Usually just after AprilHow long until May is announced? Got to happen now, surely?
Oooh, that’s good gear Nick. Don’t waste all your good material off the pod mate.
He has good Material?
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Justin Olam medically retires, paving the way for Taylan May and Lachlan Galvin at Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers have received salary cap dispensation from the NRL following Justin Olam’s retirement, in a move that is expected to give them the financial artillery to re-sign teenage star Lachlan Galvin.
March 28, 2025 - 2:50PM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/40ef2ab60f12271fe9494bb267e61156#comments
Wests Tigers have received salary cap dispensation from the NRL for centre Justin Olam in a move that is expected to give them the financial artillery to launch an all-out bid to retain teenage star Lachlan Galvin.
This masthead understands that the Tigers were given the green light by the NRL on Thursday after seeking a cap exemption for Olam, who was forced to medically retire due to a knee injury suffered last year.
The move means the Tigers will have Olam’s salary removed off their cap for the remainder of this year and next. Throw in the departure of David Klemmer, who has joined St George Illawarra, and the club is likely to have an additional seven-figure sum to use to bolster their squad.
At the top of their hit- list is Galvin, the prodigious teenager who is off contract at the end of next season and able to speak to rival clubs when he enters the final year of his deal on November 1.
The Tigers have made no secret of their desire to tie Galvin to a long-term deal and the Olam agreement means they will now have the monetary muscle to bump up his salary cap next season as part of any long-term offer.
Galvin is expected to attract interest from a handful of clubs if the Tigers are unable to get a deal done before the start of November.
Parramatta and the Bulldogs have been prominently linked with Galvin while Manly are now in the market for halves given the imminent departure of Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Tigers will get first shot at tying him down. They now have seven months to secure him to a long-term deal and they are expected to make their move in coming weeks now that Olam’s future has been determined and they know where they stand from a financial perspective next season.
Any offer from the Tigers to Galvin is expected to include a significant upgrade next year and an ongoing commitment that could be worth as much as $1 million a season.
Dylan Brown’s mega-deal with Newcastle has reset the halves market in a big way and Galvin stands to be one of the main beneficiaries.
The Tigers have also been linked to former premiership-winner Taylan May, who recently had domestic violence charges dropped earlier this month.
If May is to join the Tigers, he will partner with his brother Terrell in a new look side which has the club with two wins and one loss to start their year.
Olam thanked the Tigers faithful and his fans throughout his journey.
“With God, anything is possible. I wish I could keep playing, but my body just won’t allow it anymore,” Olam said.
“I came here hoping just to play one game, and I’ve been blessed a hundred times over to have played more than 100.
“Hopefully, I can inspire a young kid — whether here or back home in PNG — to chase their dreams. I believe everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day, it’s God’s plan.
“Thank you to all my friends, family, and anyone who has supported me throughout my rugby league journey — I appreciate you all.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall said it was an honour to have Olam at the club and wished him the best in his future.
“We congratulate Justin on an incredible career in the NRL and for Papua New Guinea,” Marshall said.
“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, and we wish him and his family all the very best in the next chapter of their journey.”
Olam finishes his career with a premiership, along with a Dally M centre of the year award.
Usually just after AprilHow long until May is announced? Got to happen now, surely?
Oooh, that’s good gear Nick. Don’t waste all your good material off the pod mate.
He has good Material?
Not a lot, that’s why he can’t go wasting it in these chats.
😉
There it is Nick, the wittiest thing you’ll ever say…and only we heard it 😂
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Great news that salary cap dispensation confirmed. I think there is room in our 30 for another centre/wing option (look this week, no Skelton and we are back to faatape) and the odds are Doubie will leave. Bring May in, he has been out of the game, he will take time to regain fitness.
Great news that salary cap dispensation confirmed. I think there is room in our 30 for another centre/wing option (look this week, no Skelton and we are back to faatape) and the odds are Doubie will leave. Bring May in, he has been out of the game, he will take time to regain fitness.
100%, I want May here asap
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I think some, if not most, of Olam's money will be going towards a Galvin upgrade
would be nice not to hear his name every time a club needs a half. Hopefully luai commits for the full 5 years before Nov and we have a few years of stability in those positions.I think some, if not most, of Olam's money will be going towards a Galvin upgrade
would be nice not to hear his name every time a club needs a half. Hopefully luai commits for the full 5 years before Nov and we have a few years of stability in those positions.I think some, if not most, of Olam's money will be going towards a Galvin upgrade
Yeah, the constant Galvin talk is exhausting.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Usually just after AprilHow long until May is announced? Got to happen now, surely?
Oooh, that’s good gear Nick. Don’t waste all your good material off the pod mate.
He has good Material?
Not a lot, that’s why he can’t go wasting it in these chats.
😉
There it is Nick, the wittiest thing you’ll ever say…and only we heard it 😂
No way. When he gave it to Garry on the latest pod was the best. When Garry said that he had a line of women outside his door.
Great news that salary cap dispensation confirmed. I think there is room in our 30 for another centre/wing option (look this week, no Skelton and we are back to faatape) and the odds are Doubie will leave. Bring May in, he has been out of the game, he will take time to regain fitness.
100%, I want May here asap
Im on the fence with May. Firstly, I feel like we need a second rower much more than a centre. With Toa, AD, Naden and Faatape, there is enough there to work with. Makasini in the wings as well should help close the loop. I am a fairly outspoken critic of seyfarth, he just isn’t a first choice nrl player in my team.
My main concern though is character and culture. I think back to those early WT teams were we had some grubby, drug using players like hoppa, Craig field, terry hill, craigie, Matt seers, McGuinness, etc under the fearless leadership of captain grub Terry Lamb. I found it very hard to like that team and enjoy the wins, even though some of them were great players. My fear of stacking our team with players like Matt lodge and taylan May is that it starts to shift the culture. Carrying 1 or 2 reformers is fine, but we need to get the balance right.
Great news that salary cap dispensation confirmed. I think there is room in our 30 for another centre/wing option (look this week, no Skelton and we are back to faatape) and the odds are Doubie will leave. Bring May in, he has been out of the game, he will take time to regain fitness.
100%, I want May here asap
Im on the fence with May. Firstly, I feel like we need a second rower much more than a centre. With Toa, AD, Naden and Faatape, there is enough there to work with. Makasini in the wings as well should help close the loop. I am a fairly outspoken critic of seyfarth, he just isn’t a first choice nrl player in my team.
My main concern though is character and culture. I think back to those early WT teams were we had some grubby, drug using players like hoppa, Craig field, terry hill, craigie, Matt seers, McGuinness, etc under the fearless leadership of captain grub Terry Lamb. I found it very hard to like that team and enjoy the wins, even though some of them were great players. My fear of stacking our team with players like Matt lodge and taylan May is that it starts to shift the culture. Carrying 1 or 2 reformers is fine, but we need to get the balance right.
88 grand final still annoys me so I relate to your Lamb comments.
Also agree re May. We have something special developing atm. The team are playing for each other, have bought into the system and are moving forward big time. All new additions to our roster have added a lot to this culture/attitude shift. Anyone who comes in needs to add to this development not take it backwards.
Nothing is black and white though. Terrell May has been close to our best. Bringing in his brother could keep him settled and focused.
Taylan is a good player, certainly good enough for our top17 if he plays to his panthers quality. Terrell is our best FRF in a decade or more and he is Taylans older brother from a tight family. Let’s not over think this. Look what Sione has done with the motivation to play with his brothers
@skippa13 I agree an additional brut force forward is required , IMO this is a piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed . When a quality player is on the market in a position that needs filling the catch 22 raises it’s head ,at this stage a forward is more important but a signing of a high quality back is also needed. Over to you Richo!
