Olam eagerly awaits grand final

PAPUA New Guinea international and Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam is eagerly awaiting Sunday’s showdown with the Penrith Panthers in what will be his first National Rugby League (NRL) grand final.
The former Lae Tiger, SP Hunter and Sunshine Coast Falcon scored a try to help the Storm beat Canberra 30-10 in their preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday night. Olam has become one of the most feared centres in the NRL and it is little wonder why the Storm have reached their fourth grand final in five years.
His Storm teammate Felise Kaufusi now rates him an elite NRL defender to the point where he feels sorry for teams trying to crack Olam’s side of the field.
“He’s been outstanding,” the Queensland Origin forward told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“His defence has been second to none.
“I always get a bit of a smile when I think about his work.
“His attitude to defending, he’s really aggressive and that is a part of his game he’s improved dramatically in the offseason.
“He’s one of the best centres going around. His combination with that left edge, Fox (Josh Addo-Carr) on the side, Cameron Munster.
“I wouldn’t want to be attacking against them.
“He does his homework and every weekend he’s up against a pretty good centre and seems to get the better of them.”
Olam has made a habit of turning dreams into reality but the notion of winning a grand final leaves him at a loss for words, even if the thunder that could come from his home nation would be heard all the way at Homebush.
“I don’t know … it would be a big highlight for my career,” the 26-year-old said.
“Coming to play NRL is big but to go and win it … wow. I can’t find the words that sum it up.”