Benji Marshall has affirmed that Justin Olam has nothing to prove to the Melbourne Storm as the Papua New Guinea centre makes his return for the Wests Tigers to face his former club.
Marshall confirmed that Olam, who has been sidelined for the past two weeks due to a knee injury, will rejoin the Tigers for Saturday’s match against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval.
As revealed by AAP last month, Olam has been receiving plasma injections in his knee and has been on a restricted training regimen.
Marshall emphasized that the premiership-winning centre is ready to play against the Storm, a team that released him after an injury-plagued 2023 season.
“Justin will come in for Luke (Laulilii),” Marshall said. “He’s got no point to prove, he’s just got to do his job. It’s pretty fair to say every game he’s given us everything. He brings an energy and an intent with how he plays and that’s what we love about him.”
Olam’s return will move Solomona Faataape to the wing as the Tigers aim to extend their winning streak at Leichhardt Oval. The Tigers have won their last three games at the venue, marking their longest unbeaten run at the historic ground in over a decade.
Earlier this week, the club announced that starting next season, Leichhardt will host only three games, with the Tigers playing four games at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta and four at Campbelltown. This decision comes despite the ground receiving a $40 million upgrade from the Federal and NSW Government, which has boosted the Tigers’ performance this season.
“There’s no doubt coming to play here really gives us a bit of a lift, but at the same time you’ve still got to choose to play the right way,” Marshall said. “It’s a special place to play, no doubt, but it doesn’t help you win or lose. You’ve still got to bring the crowd into it by playing tough with energy and intent and then they come with you. We have to do that, we’re playing a pretty fair side.”
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