Tigers confirm Justin Olam retirement due to chronic knee injury
Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league, bringing an end to one of the most inspirational careers in the NRL after failing to overcome a serious knee injury.
The 31-year-old Papua New Guinea international, who rose from humble beginnings in the remote village of Gon to become a premiership winner with Melbourne, has called time on his career following advice from Wests Tigers medical staff.
Olam suffered the knee injury in Round 18 last year and did not feature in the opening rounds of 2025, despite undergoing surgery and PRP treatment in the off-season.
With his recovery stalling, Olam confirmed he could no longer push his body to NRL standards.
“I came here hoping just to play one game, and I’ve been blessed a hundred times over to have played more than 100,” Olam said in a club statement.
“Hopefully, I can inspire a young kid — whether here or back home in PNG — to chase their dreams. With God, anything is possible. I wish I could keep playing, but my body just won’t allow it anymore.”
Olam retires with 117 NRL appearances to his name — 104 for the Storm and 13 for the Tigers — along with 14 Test caps for Papua New Guinea and the 2020 NRL Grand Final.
He was crowned Dally M Centre of the Year in 2021 and became the first graduate of the PNG Hunters to crack the NRL, blazing a path for aspiring Pacific Island players.
His impact extended far beyond the field. Olam’s toughness, humility and pride in representing PNG made him a cult hero across the rugby league world.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall paid tribute, saying: “He will go down as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — players to represent PNG. It’s been an absolute privilege having Justin at our club.”
The Tigers will honour Olam during Sunday’s clash with the Warriors at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, where they are currently a $1.60 chance at winning with the top online bookmakers.
A further celebration is planned in Round 10 when they face the Storm at AAMI Park.
Olam’s retirement also provides cap relief for the Tigers, who are now expected to explore mid-season roster moves.
For a player who once trained using a sand-filled water bottle, Olam exits the game as a hero to an entire nation — and a true rugby league trailblazer.
