous RL Carnival

SPOTTED IV

NRL stars Dane Gagai and Cody Walker combining with Josh Dugan to win the Mackay Indigenous Rugby League Carnival last weekend.

SPOTTED V

Melbourne duo Christian Welch and Jonah Pezet playing golf in Queenstown, New Zealand.

SPOTTED VI

James Graham at Surfers Paradise SLSC having dinner with his family.

* * * * *

TIGERS-STORM EXPLORE SHOCK PLAYER SWAP

Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm are in talks about a potential player swap which would see premiership winner Justin Olam joining the Tigers next season.

The Tigers and Melbourne have held discussions about Olam signing with the Tigers and the Storm securing forward Shawn Blore in a rare player swap. The Storm have chased Blore already this year and were close to securing him a few months ago when he was given permission to leave the Tigers.

A late minute change of heart prompted the Tigers to hold onto Blore but a few things have changed significantly in their forward stocks since then. Originally they played to have at least one of Alex Twal or Alex Seyfarth leave the club now with Twal secured on a long-term deal and Seyfarth also re-signing for two years, the Tigers now believe they could let Blore go — for the right player.

The Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm are in talks about a possible player swap, which could see Justin Olam joining the Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

Melbourne chased Shawn Blore earlier in 2023 and have renewed interest in the Tigers forward. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Storm’s renewed interest in Blore has prompted the discussions surrounding Olam.

Blore only has 12 months left on his contract while Olam has a deal until the end of 2026.

Olam had an unhappy season at the Storm where the 29-year-old was axed to Queensland Cup for the first time since 2019.

Blore would give the Storm pack starch after their big men were criticised at times this year.

Olam had been linked to the Super League after being sounded out by new Warrington coach Sam Burgess, but that is unlikely.

The Tigers and Storm have shown their hand previous with a historic player swap in 2020 when Harry Grant and Paul Momirovski traded clubs.

The Tigers circumstances have changed since denying Blore a release, with Alex Twal securing a new deal with the club. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

Melbourne also tried something similar ahead of 2022 when it considered giving up Brandon Smith for one year before he joined the Roosters in exchange for Stefano Utoikamanu. That was swiftly rejected by the Tigers.

If Olam does leave, the Storm will consider shifting Nick Meaney to centre provided Ryan Papenhuyzen can return to full fitness. They also have youngster Sualauvi Fa’alogo ready to play regular first grade. The Storm are yet to add a player for next season despite Tariq Sims (Catalans), Jayden Nikorima (Catalans), George Jennings (released), Jordan Grant (released) and Tom Eisenhuth (released) leaving. The Tigers have been fair more active with Latu Fainu (Sea Eagles), Samuela Fainu (Sea Eagles), Jayden Sullivan (Dragons) and Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos) among the new recruits.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Rugby league wedding news, Tigers, Storm discuss player swap for Justin Olam, Shawn Blore