Olam remains focused

AFFECTIONATELY known as ‘the human brick’, Justin Olam has spent less time running directly at National Rugby League forwards lately and more time relaxing at home in Melbourne, Australia.
“I haven’t been doing too much in isolation – just a little bit of training, sleeping and watching movies,” the Papua New Guinea Kumuls and Storm centre said last week.
“I completed ‘John Wick 1-3’ and I’ve been watching ‘Friends’.
“I’ve also been watching a bit of rugby league and basketball players’ highlights.
“Since we have been in isolation, I talk with Tui (Kamikamica) the most – we talk every day.
“I chat with Judda (Turahui) once in a while and Nicho (Hynes) checks up on me.
“I left Nicho on ‘seen’ once — not intentionally, it’s a long story — and now he’s off me. But he’s my boy so hopefully we’re good.”
Softly spoken and always quick to laugh, his gentle manner away from the football field belies his fierce playing style, which has won him countless fans in Melbourne and thousands more in his native PNG, where he is fast becoming a cult hero.
“The season has been interrupted and we are not in our usual routine for now but I’m motivated to keep training hard,” Olam said.
“Talking to my family back home always keeps me motivated.
“It makes me appreciate what I have right now.
“It took hard work to get here and it is going to take hard work to keep improving.”
Ahead of the season restart on May 28, Olam said he was confident the Storm would pick up where they had left off.
Melbourne are yet to drop points after their opening two rounds of the Telstra Premiership.
“My goal for this season is to be the best version of myself on and off the field,” he said.
“I want to contribute to a premiership and I’m hopeful of that this year.” – melbournestorm.com