A powerful band of Tigers old boys has initiated a strong push for a new voice to immediately assume the Wests Tigers captaincy for this season as the club grapples with a difficult choice.
Dean Ritchie
3 min read
February 21, 2022 - 8:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
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A powerful band of Tigers old boys has initiated a strong push for 23-year-old Adam Doueihi to immediately assume the Wests Tigers captaincy for this season.
The club is yet to endorse incumbent skipper James Tamou amid increasing speculation the former Test and Blues prop, who turns 34 later this year, may be replaced.
“I think it’s time for someone younger,” said former Tigers fullback Garry Jack. And ex-Balmain Test star Larry Corowa said: “I wouldn’t go with Luke Brooks.”
News Corp spoke to multiple sources in and around the club but each was perplexed about who’d be named 2022 captain. Even board members say they haven’t been told.
Despite the club’s round one match fast approaching – it’s against Melbourne on March 12 – Tamou told Fox Sports last Friday night he was unaware whether he would be retained as the club’s leader.
Wests Tigers are the only Sydney club yet to formally announce their skipper for this year.
Tamou, Doueihi and Brooks would be frontline contenders although Alex Twal could gain some support.
But it is Doueihi who has secured some heavyweight backing from a core of former Tigers legends.
Brooks was a stand in captain ahead of Doueihi last year when Tamou was out with a foot injury. There is a suggestion Brooks may start the year as skipper before Doueihi returns from a knee injury some time after round 10.
“The club needs to do something different and they need to test the waters. They can’t keep doing the same thing. It’s been over a decade since we played in the finals,” said Tigers great Ben Elias.
“We can build a club around Doueihi. Adam is the complete footballer and is highly regarded and respected by the players.
“He is also presentable off the field. He is articulate and has a great image. We could do a lot worse than a kid like him.
“I’d go for one of the halves – Brooks or Doueihi. One of those two has to be the captain. If pushed, I’d go with Doueihi.”
While Brooks is highly regarded, Jack was another to support Doueihi as captain.
“Doueihi is a very good player,” Jack said. “He is going to be in your first grade side every week, that’s the big thing, he can read a game and he’s one of your best players.
“I think he’s a player of the future and seems quite a respectful young player. Hopefully he will be at the club long-term.
“He has grabbed his opportunity since coming from Souths.”
Legendary winger Corowa added: “Doueihi would probably be the prime contender. For the last three years, he has consolidated a first grade spot.
“He has the respect and is starting to play good football.
“But if Adam was injured, I’d look at Jackson Hastings. He is a good organiser and he talks on the field. He’s not afraid to say his piece.
“I wouldn’t go with Brooks for the big ‘c’.”
Former Tigers champion Tim Brasher said the club needed a leader more than a veteran voice.
“A captain has to be a leader and someone not afraid to make a hard call because his mates might not like it,” Brasher said.
“I would go more with a leader than someone else who has been there longer.”
“If he (Doueihi) has the boys behind him, and they think he’s a leader, then they will follow him. I have seen him play but don’t know what he’s like.
