Papua New Guinea star Justin Olam signs new Melbourne Storm deal
Papua New Guinea international Justin Olam has signed a new contract extension with Melbourne Storm.
The reigning Dally M Centre of the Year will be with the club for the next four seasons following his new deal.
He joins captain Christian Welch, Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates, Reimis Smith and Jack Howarth in committing to Storm long-term in recent months.
Olam’s renewed contract will see him with the club until at least the end of the 2026 campaign. It will bring his time with the Storm to 10 seasons.
He made his NRL debut in 2018 after impressing for the Melbourne’s feeder club in sunshine Coast Falcons, making three appearances.
He enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2019, playing 14 games. Olam followed up with 21 in 2020 and 25 in 2021 when he was voted the best centre in the competition. He won the Dally M award alongside then-Penrith’s Matt Burton.
The 28-year-old has played in all 13 fixtures for Storm so far this season, scoring six tires. He has won nine caps for PNG and is likely to feature for them at this year’s Rugby League World Cup in England. He also represented the Kumuls at the 2017 World Cup tournament, scoring four tries in four appearances.
To date, he has made 76 appearances in the NRL, scoring 36 tries.
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Justin Olam on new deal
“Storm has been great for me. I love the club, and everyone here, and love living in Melbourne,” he said.
“This really feels like home.
“A big thank-you goes to Craig Bellamy and all the coaches who have put so much faith in me and time into developing my game and all the Storm members and fans both here in Australia and back home in PNG.”
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