Storm sign Olam

 By JACK AMI
HUNTERS star Justin Olam has been signed by the Melbourne Storm for next season, with an option for 2018.
The 22-year-old has had a meteoric rise in 2016 after earning a Hunters berth earlier in the year and making the left wing his own with several eye-catching performances for coach Michael Marum.
“I couldn’t believe it nor say anything when they told me but this is a great opportunity and I look forward to playing in the NRL but first I have to help the Hunters in the Q-Cup,” Olam said yesterday in Port Moresby.
“It’s is unbelievable to get an NRL contract this early.”
Olam, from Dinga village, Sinesine, Chimbu, has rugby league pedigree, with uncle Michael Mark a former Kumul winger and older brother Jackins playing for the Gulf Isapea in the Digicel Cup.
Jackins said his family were extremely proud of Justin and his success.
Olam, who graduated with a degree in applied physics from the Univerisity of Technology in Lae this year, has scored six tries from eight games so far but his work around the park for the Hunters has singled him out as someone who can make the transition to the next level.
Whether it is making every hit up count or pulling off big tackles to pushing himself and team-mates hard at training, Marum said Olam exhibited the right attributes to become a professional footballer.
PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Bob Cutmore said the contract was subject to Olam passing a full medical check in Brisbane next week by Storm medical staff before submission to the NRL for registration. “Olam will remain with the Hunters for the rest of the 2016 season as we strive to win our inaugural premiership but, dependent on the medical exam, he will have the opportunity to spend a week in July (Hunters bye week) with the Storm in Melbourne,” Cutmore said. The Storm contract, similar to Albert brothers Wellington and Stanton at the Penrith Panthers as well as Kato Ottio at the Canberra Raiders, would see Olam based in Melbourne and training full-time as a member of their NRL squad which includes Australian and Queensland Sate of Origin captain, Cameron Smith and stars Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.
“Hopefully our success in the Q-Cup and now our success in the Test arena will see other players given the chance to try their skills in the NRL,” Cutmore said.
He said the details of the offer would remain confidential.