Adam Doueihi set to walk out on Wests Tigers, Benji Marshall relationship ‘unfixable’
Star playmaker Adam Doueihi’s future at Wests Tigers appears all but over, with insiders describing the halfback’s relationship with coach Benji Marshall as unsalvageable.
Dean Ritchie
Adam Doueihi’s time at Wests Tigers appears over.
This masthead has been told that Doueihi’s appetite to remain at the club has all but evaporated and that he feels he can no longer play under head coach Benji Marshall.
Doueihi and Wests Tigers are expected to hold peace talks on Monday where the club will attempt to thrash out some deep-rooted issues and retain their star player.
But the marriage between Wests Tigers and Doueihi has been described as “unfixable.”
“Adam can no longer play under Benji – there’s no coming back,” said a source in the Doueihi camp.
Only a dramatic twist at Monday’s showdownwith Marshall could alter the “unfixable” relationship breakdown.
Doueihi’s shock decision to withdraw from Saturday’s game against Canberra wasn’t taken lightly given his passion for the club and was clear proof of his unrest.
The Tigers named their team for the Raiders match at 4pm on Tuesday but Doueihi was unaware he had been named as a reserve in jumper No.22 before the judiciary hearing.
“Adam felt totally disrespected when he fought at the judiciary because he knew Wests Tigers had to win the game,” the source said.
“The next thing he knew he was jersey 22 and in the reserves. He hadn’t been told by Benji.
“Can you imagine (Sharks coach) Craig Fitzgibbon dropping Nicho Hynes to jumper number 22 and not having a chat with him first?
“Adam doesn’t dislike Benji but the relationship is unfixable. For Adam to take such a drastic step to not play in a game is proof of that. Adam just doesn’t think he can play for Benji anymore.”
This masthead broke the Doueihi drama last Thursday.
While Doueihi may want to leave, he had a binding NRL contract until the end of 2029.
The Tigers may reject any bid to leave and try to pacify their star playmaker with Monday’s meeting with Marshall and most likely team manager Pat Richards.
Close allies have encouraged Douiehi to also invite Wests Tigers CEO Shaun Mielekamp to the meeting.
Doueihi also has some private concerns about the culture at Wests Tigers.
Mielekamp was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
Marshall will on Tuesday select his side to play Parramatta this Sunday at CommBank Stadium.
What unfolds at the meeting will determine whether Marshall names Doueihi in his side.
Looks like a copy/paste of the Galvin rort.........
