Reading some of the forums opinions on players makes me feel like I am on a prank show waiting for everyone to reveal they have just been taking the piss the whole time. I just cannot fathom how people could watch last year and not believe that Doeuihi is an outstanding young player with significant potential. In my opinion he was our best player last year, improved as the season went on, displayed genuine leadership and is only 22 years old.
I think obsession with speed is such limited perspective in all football codes. Sure we'd all love to have it, but there are many ways to win against your opponent on the football field. Players like Burton, Hiku, Croker, Gagai, Parker and many more have all succeeded as centres without top end speed in recent years. I personally think Doeuihi was great at centre the few games he had and would of continued to succeed if he didn't have someone as poor as Mbye inside him.
I think that Hastings and Doeuihi will be our long term halves. Hastings has shown how effective you can be as a half without top end speed when you can shorten the middle third of the field with your positioning, hold the line with footwork and depth of engagement and create confusion by using multiple options and being a big body threat yourself. I'm not a Brooks hater and wouldn't mind him staying and Doeuihi playing in the centres, but I think he moves on when the club inevitably asks him for a significant pay reduction on his next contract.
In summary I just can't understand how people can't see Doeuihi as one of the best players and assets the club has.