By Charlie Dumavi
THE PNG Kumuls and Melbourne Storm centre, Justine Olam, has extended his congratulations to his fellow PNG Kumuls teammates who made their National Rugby League (NRL) debuts in round 19 last weekend.
Jacob Alick and Dan Russel, both hard-running edge Kumul forwards, earned their NRL club debuts after making their international debut for PNG in England.
Olam praised the dedication and hard work of the two young forwards, stating that their NRL debuts were a well-deserved reward for their efforts. “Definitely, they both worked hard so congrats to them for working hard and believing,” Olam said.
He commended their perseverance and emphasised the message it sends to young aspiring rugby league players, encouraging them to never give up and to continue working hard to achieve their goals.
Jacob Alick, who proudly represented his grandmother’s heritage by donning the red, black, and gold jersey, made his debut for the Gold Coast Titans against the Dolphins.
On the other hand, Dan Russel made his debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Canberra Raiders. Russel, at 27 years old, may be one of the oldest debutants in recent NRL history. His relentless hard work and determination have enabled him to realize his dream of playing in the top grade of rugby league.
Both players unfortunately did not secure victories in their debut matches. The Dragons lost 24-20, while the Titans played an intense 80-minute game that ended in a 21-all draw, only to lose in extra time with a final score of 21-23 against the Dolphins. Nevertheless, Alick and Russel remain optimistic and are looking forward to successful careers in the games to come.
