Adam Doueihi #227

The Eels were last place and we scored 22 points against them. Below are all Douihis games and starting position.

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Missed rounds 4, 12 and 15. Has been very reliable considering his past 3 ACL's. He's a good reliable player in any backline position and occasional lock. Hard to find a good utility player. Worth every cent we've paid for him. Hopefully he remains injury free.
 
This is a great outcome as I don't think we went overboard to keep him.

AD put himself in this position because he is good at a lot of things but not great at any of them. As a result he is capabale of playing plenty of positions but he has deficiencies in all of them. If we take the rose coloured glasses off after the win last week and his good showing v Manly and Easts we can get a better feel for how he fits going forward.

If we look at his overall capabilites he is: tall and rangy (191cm, 95kg) providing a good physical presence; he is quick, but is not explosive off the mark; his kicking game is above average for a centre or lock, but below average for a half; his ball playing ability is good for a centre or lock but lacks the finesse of a top class half; his leadership is flawed, he is vocal and usually competitive, but has poor off the ball effort; and he can kick goals, but is well below average ranked 21/25 for kickers that have attempted more than 20 goals this season (Stats from RLP).

As a centre:

Strengths
  • Strong Ball Carrier: Powerful running game, good post-contact metres.
  • Defensive Communication: Reads defence better in 2025 than many natural centres due to his playmaking experience.
  • Offloading Ability: Can keep the ball alive and create second-phase play.
  • Kicking Option: Can be used as an alternate kicker on an edge.
Weaknesses
  • Agility/Footwork: Lacks elite lateral movement to consistently beat top-tier centres one-on-one.
  • Speed: Not fast enough off the mark to break open games or handle the fastest outside backs defensively.
  • Positioning: Occasionally caught out when defending complex backline shapes; lateral movement is below average and he can be a defensive liability

As a 5/8:

Strengths
  • Running Threat: Best utilised when he plays direct and takes on the line.
  • Ball Playing Vision: Solid short passing game, especially on sweep plays or shape shifts.
  • Kicking Game: Functional kicking game; has slotted clutch goals and repeat sets.
  • Composure: Has shown he can direct a side when paired with a controlling 7.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not an Organiser: Needs a dominant half next to him to handle tempo and structure.
  • Lacks Creativity: Doesn't break down structured defensive lines with deception.
  • Inconsistent Game Management: Can go missing or overplay his hand in pressure situations.
  • Injury Impact: ACL issues have dulled his explosiveness on step and acceleration.
  • Takes too much on: Tends to starve his outside backs of posession as he runs too often.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a half:

Strengths
  • Competitive Nature: Willing to lead, has attitude and effort defensively.
  • Kicking under Pressure: Can handle some pressure kicking, including bombs and cross-field kicks.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not a Natural Organiser: Game management, set-up play, and tempo control are not his strengths.
  • Decision-Making Speed: Takes too long to assess defensive movements in tight spaces.
  • Limited Vision: Doesn't naturally find mismatches or manipulate edge defenders.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a lock:​

Strengths
  • Ball-Playing Middle: Can act as a link-man between halves and forwards – handy in attacking shape.
  • Physicality: Handles the contact defensively and offensively; decent tackle efficiency.
  • Utility Value: Adds tactical variety as a middle who can kick/pass.
  • Kicking Game: Provides an alternate kicker which will disrupt last play defensive patterns.
Weaknesses
  • Defensive Reads in Middle: Sometimes late in adjusting to decoys or A/B defenders.
  • Lacks Line-Bending Impact: Doesn’t hit the line as hard as other specialist locks.
  • Speed of Play: Not a natural quick-play-the-ball or first receiver at pace.
  • Not a Defensive Enforcer: Doesn't dominate collisions like top-tier 13s (e.g., Yeo, Murray, Radley).
  • Fitness: Currently does not have the motor to meet the workload requirements (80 minutes).
If we take all of this in you are looking at a player who is not elite in any of the positions he is capable of playing. AD can't be a starter in our team, at present, based on his current capabilities. It has been made clear to all an sundry that his long term future at Wests Tigers is not in the halves. He is capable of pulling the odd game out of the bag as a half when the opposition is ill prepared; however, he lacks most of the skills required of a half in a top 8 team.

He has potential to transition to 13, his defence appears to be up to the task (but he doesn't win the collision) and he can perform the link role. However, to make the transition he needs a with a lot of work on his fitness and probably needs to add at least 5kg to enable him to win the collision and take on the line effectively.

The ball is well and truly in AD's court. He can hit it down the line for a winner if he puts his mind to it and make the transition to 13 (if we don't buy one in over the off season) or he will sit behind a raft players in the starting lineup as depth.
 
This is a great outcome as I don't think we went overboard to keep him.

AD put himself in this position because he is good at a lot of things but not great at any of them. As a result he is capabale of playing plenty of positions but he has deficiencies in all of them. If we take the rose coloured glasses off after the win last week and his good showing v Manly and Easts we can get a better feel for how he fits going forward.

If we look at his overall capabilites he is: tall and rangy (191cm, 95kg) providing a good physical presence; he is quick, but is not explosive off the mark; his kicking game is above average for a centre or lock, but below average for a half; his ball playing ability is good for a centre or lock but lacks the finesse of a top class half; his leadership is flawed, he is vocal and usually competitive, but has poor off the ball effort; and he can kick goals, but is well below average ranked 21/25 for kickers that have attempted more than 20 goals this season (Stats from RLP).

As a centre:

Strengths
  • Strong Ball Carrier: Powerful running game, good post-contact metres.
  • Defensive Communication: Reads defence better in 2025 than many natural centres due to his playmaking experience.
  • Offloading Ability: Can keep the ball alive and create second-phase play.
  • Kicking Option: Can be used as an alternate kicker on an edge.
Weaknesses
  • Agility/Footwork: Lacks elite lateral movement to consistently beat top-tier centres one-on-one.
  • Speed: Not fast enough off the mark to break open games or handle the fastest outside backs defensively.
  • Positioning: Occasionally caught out when defending complex backline shapes; lateral movement is below average and he can be a defensive liability

As a 5/8:

Strengths
  • Running Threat: Best utilised when he plays direct and takes on the line.
  • Ball Playing Vision: Solid short passing game, especially on sweep plays or shape shifts.
  • Kicking Game: Functional kicking game; has slotted clutch goals and repeat sets.
  • Composure: Has shown he can direct a side when paired with a controlling 7.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not an Organiser: Needs a dominant half next to him to handle tempo and structure.
  • Lacks Creativity: Doesn't break down structured defensive lines with deception.
  • Inconsistent Game Management: Can go missing or overplay his hand in pressure situations.
  • Injury Impact: ACL issues have dulled his explosiveness on step and acceleration.
  • Takes too much on: Tends to starve his outside backs of posession as he runs too often.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a half:

Strengths
  • Competitive Nature: Willing to lead, has attitude and effort defensively.
  • Kicking under Pressure: Can handle some pressure kicking, including bombs and cross-field kicks.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not a Natural Organiser: Game management, set-up play, and tempo control are not his strengths.
  • Decision-Making Speed: Takes too long to assess defensive movements in tight spaces.
  • Limited Vision: Doesn't naturally find mismatches or manipulate edge defenders.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a lock:​

Strengths
  • Ball-Playing Middle: Can act as a link-man between halves and forwards – handy in attacking shape.
  • Physicality: Handles the contact defensively and offensively; decent tackle efficiency.
  • Utility Value: Adds tactical variety as a middle who can kick/pass.
  • Kicking Game: Provides an alternate kicker which will disrupt last play defensive patterns.
Weaknesses
  • Defensive Reads in Middle: Sometimes late in adjusting to decoys or A/B defenders.
  • Lacks Line-Bending Impact: Doesn’t hit the line as hard as other specialist locks.
  • Speed of Play: Not a natural quick-play-the-ball or first receiver at pace.
  • Not a Defensive Enforcer: Doesn't dominate collisions like top-tier 13s (e.g., Yeo, Murray, Radley).
  • Fitness: Currently does not have the motor to meet the workload requirements (80 minutes).
If we take all of this in you are looking at a player who is not elite in any of the positions he is capable of playing. AD can't be a starter in our team, at present, based on his current capabilities. It has been made clear to all an sundry that his long term future at Wests Tigers is not in the halves. He is capable of pulling the odd game out of the bag as a half when the opposition is ill prepared; however, he lacks most of the skills required of a half in a top 8 team.

He has potential to transition to 13, his defence appears to be up to the task (but he doesn't win the collision) and he can perform the link role. However, to make the transition he needs a with a lot of work on his fitness and probably needs to add at least 5kg to enable him to win the collision and take on the line effectively.

The ball is well and truly in AD's court. He can hit it down the line for a winner if he puts his mind to it and make the transition to 13 (if we don't buy one in over the off season) or he will sit behind a raft players in the starting lineup as depth.
I love your in depth analysis Jolls. You should it for each player in our team and tells us who is elite and good at everything. They do not exist in this team and certainly not on the coin he is on. Lets be realistic and accept he is probably the best value for money player in our team.
 
I love your in depth analysis Jolls. You should it for each player in our team and tells us who is elite and good at everything. They do not exist in this team and certainly not on the coin he is on. Lets be realistic and accept he is probably the best value for money player in our team.
If we kept him for $400K he is good value, but I'm willing to bet that our best value for money player right now is Taylan May.

Look AD is good value but if we think he is a starter and going to get us to the finals we are barking up the wrong tree. He could transition to be a good 13 but if he was a starting half we would be back to where we were at the end of 24 as the opposition will target him with ball in hand. He just doesn't have it.

There are elite players in our team. Luai, although struggling with ball in hand is one, Api is another. Bula is not elite, but has most of the goods. Terrell is elite - he is the only prop in the game doing what he does. I think he could be more effective for sure - but buy in an Alpha prop to go with him and we could have one of the best combinations in the competition. Sam F, appears to have dropped off from last year but I think that is more about him and Luai getting the combination and timing down pat more than anything. With time he could be elite, as long as he keeps his Khods to himself. 🤣

I wish I had time to do an analysis of every player, I would love to.
 
Missed rounds 4, 12 and 15. Has been very reliable considering his past 3 ACL's. He's a good reliable player in any backline position and occasional lock. Hard to find a good utility player. Worth every cent we've paid for him. Hopefully he remains injury free.
Yes you're right. Where is his week in/week out position though?...that is the point being litigated and whether we should have paid him 500k a season.

By the way...rd 12 and 15 were byes. He missed rd 4 only.
 
Interesting thoughts regarding that AD only plays for contracts. My personal opinion is that you see the best of AD is when he is the main man and has the opportunity to play as a half and direct the play. I think he doesn’t enjoy being in the centres as has to wait for the ball and his options to do something are limited.
true, he doesn't enjoy being center.

But that's where we need him. Players like Jamie Lyon, SDK, El Mazri or our Pat Richards who can set up tries from the Center/wing positions.

This really kills me, as we grow 5/8's on trees but lack quality in the centers. That said, AD has the attitude of a halfback and could grow there.
 
Maybe Jerome realised he doesn’t look anything like a 1.25 million dollar per season player without Douehi partnering him in the halves, so he’s agreed to reduce his wage, by 150k to give us more cap space to re-sign Douehi?
Seriiusly doubt that Luai would ever take a haircut.
 
Did AD end up signing for $350k per year?

Lot of people here wanted to pay him $500k to match the other offer…maybe Richo has been around the park a couple times on these player negotiations 🤔
 
Hope he has agreed , be good business,
Now play him in the half’s rest of year every week , I would either run Latu at 7 every week in reserves to get him going or off the bench 14 , reserve grade I think would be best for him and the nrl team as AD is simply better at this point and we can win more games with AD there now
 
Hope he has agreed , be good business,
Now play him in the half’s rest of year every week , I would either run Latu at 7 every week in reserves to get him going or off the bench 14 , reserve grade I think would be best for him and the nrl team as AD is simply better at this point and we can win more games with AD there now

The best for Latu would be furthering his NRL experience at the position
 
This is a great outcome as I don't think we went overboard to keep him.

AD put himself in this position because he is good at a lot of things but not great at any of them. As a result he is capabale of playing plenty of positions but he has deficiencies in all of them. If we take the rose coloured glasses off after the win last week and his good showing v Manly and Easts we can get a better feel for how he fits going forward.

If we look at his overall capabilites he is: tall and rangy (191cm, 95kg) providing a good physical presence; he is quick, but is not explosive off the mark; his kicking game is above average for a centre or lock, but below average for a half; his ball playing ability is good for a centre or lock but lacks the finesse of a top class half; his leadership is flawed, he is vocal and usually competitive, but has poor off the ball effort; and he can kick goals, but is well below average ranked 21/25 for kickers that have attempted more than 20 goals this season (Stats from RLP).

As a centre:

Strengths
  • Strong Ball Carrier: Powerful running game, good post-contact metres.
  • Defensive Communication: Reads defence better in 2025 than many natural centres due to his playmaking experience.
  • Offloading Ability: Can keep the ball alive and create second-phase play.
  • Kicking Option: Can be used as an alternate kicker on an edge.
Weaknesses
  • Agility/Footwork: Lacks elite lateral movement to consistently beat top-tier centres one-on-one.
  • Speed: Not fast enough off the mark to break open games or handle the fastest outside backs defensively.
  • Positioning: Occasionally caught out when defending complex backline shapes; lateral movement is below average and he can be a defensive liability

As a 5/8:

Strengths
  • Running Threat: Best utilised when he plays direct and takes on the line.
  • Ball Playing Vision: Solid short passing game, especially on sweep plays or shape shifts.
  • Kicking Game: Functional kicking game; has slotted clutch goals and repeat sets.
  • Composure: Has shown he can direct a side when paired with a controlling 7.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not an Organiser: Needs a dominant half next to him to handle tempo and structure.
  • Lacks Creativity: Doesn't break down structured defensive lines with deception.
  • Inconsistent Game Management: Can go missing or overplay his hand in pressure situations.
  • Injury Impact: ACL issues have dulled his explosiveness on step and acceleration.
  • Takes too much on: Tends to starve his outside backs of posession as he runs too often.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a half:

Strengths
  • Competitive Nature: Willing to lead, has attitude and effort defensively.
  • Kicking under Pressure: Can handle some pressure kicking, including bombs and cross-field kicks.
  • Strong Running Game: Off the back of momentum his strength allows him to dig into the line so defenders are committed, this provides time for his outside backs
Weaknesses
  • Not a Natural Organiser: Game management, set-up play, and tempo control are not his strengths.
  • Decision-Making Speed: Takes too long to assess defensive movements in tight spaces.
  • Limited Vision: Doesn't naturally find mismatches or manipulate edge defenders.
  • Kicking Game: He lacks control and his long kicking game is below average for an half.

As a lock:​

Strengths
  • Ball-Playing Middle: Can act as a link-man between halves and forwards – handy in attacking shape.
  • Physicality: Handles the contact defensively and offensively; decent tackle efficiency.
  • Utility Value: Adds tactical variety as a middle who can kick/pass.
  • Kicking Game: Provides an alternate kicker which will disrupt last play defensive patterns.
Weaknesses
  • Defensive Reads in Middle: Sometimes late in adjusting to decoys or A/B defenders.
  • Lacks Line-Bending Impact: Doesn’t hit the line as hard as other specialist locks.
  • Speed of Play: Not a natural quick-play-the-ball or first receiver at pace.
  • Not a Defensive Enforcer: Doesn't dominate collisions like top-tier 13s (e.g., Yeo, Murray, Radley).
  • Fitness: Currently does not have the motor to meet the workload requirements (80 minutes).
If we take all of this in you are looking at a player who is not elite in any of the positions he is capable of playing. AD can't be a starter in our team, at present, based on his current capabilities. It has been made clear to all an sundry that his long term future at Wests Tigers is not in the halves. He is capable of pulling the odd game out of the bag as a half when the opposition is ill prepared; however, he lacks most of the skills required of a half in a top 8 team.

He has potential to transition to 13, his defence appears to be up to the task (but he doesn't win the collision) and he can perform the link role. However, to make the transition he needs a with a lot of work on his fitness and probably needs to add at least 5kg to enable him to win the collision and take on the line effectively.

The ball is well and truly in AD's court. He can hit it down the line for a winner if he puts his mind to it and make the transition to 13 (if we don't buy one in over the off season) or he will sit behind a raft players in the starting lineup as depth.

He is also a dominant right side player which balances our team out when playing in the halves.
 
It is good to see one of our own juniors re-sign with the club. Let's hope he can keep up the form he displayed against the Bulldogs. One area he has improved significantly is his defence plus he is a big body which does have its advantages.
 
Yeah Great News

A talented and passionate player that really wants to be here resigns..

Good outcome.

He must be legit mentally tough. He reminds me of Scott Prince a little bit. Similar injury history at the same age. There is a bit of me that predicts that he could eventually make that 7 jumper his own next year. He's so underrated as a half. He's calm and makes really smart decisions that should be beyond a backup halfback. Even Cooper Cronk said so vs the Bulldogs.

But if Benji knows his players and can rotate Latu and Douehi, (injuries to both of them not withstanding), -- as he did against the Bulldogs, --- that's a lot of depth in 2026 and it makes me very excited...... against my better judgement.
 
I think he is our best option for number 14 if Latu is going to be out 7 next year, although based on form, I prefer Adam at 7 and Latu as our number 14. See what happens but happy with Adam staying for 2 years
Between the two injury prone fellas there is ideally one great season of footy at 7 in our last 4 matches and 2026.
 
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