Adam Doueihi #227

[Jedi_Tiger]

I’m far from convinced about AD at 7. A few games at end of the season is one thing. Starting from round 1 and going an entire season is another.

I remember the game against parramatta last year at combank, AD was ordinary at 7 that day, slow and bereft of ideas.
I fear if he is steering the ship at 7 we will be in trouble.
However we need him goalkicking and hopefully he can become a hybrid type of 13 role in the middle and let latu play a bit wider

 

[wstigers11]

Our disorganisation was on show in our last game. Up 28 - 12 at the break, one team came out fired up with a tactical response, while we floundered and consequently lost the 2nd half 0 - 28.
Surely we must have known they would spread to the left at every opportunity.

Latu came off injured in that game & the cowboys one. Like to think if he stays on we close those games out, because as soon as Heath replaced him both teams knew he couldn’t tackle. Heath needs to stay in cup

 

[Telltails]

I reckon his kicking game in those last few rounds was valuable to the attacking options. He has got a good bomb in him which all squads need to be able to utilise at different times. Defensively also showed good physicality at the backend of the season and is definitely less exposed than outwide. Did enough back end of the season to get first crack imo.

 

[twentyforty]

Latu came off injured in that game & the cowboys one. Like to think if he stays on we close those games out, because as soon as Heath replaced him both teams knew he couldn’t tackle. Heath needs to stay in cup

I dont disagree with that.
Even given Latu going off after 57min Titans scored 3 tries while he was on and 3 after he left the field.

 

[Jolls]

Keeping the roles simple but the location & commitment of the roles is 100% key.

Fundamentals are also important.

The challenge I have with our formation is the impact defensively. Because we don’t practice the setup and formations it then means we can’t defend it, as defensively we don’t train for it. It drives over commitment & over playing an individual hand.

The amount of times players over clock defensively or in attack forming congestion or looking lost that leads to opposition scoring / line break / easy field position was high - could pick it multiple times in most games. It impacts the scoreboard or even field positioning & workload.

Rugby League is actually a very simple game majority of time. We can do something different but we need to respect the fundamentals as well in doing so.

Totally agree, especially with our defensive structures. In attack I am willing to take a little risk - doing what everone else does won't win a premiership. Cutting edge might just get us enough of an edge to do that - proabaly nto this year but potentially witing the next few.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Totally agree, especially with our defensive structures. In attack I am willing to take a little risk - doing what everone else does won't win a premiership. Cutting edge might just get us enough of an edge to do that - proabaly nto this year but potentially witing the next few.

Agree Jolls funnily enough I suggested a few days back with our attack that a balance of structured and eyes up was the go, but it was met with speculation.

It's too easy for opposition defenses after they have studied the video to shut down the same boring plays.

 

[HUNT 101]

Have watched Latu alot before he joined and just not convinced he is a 7. His best position is where Luai plays as a left edge controller. He doesn’t have a great kicking game and isn’t a big organizer whilst also struggles to rove around the park. Latu is one heck of a talent, will only grow and is a game changer but not as convinced as others are on him at halfback.

Once Latu is fit AD will stay at 7 , Latu will come off the bench as a rover and fill in and out of the half's ,in attack AD one side Latu the other and Jerome dancing side to side gets the other teams guessing ..All of them have got a nice little grubber kick for our wingers and centre's to clean up.
TRY.☝️🐯

 

[Jolls]

Agree Jolls funnily enough I suggested a few days back with our attack that a balance of structured and eyes up was the go, but it was met with speculation.

It's too easy for opposition defenses after they have studied the video to shut down the same boring plays.

You are on the money; this is the only way unstructured players are effective. They know that somewhere there is someone to hit once they finsh fart-arsing about with the ball.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

You are on the money; this is the only way unstructured players are effective. They know that somewhere there is someone to hit once they finsh fart-arsing about with the ball.

Possibly finish off the play with an in-house signal practised at training to provide an overlap/gap run, as long as it doesn't get lost under fatigue.

If you're reading this Benji hope you're flogging the boys.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Pool hmm

"Nothin Suss".......😂😂

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Hope AD stays healthy this year as he will cement the 7 jersey.
He is so much better than people give him credit for.

He DEFINITELY lifted his defence in 2025. I never doubted his attacking ability or ever under estimated his value as a kicker including both goal kicking and in general play.
However, until he went on to prove me (and many others on the forum) wrong and had a stellar year contrary to so many pre season predictions he'd be a defensive liability.

If he can replicate that defensive effort this season and maintain his potent attacking ability, I think we'll see both Adam and Romey
-with Adam taking some of the attacking work off him- have their best seasons for the club.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

He DEFINITELY lifted his defence in 2025. I never doubted his attacking ability or ever under estimated his value as a kicker including both goal kicking and in general play.
However, until he went on to prove me (and many others on the forum) wrong and had a stellar year contrary to so many pre season predictions he'd be a defensive liability.

If he can replicate that defensive effort this season and maintain his potent attacking ability, I think we'll see both Adam and Romey
-with Adam taking some of the attacking work off him- have their best seasons for the club.

Agree re AD defensively in 25, he made massive strides I thought.

We also need to remember he hasn’t had an injury free full preseason and serious run in the body/legs for ages - if he can get his fitness right, defensively keep improving then he provides some very positive value to us outside his running game.

 

[Jolls]

Agree re AD defensively in 25, he made massive strides I thought.

We also need to remember he hasn’t had an injury free full preseason and serious run in the body/legs for ages - if he can get his fitness right, defensively keep improving then he provides some very positive value to us outside his running game.

Provided he has his head in the game for 80 minutes at a time!

 

[mtd#2]

start with May and Twal and then bring on Bunty
we look good up front.

AD as a 13 in attack can be the yeoh type of role and push luai and Latu Fainu that bit wider

Pole needs to be in the mix.. he was one of our best last year before he picked up the injury

 

[426Tlgerland]

AD for mine will be our 7 until he plays bad , Latu who I like due topi tough aggressive approach seems a bit brittle but that could change and I hope it does but Adam’s kicking is strong , huge kicks to keep opposition teams down their end , bombs that are hard to take , and he is a big body for a half , he could also attack the line close in with strength , he runs hard and is quick for a big guy , and to have Sam F and KPP on each side if they show aggressive hard running will keep opposition teams on the backward step , close up you have KPP , SamF , Adam and Twally running at the line and close up we should be using the likes of Bunty , Hunt , Pole to bash their way in for tries , speed is also there with May Jnr in the middle and Skelton is also a big body who should be used close up , come in off the wing for a run after say SamF ,

 

[tig_prmz]

Keeping the roles simple but the location & commitment of the roles is 100% key.

Fundamentals are also important.

The challenge I have with our formation is the impact defensively. Because we don’t practice the setup and formations it then means we can’t defend it, as defensively we don’t train for it. It drives over commitment & over playing an individual hand.

The amount of times players over clock defensively or in attack forming congestion or looking lost that leads to opposition scoring / line break / easy field position was high - could pick it multiple times in most games. It impacts the scoreboard or even field positioning & workload.

Rugby League is actually a very simple game majority of time. We can do something different but we need to respect the fundamentals as well in doing so.

Great points.

I like what Jolls was saying in terms of a hybrid 13/7 role, but AD is a skill based half, not a managing half so I doubt he can make a transition to an organising 13.

In fact, there aren't many organising 13s in the comp other than Yeo and Murray.

The management part of halfback play cannot be learned through teaching only, you need to go with your experiences. Setting up the entire set to finish at Point A, having back ups in case we finish at Point B or C etc doesn't come natural to anyone, it needs to be repeated.

What Douehi did for a short period last year cannot be a template as it cannot be repeated week in and week out.

In our entire existennce, I don't feel like we have developed an out and out halfback. The reason being it takes years of repetitions, coaching and intellect to pull it off.

If Latu is that person then we need to keep him at NSW Cup to get the reps in. Overcommunicate, direct the boys around, learn how to set up sets etc.

 

[tig_prmz]

With what we have ot our disposal I think Benji needs to throw out the convention of the conventional 13 and 7, For us I think they are just numbers if our goal is to run a combination of Luai, AD and Latu. for this to wrok we need to develop a system that works for us; similar to the way Conulla developed it with Wade Graham.

I totally agree with you about our lack of structure but with the players we have I don't think we need to overcomplicate it. Latu would benefit from a bit more structre and Luai from a little less. What we require structure wise is players on their edges running lines that work for thir play maker so thay can be hit as required. It gives our playmakers options. Sure we can incorporate block plays etc, but not too much as it stifles natural playmakers.

Who drives the boat? That's where our problem lies; if AD is the leader he says he is - time to step up and show his football IQ. To me he needs significant development - he can play, and play well, in bursts; but he is a lazy player on both sides of the ball at times. If he wants to be in the halves mix he needs to step up in a big way - not just one or two games or in patches during games.

Benji has a lot to do over this off season to get us firing. He has made the decision not to recruit a specialist 13 so let's see what he makes of what we have. How this flows down into the lower grades is another big question mark that needs to be addressed at some point.

Wade Graham played L edge not 13.

The only other teams that I can think did what you're saying is Dogs in 2014 with Graham, Kasiano etc, however even that was short- lived.

Douehi and Latu have a good boot on them, whereas Luai has the smarts. I feel Luai needs to be that organising half, however, albeit setting it up for last tackle for Douehi/ Latu.

I agree with what you're saying in terms of creating our own brand and maybe that can be an organising 6 but a kicking 7. Kind of like Dragons 2010 when Hornby did the organising and Soward did the kicking.

 

[Jolls]

Wade Graham played L edge not 13.

The only other teams that I can think did what you're saying is Dogs in 2014 with Graham, Kasiano etc, however even that was short- lived.

Douehi and Latu have a good boot on them, whereas Luai has the smarts. I feel Luai needs to be that organising half, however, albeit setting it up for last tackle for Douehi/ Latu.

I agree with what you're saying in terms of creating our own brand and maybe that can be an organising 6 but a kicking 7. Kind of like Dragons 2010 when Hornby did the organising and Soward did the kicking.

You're right Graham did not play with a 13 on his back but they used him as a running half at times, while also playing a link role out wide as a bally player. I guess the point I was truing to make is that they used him for the skills he had as opposed to the number on his back; which is the point I was trying to get at.

The Dragons example is another good one, as was Hunt as a 7/9.