NRL rocked by star's sudden retirement

Wests Tigers star Justin Olam has announced his immediate retirement from NRL on medical grounds.

At just 31, the PNG trailblazer was advised to call time due to the severity of a knee injury sustained in Round 18, 2024

Olam managed just 13 matches with the Tigers after moving north from the Melbourne Storm last year.

He finishes his career with 117 NRL games and a premiership ring. He was also named Dally M Centre of the year in 2021.

“I came here hoping just to play one game, and I’ve been blessed a hundred times over to have played more than 100,” Olam said in a statement.

“Hopefully, I can inspire a young kid — whether here or back home in PNG — to chase their dreams.

“With God, anything is possible. I wish I could keep playing, but my body just won’t allow it anymore.

“I believe everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan.

“Thank you to all my friends, family, and anyone who has supported me throughout my rugby league journey — I appreciate you all.”

From humble beginnings in a small town in Papua New Guinea, Olam took the league by storm and will leave a lasting legacy.

Congratulating his player, Tigers coach Benji Marshall said: “We congratulate Justin on an incredible career in the NRL and for Papua New Guinea.

“He will go down as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — players to represent PNG.

“It’s been an absolute privilege having Justin at our Club, and we wish him and his family all the very best in the next chapter of their journey.”