Tigers discussing an out-of-favour deal Shock player swap: Storm star
In a possible player trade, the Tigers may soon acquire out-of-favor Storm center Justin Olam.
The Daily Telegraph claims that in exchange, the Storm would receive forward Shawn Blore and the Tigers would receive Olam.
Should the deal go through, it would mark the second player exchange between these two teams in three years, following the 2020 season loan of Storm hooker Harry Grant to the Tigers in exchange for center Paul Momirovski.
Given that Olam was in and out of the first grade team and was not chosen for the Storm’s qualifying final against the Broncos, the news that he was traded to Melbourne is hardly shocking.
Last month, Blore inked a one-year agreement with the Tigers through 2024, but the team also re-signed forwards Alex Twal and Alex Seyfarth, which has caused a bit of a standoff and increased Blore’s expendability.
If a swap is completed, it becomes a deal that benefits both parties equally.
While a team like the Tigers could definitely use a player with Olam’s experience and class in their youthful backline, Blore would provide the Storm pack some much-needed depth.
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NRL contract news: Isaiah Papali’i, a forward for the Wests Tigers, refutes rumors of Eels’ return.
Isaiah Papali’i, a forward for the Wests Tigers, has denied reports that he would make a comeback to Parramatta and has reaffirmed his loyalty to the struggling team through to 2024.
The back-rower joined Concord at the start of the season on a big contract; he had previously played for the Eels, a team that made it to the grand final, but Concord was predicted to take home the infamous NRL wooden spoon.
Although Papali’i has gained recognition as one of the league’s finest edge forwards in recent years, the Kiwi star has been unable to have a major impact on the Tigers’ troubles.
Despite just having two years left on his contract with the Tigers, the 24-year-old has been linked to a reunion with Brad Arthur and company for the upcoming season.
Tigers star Isaiah Papali’i shuts down Eels return rumours
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the explosive second-rower addressed the speculation regarding his NRL future and admitted any potential walkout wouldn’t sit well with him.
I’ve been hearing about the rumours… I heard it through social media and people sending it to me,” Papali’i said.
“I just told them those are rumours for a reason, I want to finish this season here and leave that stuff to all those people in the media talking about it. That’s rumours and not coming from me.
“I don’t want to be the guy that’s only been here for a year and kind of cops out on it after a tough season. I’m really looking forward to 2024 and hopefully we can turn this club around.
“It’s not fair on anyone… I haven’t even given myself a proper opportunity to make a statement at this club and that’s something I want to do. I believe we are heading in the right direction.
“Obviously it’s been a rollercoaster of a season. You need to go through those dark times to come out and obviously learn from it – we’re definitely gonna grow.”
Papali’i has crossed for two tries in 22 appearances this year, while his output in both attack and defence has been down from last season with the Eels.
With the Tigers staring down the barrel of a second-straight wooden spoon, Papali’i admitted the transition from success to a long-term rebuild approach hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
“I suppose the shift was difficult, but I was aware of the challenge when I enrolled,” he remarked.
“I had to rebuild the chemistry with both my halves and the middles because I knew going here that this wasn’t the same team as I had there.
“We struggled throughout the year, but I’ve had an opportunity to get comfortable around this club and hopefully I can take another step forward in my own game and contribute a bit more to the team.”
