Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers have agreed on a player swap that will see Justin Olam and Shawn Blore trade jerseys for the start of the 2024 NRL season.
In the second player transfer between the two clubs in recent years, Olam and Blore will begin training with their new teammates on Monday.
Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said the agreement between the two clubs will give both players a fresh start for the 2024 season.
“Juzzi is first and foremost a great person and much-loved by the players, coaches, staff and of course Melbourne Storm members and fans” Rodski said.
“He has not only worn the purple jersey with passion, but he has also represented his home country and community in Papua New Guinee with great pride.
It is always difficult to say goodbye to players who have made such a great contribution to our Club like Juzzi, but it also presents both he and Shawn a new opportunity to continue their careers in a new setting.
Justin Rodski CEO, Melbourne Storm
“Juzzi leaves a premiership player and will always be Storm player #187 and welcomed back at AAMI Park in the future.” Rodski said.
Olam is renowned for his fearless style of play and is a cult hero in his home country, Papua New Guinea. He has proudly represented Papua New Guinea 14 times, the PNG Prime Minister’s XIII twice and the PNG Nines three times.
He was a member of the 2020 NRL Premiership winning team and the joint winner of the 2021 Dally M Centre of the Year. Since making his debut for Melbourne Storm in round 9 2018 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, he has made 104 appearances and scored 46 tries for the club.
Rodski said the inclusion of Blore, who signed a three-year deal with Storm, will add further strength to the forward pack.
“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.”
Blore made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels in 2020 but missed the entire 2022 season due to a serious knee injury, returning with 15 NRL appearances last season.
Both players will head to their respective new clubs next week.
