Olam debuts for Storm

THE long–awaited dream for Justin Olam to play first grade footy in the NRL came true yesterday.
The 24-year-old made his debut for the Melbourne Storm in their 34-14 loss to competition leaders St George Illawarra Dragons. Olam, who plays for Melbourne’s feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Q-Cup, was drafted into the side to play in the centres after Curtis Scott succumbed to an ankle injury.
Wearing jumper number 22, thousands of rugby league fans in Papua New Guinea sat in front of their television sets to watch Olam on debut
The Sinasina man completed the match putting a try assist for winger Josh Addo-Carr, who bagged a hat trick of tries.
Olam was impressed with his front on defence nailing in-form Dragons centre Euan Aitken in the second half while driving out winger Jason Nightingale over the sideline before coming up with a try-saving tackle late in the game.
Kumul teammate Nene Macdonald, who played on the left wing for the Dragons, also had a solid game.
Olam became the second Papua New Guinean to play for the Storm following in the footsteps of PNG great Marcus Bai, who last played with the Storm alongside Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
Olam also becomes the first player from the PNG Hunters programme and play in the NRL.
PNG Kumuls and Hunters coach Michael Marum applauded his achievement referring to NRL as the competition every rugby league player in PNG dreamed of playing in.
“He did well for the Storm despite the result there and I am proud of him,” Marum said.
“He was lucky enough to earn of spot with Curtis Scott out injured but now the challenge is for him to keep a spot at that top level and hopefully we see more of him.
“I think he played with confidence as a debutant with the offloads, runs and tackles and I am sure PNG is proud of him.
“He has proven that there is a pathway and I know that he had been waiting for this opportunity for two years and he finally got it.”
Marum said the weekend was special for the PNG Kumuls seeing two members of the national team make their debuts in the NRL.
Kumul back-rower Rhyse Martin also made his debut for the Canterbury Bulldogs on Thursday, scoring the first try in their 22-20 loss to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
“The NRL is where we want our players to go and having two of our own make their debuts over the weekend is an achievement,” Marum said.
“Rhyse is a leader for the Kumuls and I am proud of him as well.
“Their performances in the NRL can only open eyes of the NRL scouts to consider some more of our players.”