THE Wests Tigers are set to announce another big signing in the coming days, with Storm centre Justin Olam reportedly agreeing on a deal with the reigning wooden spooners.
The Tigers got their main off-season target in Jarome Luai on a five-year deal from 2025, and according to The Daily Telegraph, Olam will also be heading to Concord.
It is being reported that Olam only needs to pass a fitness test in the coming days and he’ll be a Tiger immediately, with the Storm willing to accommodate the PNG international’s move and release him from his contract three years early.
Having fallen out of favour at the Storm, Olam has been linked with the Tigers for quite some time now.
The other name that has been in the discussions of a Olam-to-Tigers swap is emerging forward Shaun Blore, who last month reportedly agreed to a deal with the Storm from 2025.
It is expected that the Tigers will allow Blore to head to the Storm immediately in what will essentially be a straight swap for Olam.
The Tigers move gives Olam a chance for a fresh start at another club, given he was in and out of the Storm side last season and spent time in the Queensland Cup.
At his best, the 30-year-old Olam would add plenty of punch to a Tigers backline in dire need of some spark in attack.
Meanwhile, the Penrith Panthers could again soon be facing the salary cap squeeze, with two back rowers weighing up their future at the club.
With Jarome Luai set to leave the Panthers at the end of season 2024, after Penrith were unable to match a five-year $6 million offer from the Tigers, another grand final hero in Luke Garner could also be lost to a rival club.
The WWOS are reporting that Garner is receiving interest from NRL clubs as well as Super League teams.
The 28-year-old, who played 21 minutes off the bench in Penrith’s grand final epic against the Broncos, comes off contract at the end of next season.
Garner joined the Panthers for 2023 after spending the previous five seasons with the Tigers.
Garner’s manager Tas Bartlett says the back rower “would love” to be a Panther beyond 2024, but is realistic about the salary cap situation.
“Penrith would love to keep him and Luke wants to stay but the salary cap is what it is,” Bartlett told WWOS.
“Ivan (Cleary) gave him his top grade debut at the Tigers a few years ago and is a fan of the way he plays. Luke has had interest both here and in England but will wait and see what happens.”
Another Penrith back rower who could be on the move is Zac Hosking, who was last month seen given a tour of Raiders HQ in Canberra.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has since fanned the flames of an immediate switch, considering Hosking is under contract at Penrith until the end of the 2024 season.
“He was just having a look around but there is no suggestion he will be here in 2024,” Stuart told WWOS.
“We are talking to him about 2025 and showed him around – nothing more.”
Hosking linked up with the Panthers in 2023 after starting his career at the Broncos.
The son of former Panther David, Hosking was a key part of Penrith’s third straight premiership winning campaign, appearing in 21 games (17 starts). – Fox League.
