Growing up in PNG, Justin Olam would walk almost two hours to get to the nearest village with a TV to watch his beloved NRL footy.
Fast forward almost 20 years and hundreds near his home in rural PNG will do the same when Olam features in Melbourne’s NRL preliminary final with Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
As a kid, Olam first became starry eyed when he caught a chance glimpse of Storm great and PNG hero Marcus Bai on TV while visiting a village for a wedding.
Bai may still be a household name in PNG 16 years since his last NRL game but it seems Olam is rivalling his popularity after earning a Storm jersey of his own.
Certainly the 25-year-old centre is the name on everyone’s lips at his home, Gon village in PNG’s Highlands Region.
“Everyone back at home are excited about what is happening with the Storm,” Olam told AAP.
“Hundreds of people still gather around the TV to watch the games.
“There are people who are starting to follow me (in PNG).
“But Marcus (Bai) is a legend over there. Everyone knows his name from my village to everywhere.”
Olam had to cross three rivers just to watch footy on TV as a kid.
But Olam’s path to the Storm was arguably just as unorthodox.
While he grew up loving Brisbane Broncos and Billy Slater, Olam never played junior rugby league because his mum wanted him to focus on school.
Ironically he got his first taste of footy at a PNG university studying applied physics.
A PNGRL stint followed before becoming a member of the inaugural 2013 PNG Hunters’ Queensland Cup squad.
Remarkably he played a Test for PNG in 2016 before he got his first game for the Hunters.
Melbourne came calling in 2016, realising a dream by making his NRL debut last year.
PNG fans began to sit up and take notice after Olam secured a starting spot this year, playing every game since round 15.
His cult status was secured with a try scoring hat-trick in round 24 that sealed the minor premiership for Melbourne.
His PNG following may now be nearing fever pitch ahead of the preliminary final but a humble Olam was keeping a level head.
“It doesn’t take much for people to get excited about rugby league back at home,” Olam said.
“Everyone wants to watch it and play it.
“But I am trying not to get too excited. I am just grateful to have been given this opportunity.”