Justin Olam, centre for Wests Tigers, is facing the possibility of medical retirement due to persistent knee issues that have required surgery during the off-season. The 31-year-old has struggled to resume training, prompting the club to arrange discussions with his management regarding his future this week.
Last season, Olam made a limited contribution, playing only 13 games as the Tigers ended up with the wooden spoon for the third consecutive year. Once hailed as one of the top centres in the game, Olam’s status diminished after his time with Melbourne, where he was part of the 2020 grand final team before transferring to Concord.
Throughout his career since debuting in 2018, he has scored 52 tries in 117 first-grade matches. As he did not participate in any pre-season trial games, other players like Starford To’a and Adam Doueihi have taken positions in the centres. Additionally, Brent Naden, who filled a wide role for the Tigers, has recently sustained a knee injury and may face an extended recovery time.
The upcoming discussions surrounding Olam’s career will determine whether he will continue playing or be compelled to retire, marking a potentially significant turn in his journey as a professional athlete.