Benji Marshall insists Justin Olam has nothing to prove to the Melbourne Storm as the Papua New Guinea centre returns for Wests Tigers to face his former club.
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Marshall confirmed Olam, who has been sidelined for the last two weeks with a knee injury, will come back into the Tigers side for Saturday's meeting with the Storm at Leichhardt Oval.
As AAP revealed last month, Olam has been receiving plasma injections in his knee and has been on limited training duties.
But Marshall says the premiership-winning centre is poised to return against a Storm side who were happy to cut him loose after an injury-affected 2023 campaign.
"Justin will come in for Luke (Laulilii)," Marshall said.
"He's got no point to prove, he's just got to do his job.
"It's pretty fair to say every game he's given us everything.
"He brings an energy and an intent with how he plays and that's what we love about him."
Olam's return will shift Solomona Faataape to the wing as the Tigers look to continue their winning streak at Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers have won their last three games at the venue, their longest unbeaten run at the antiquated ground in over a decade.
Earlier this week the club announced from next season Leichhardt would host just three games, with the Tigers playing four games at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta and the same number at Campbelltown.
That's despite the ground receiving $40million from the Federal and NSW Government to give it a significant upgrade and the boost the hostile ground has given the Tigers this season.
"There's no doubt coming to play here really gives us a bit of a lift, but at the same time you've still got to choose to play the right way," Marshall said.
"It's a special place to play, no doubt, but it doesn't help you win or lose.
"You've still got to bring the crowd into it by playing tough with energy and intent and then they come with you.
"We have to do that, we're playing a pretty fair side."
Australian Associated Press
