Olam OK with Storm training

JUSTIN Olam has described the first few weeks of pre-season training as “very hard” but the former Hunters star told Storm TV it was a challenge he was relishing.
“It’s been very hard, the first two weeks especially with the weight (training) programme, trying to cope up, getting up early in the morning  and doing training and then going to work,” Olam, who joined the Storm last month to start pre-season training with the first grade squad, said.
“It’s been very hard, but it’s a challenge I’m glad has come to me.”
Olam, who turns 23 on Dec 23, said he had learned a lot from the sessions and interacting with the rest of the Storm squad.
The Sinasina, Simbu native said it was an honour to be training with the likes of Storm legend Billy Slater, a man he looked up to when growing up watching the NRL and playing junior league in PNG.
“Obviously, there are a lot of stars  at the Storm. They’ve got a lot of experience and everything is here at the club. I’ve followed Billy Slater since I was a kid growing up and the first few weeks of training was great. I learned so much from being around players like Billy.
“I’ve gained a lot from him, not just on the field but seeing his attitude outside as well.”
Olam admitted he missed his family and the culture of his homeland but said it was something he was quickly coming to terms with and learning to manage in the Victorian capital.
“It’s not like in PNG where the family circle is big. Here everybody minds their own busines.During my free time I don’t do much but I’m an adventurous person so when I settle in I’ll try and have a look around and see the place.”
In terms of the coaching he’s recieved from master Craig Bellamy. Olam said the level was certainly raised from anyhting he’d gone through before.
“The playing style and coaching styles from the Hunters and the Storm are obviously different. The Storm are an NRL side so the level is very high from what I’m used to.”
He said presently all he was concerned with was perfecting the basic skills and soaking in the Storm/NRL cutlure.
The 92kg winger will be competing head top head with Melbourne’s crop of young backs who are all in contention for a backline spot.
Even with the departure of Fijian winger Marika Koroibete to the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition and former fullback Cameron Munster touted as a five-eighth, the race for a berth on the wing will see Suliasi Vunivalu lock one of the spots down while the other is open with Olam, Sunshine Coast Falcons Young Tonumaipea, former Townsville Blackhawks fullback Jahrome Hughes and former Wests Tigers speedster Josh Ado-Carr all in the running.