The Storm and Wests Tigers have agreed on a player swap that will see Justin Olam and Shawn Blore switch clubs before the start of the 2024 season.
Both players have signed three-year contracts with their new clubs, with premiership-winning centre Olam leaving the Storm to join the Wests Tigers and Blore moving to Melbourne after three seasons with the joint venture.
Both will start training with their new teammates on Monday.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski paid tribute to Olam and mentioned that Blore has been a player of interest to the club for several years.
“Juzzi (Olam) is first and foremost a great person and much-loved by the players, coaches, staff and of course Melbourne Storm members and fans” according to Rodski.
“It is always difficult to say goodbye to players who have made such a great contribution to our Club like Juzzi, but it also presents both he and Shawn a new opportunity to continue their careers in a new setting.”
“[Shawn] is a player that has been of interest since his junior rep days, leading the Panthers’ SG Ball side to a Premiership in 2018, and shown great resilience having returned from injury to play 15 games last season with Wests Tigers.”
Benji Marshall, the Wests Tigers’ head coach, said Olam would provide his team with a world-class presence in the centres.
“He is a proven winner with experience at the highest level. “His leadership and communication skills will be extremely beneficial to our club,” Marshall said.
“We wish Shawn all the best with his future and thank him for his contribution to Wests Tigers.”
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