Justin Olam is set to miss the start of the NRL season after suffering a suspected broken arm in the Storm’s first match of the pre-season challenge on Sunday.
The Papua New Guinean wrecking ball lasted only a few minutes before reeling out of a tackle in pain at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
He later used his jersey as a makeshift sling and Melbourne medicos said they feared Olam had fractured his right arm.
The 29-year-old is the biggest name casualty from the opening week of the NRL’s new pre-season competition, which offers a $100,000 winner’s purse.
Most coaches have rested their topline stars until the second week of the trials, but Craig Bellamy opted to give Olam some minutes.
It’s unlikely he’ll be fit for the Storm’s round one showdown with grand finalists Parramatta at CommBank Stadium as they try to preserve a miraculous record in the first match of the regular season. They’ve never lost an opening round game under Bellamy.
Storm centre Justin Olam suffered a suspected broken arm.Credit:Getty
Roosters coach Trent Robinson fielded a strong side in the second half with Storm recruit Brandon Smith, Victor Radley, Sam Walker and Matt Lodge all featuring after the break.
It was the first time Smith had lined up in a Roosters jersey after his high-profile switch from Melbourne.
More to come
