While most PNG Hunters fans are sad to lose Willie Minoga (Townsville Blackhawks), Kato Ottio (Canberra Raiders) and Israel Eliab ( London Broncos), we have a new kid in town called Justin Olam.
He may not have Ottio’s height or the running game of Eliab but his performance in the first three rounds has won the hearts of fans.
Hailing from the Sinesine District of the Simbu province, 22 year old Justin Olam is no stranger to rugby league.
He was a consistent performer for the Lae based Snax Tigers in the Digicel Cup starting from year 2014 untill last year.
His performance did not go unnoticed when he was rewarded a Kumul jumper to play in the 2015 Prime Minister’s XIII in which he scored a try.
Olam's performance also caught the attention of Hunters selectors.
He was drafted in the Hunters train on squad and eventually made the final 25 men squad.
In the trial matches Olam was very impressive with his strong defense and the tackle busts he made which caused trouble for the opposition .
That forced the Hunters Coach to promote him to a spot on the bench then to the starting team to play on the wing while regular winger Adex Wera was suspended by the QRL judiciary for a high tackle the previous weekend.
Last weekend against Tweed Head Seagulls,he did not disappoint again ,he kept busy on the defensive and also in attack made couple of line breaks.
But Olam says he still has alot to learn.
Rugby League runs in his family.
His uncle was a former PNG Kumul and Mendi Muruks Winger, Michael Mark.
Olam excels in Education also. He will be graduating with a degree in Applied Physics with Electronics and Instrumentation this year.
It is a goal for all Rugby League players in PNG to make it to the Hunters side and Olam said “it is a privilege to be an Hunter and now his goal is to play NRL one fine day".