Adam Doueihi #227

To sum this all up, Benji went about the positional switch poorly but this, in no way excuses, Douehi's petulant reaction. I agree with others' assertions that Benji was probably caught on the hop by the Douehi clearance at the judiciary and that he was set to blood Andrews. Adam trained as a half in the offseason and was a star for us in our early season winning run. However, he starred as a runner, standing in the centre position, not as a ball playing half. Fact is, he has played like crap since he came back from injury, running across field and bungling many scoring opportunities. I've said before, he is a ball hog and you can't have a ball hog in the halves. Andrews is an elite passer and has been carving it up in Cup for a long time. He deserves his chance and Benji needs to try something different to boost our attack. Next year, it should be a Fainu/ Andrews combo in the halves with Douehi, if he can pick up his toys, playing at lock. Adam has the makings of an excellent 13 if he'd just realise it. I really think someone needs to get in his ear, tell him he should pull his head in and, see reality and think of his team instead of himself. Finally, does anyone remember the previous shenanigans of demanding a new contract of 900k to play in the halves? Douehi has a history of behaving like a spoiled brat to put it mildly. The Kimmorley revelations confirm that.
 
Tired Tiger said:
The inside story of why Adam Doueihi refused to play for Wests Tigers

Christian Nicolussi
July 24, 2026 — 6:27pm





A
A
A
Adam Doueihi is expected to report for training on Monday – and is even prepared to come back through reserve grade – but he hopes his bombshell decision to stand down from Saturday’s match against the Raiders leads to what he believes is long-overdue change at Wests Tigers.

For too long, the Tigers have struggled near the bottom of the NRL ladder.



Adam Doueihi and the Tigers come to terms with another loss in a season that has spiralled out of control.Getty Images
For too long, the Tigers have paid more than they should for the wrong players, who have simply not delivered.

And for too long, the Tigers have failed to properly address the need to lift standards and drive the professionalism required to become a successful club.

Michael Maguire is one of the strictest coaches in the game, and even he found the Tigers too much.

Doueihi felt he could no longer sit back and let things slide. Hence, his drastic action, which he hopes, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly, will shine a light on the bigger problems bubbling away at the joint venture.



The Tigers lost to the Dragons in round 18 to give the Red V just their second win of the season.Getty Images
Doueihi could not be contacted by this masthead on Friday.

The same sources, however, confirmed Doueihi’s decision this week to make himself unavailable for the trip to Canberra had nothing to do with being moved from the halves to lock.

Coach Benji Marshall had watched his team score just 22 points in their past four games. In the hope of igniting the attack, he decided to bring in some fresh blood – 19-year-old free spirit Javon Andrews – to partner Jarome Luai in the halves, and move Doueihi to No.13, where he can roam as the third playmaker and, it was hoped, create some chances with his running game.

Doueihi first heard at the start of the week that he was under consideration for a move out of the halves, but struggled to get confirmation from Marshall.



Benji Marshall has had plenty to deal with in his third season as Wests Tigers coach.Peter Rae
He headed to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night where he had a careless high tackle charge downgraded, meaning he was free to play against the Raiders.

However, Doueihi remained unsure of what Marshall was thinking until he marched into the coach’s office on Thursday morning.

When Marshall confirmed Doueihi would be the one to make way for Andrews in the halves – not Luai, the marquee man who is headed to Parramatta at the end of the season – the 27-year-old felt aggrieved. Maybe there was even a bit of resentment, and a feeling of being taken for granted.

Doueihi and Marshall exchanged words.



Wests Tigers were flying in April - before it all went wrong.Getty Images
Doueihi then sat down with chief executive Shaun Mielekamp, the same sources confirmed, to explain why he did not want to play this weekend, why his withdrawal would hopefully send a message that he was no longer going to be the “fall guy” for the club’s wider problems, and how he had become sick of seeing the club he loves stumble through another year of mediocrity.

After talking to Mielekamp, Doueihi made his way to the northern end of Concord Oval, sat in the morning sun and had a heart-to-heart with Pat Richards, a club legend who is now football manager.

Marshall addressed the media at 9am, spoke about Doueihi and Andrews, and outlined his plan for how the changes would work. Doueihi and the coach spoke for a second time later that morning. Not wanting to be a distraction for the team, Doueihi told Marshall he was happy to lie low, if that was what was best for the club for the next couple of days.

When news broke that afternoon that Doueihi had refused to play, fans and commentators were quick to turn on him, branding him selfish.

“Do what’s best for the team, Adam,” was the consensus.

Former interim Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley hopped on radio to reveal Doueihi had threatened to withdraw from a game when asked to play a different position a few years earlier.

“I had a conversation with Adam Doueihi [where he said] if I’ve not been picked at five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather play five-eighth in reserve grade,” Kimmorley said on SEN radio on Thursday night.

“I didn’t have the balls to do it as the coach at that stage.

“I’d been given some advice that centre is probably how he should play the rest of this year and his words were purely, if he doesn’t play five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather be picked at five-eighth in reserve grade.”

Doueihi has told those close to him he is prepared for anything that comes his way. He has no intention to leave the club. He re-signed in March for two years on a deal that takes him to the end of 2029.

While many this week have questioned Doueihi’s loyalty to the Tigers, it is worth noting he funded his own trip to Brisbane while injured to cheer on the players at Magic Round this year. Other teammates have not even bothered to turn up to games in Sydney when they have been injured.

After a promising start to the season – they were equal top of the ladder after six rounds, which had fans dreaming of an end to their 15-year finals drought – the Tigers’ campaign has unravelled, losing six of their past seven games to slump to 14th on the ladder.

Related Article

NRL 2026
Adam Doueihi rules himself out of Tigers match after bust-up with Benji
That slump has taken its toll, and a tipping point was inevitable – not just for Doueihi.

Last weekend Alex Twal, one of the most mild-mannered players in the game, lost his cool and was sin-binned for slapping Canterbury’s Jaeman Salmon in the face. Twal returned for the final minute, only to lock horns with Bulldogs forward Josh Curran.

Twal was still seething after the game and refused to shake Curran’s hand.

His actions reflected the frustrations of a player who knew the season was slipping away, and who feared the wrong people were going to be blamed.

The Tigers trained at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday morning before travelling to Canberra. A jersey presentation was due to take place for Andrews in the nation’s capital later in the afternoon.

Doueihi will not be at the game, with sources suggesting he was unsure if he should get away for a few days. The Tigers must win to be any chance of keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

Teammates have been sending Doueihi messages and checking in on him.

He will be OK. Especially if the Tigers finally get serious and start holding people to account.










https://twitter.com/smh
Click to expand...
What a dribble of an article. Offered no other reason bar the position change for his sooking, yet he is somehow holding the club to account.
 
Tired Tiger said:
The inside story of why Adam Doueihi refused to play for Wests Tigers

Christian Nicolussi
July 24, 2026 — 6:27pm





A
A
A
Adam Doueihi is expected to report for training on Monday – and is even prepared to come back through reserve grade – but he hopes his bombshell decision to stand down from Saturday’s match against the Raiders leads to what he believes is long-overdue change at Wests Tigers.

For too long, the Tigers have struggled near the bottom of the NRL ladder.



Adam Doueihi and the Tigers come to terms with another loss in a season that has spiralled out of control.Getty Images
For too long, the Tigers have paid more than they should for the wrong players, who have simply not delivered.

And for too long, the Tigers have failed to properly address the need to lift standards and drive the professionalism required to become a successful club.

Michael Maguire is one of the strictest coaches in the game, and even he found the Tigers too much.

Doueihi felt he could no longer sit back and let things slide. Hence, his drastic action, which he hopes, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly, will shine a light on the bigger problems bubbling away at the joint venture.



The Tigers lost to the Dragons in round 18 to give the Red V just their second win of the season.Getty Images
Doueihi could not be contacted by this masthead on Friday.

The same sources, however, confirmed Doueihi’s decision this week to make himself unavailable for the trip to Canberra had nothing to do with being moved from the halves to lock.

Coach Benji Marshall had watched his team score just 22 points in their past four games. In the hope of igniting the attack, he decided to bring in some fresh blood – 19-year-old free spirit Javon Andrews – to partner Jarome Luai in the halves, and move Doueihi to No.13, where he can roam as the third playmaker and, it was hoped, create some chances with his running game.

Doueihi first heard at the start of the week that he was under consideration for a move out of the halves, but struggled to get confirmation from Marshall.



Benji Marshall has had plenty to deal with in his third season as Wests Tigers coach.Peter Rae
He headed to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night where he had a careless high tackle charge downgraded, meaning he was free to play against the Raiders.

However, Doueihi remained unsure of what Marshall was thinking until he marched into the coach’s office on Thursday morning.

When Marshall confirmed Doueihi would be the one to make way for Andrews in the halves – not Luai, the marquee man who is headed to Parramatta at the end of the season – the 27-year-old felt aggrieved. Maybe there was even a bit of resentment, and a feeling of being taken for granted.

Doueihi and Marshall exchanged words.



Wests Tigers were flying in April - before it all went wrong.Getty Images
Doueihi then sat down with chief executive Shaun Mielekamp, the same sources confirmed, to explain why he did not want to play this weekend, why his withdrawal would hopefully send a message that he was no longer going to be the “fall guy” for the club’s wider problems, and how he had become sick of seeing the club he loves stumble through another year of mediocrity.

After talking to Mielekamp, Doueihi made his way to the northern end of Concord Oval, sat in the morning sun and had a heart-to-heart with Pat Richards, a club legend who is now football manager.

Marshall addressed the media at 9am, spoke about Doueihi and Andrews, and outlined his plan for how the changes would work. Doueihi and the coach spoke for a second time later that morning. Not wanting to be a distraction for the team, Doueihi told Marshall he was happy to lie low, if that was what was best for the club for the next couple of days.

When news broke that afternoon that Doueihi had refused to play, fans and commentators were quick to turn on him, branding him selfish.

“Do what’s best for the team, Adam,” was the consensus.

Former interim Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley hopped on radio to reveal Doueihi had threatened to withdraw from a game when asked to play a different position a few years earlier.

“I had a conversation with Adam Doueihi [where he said] if I’ve not been picked at five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather play five-eighth in reserve grade,” Kimmorley said on SEN radio on Thursday night.

“I didn’t have the balls to do it as the coach at that stage.

“I’d been given some advice that centre is probably how he should play the rest of this year and his words were purely, if he doesn’t play five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather be picked at five-eighth in reserve grade.”

Doueihi has told those close to him he is prepared for anything that comes his way. He has no intention to leave the club. He re-signed in March for two years on a deal that takes him to the end of 2029.

While many this week have questioned Doueihi’s loyalty to the Tigers, it is worth noting he funded his own trip to Brisbane while injured to cheer on the players at Magic Round this year. Other teammates have not even bothered to turn up to games in Sydney when they have been injured.

After a promising start to the season – they were equal top of the ladder after six rounds, which had fans dreaming of an end to their 15-year finals drought – the Tigers’ campaign has unravelled, losing six of their past seven games to slump to 14th on the ladder.

Related Article

NRL 2026
Adam Doueihi rules himself out of Tigers match after bust-up with Benji
That slump has taken its toll, and a tipping point was inevitable – not just for Doueihi.

Last weekend Alex Twal, one of the most mild-mannered players in the game, lost his cool and was sin-binned for slapping Canterbury’s Jaeman Salmon in the face. Twal returned for the final minute, only to lock horns with Bulldogs forward Josh Curran.

Twal was still seething after the game and refused to shake Curran’s hand.

His actions reflected the frustrations of a player who knew the season was slipping away, and who feared the wrong people were going to be blamed.

The Tigers trained at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday morning before travelling to Canberra. A jersey presentation was due to take place for Andrews in the nation’s capital later in the afternoon.

Doueihi will not be at the game, with sources suggesting he was unsure if he should get away for a few days. The Tigers must win to be any chance of keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

Teammates have been sending Doueihi messages and checking in on him.

He will be OK. Especially if the Tigers finally get serious and start holding people to account.










https://twitter.com/smh
Click to expand...
Dribble. Stop running to the media. Seriously go get a real HB Benji.
 
craigtob said:
Gee wiz
He was our best player for the first 8 rounds and now the coach wants to move him away from the position he is best at….smells very strange
I think there is more to this story and other players will come out and support A.D.
That is going to place the coach in a very bad place
Click to expand...
How about his last 8?
 
NT_Tiger said:
Benji made a coaches call. He is the coach. Douehi dogged it, as you observed.
Click to expand...
The problem isn't the decision, it's the timing. If I'd been told on Thursday that I was being moved from the halves into the middle to get belted for a game on Saturday, I'd have argued my case too. That's a massive positional change with barely any time to prepare.
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
Doueihi's manager is savvy and switching him from the halves will impact his contract value. The argument being if you're not using him in the halves, he could earn much more at another club as a half now, hence the request for release. The new commission will also be welcome.
Click to expand...
So it’s got nothing to do with what’s good for the club,, it’s just someone trying to use this club as a platform to set up a new contract and he has the media white washing it as a player standing up for the clubs values.. hogwash ..
 
I never want to see AD in our jersey again. The disrespect to the fans and the club isn’t acceptable. You can’t treat the fans like that. You can’t refuse to wear the jersey when picked. All of us fans would kill to have played just one game in that jersey no matter the position selected. To also destroy Andrew’s debut is unacceptable.

Even Galvin rocked up when he knew he was going to get booed. He had more back bone than what AD has done. He cannot wear our jersey again.
 
Last edited:
Tucker said:
The problem isn't the decision, it's the timing. If I'd been told on Thursday that I was being moved from the halves into the middle to get belted for a game on Saturday, I'd have argued my case too. That's a massive positional change with barely any time to prepare.
Click to expand...
Of course argue but it’s everything else that’s transpired after. The Riccio and Nicolussi articles feel to me like fed info from certain parties to paint Adam as anything but the problem with the club. As far as I’m concerned - they are all in it, everyone is the problem and together they have to find the solutions. Storming out and asking for a week off is not the answer.
 
Tucker said:
The problem isn't the decision, it's the timing. If I'd been told on Thursday that I was being moved from the halves into the middle to get belted for a game on Saturday, I'd have argued my case too. That's a massive positional change with barely any time to prepare.
Click to expand...
He did more than argue a case. He walked out on the team.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
It sure paints a different picture on the situation but doesn’t explain what the problems within the club that AD is aggrieved about.
Click to expand...
Not really dude . It reads as self entitled bullshit. So th3 way you’re going to enforce standards is to have a dummy spit and not play ?
If that’s logical to people .. I’ll say it again , and that behaviour makes sense to anyone , then have a look in the mirror , both fans , players anyone around the club , because that’s exhibit A on why this club is perennially shit .
You want to drive and enforce standards, you close the doors , you shut out the coach , and you air all the bullshit and bring the dark to light. And reinforce and reiterate , your core values and club principles.
That’s leadership . Dudes need to have it out , you lock the doors , and you let em have at it . Everyone STFU , and you get it sorted .
This is cry baby bullshit , and disgusting leadership .
There’s plenty of books on this , but one is called leaders eat last . And it’s basically what’s reinforced in the army to everyone , but really applies to all facets of life . Real leaders , not pretend ones with a title , they take the shit and everyone else’s bullshit , because that’s the gig . There’s literally a name for it “ burden of leadership” .
It’s to these points , that Melbourne and other clubs have figured it out . Which guys are actual team players and which , are full of shit . Because it’s not until shit goes pear shaped that true character is revealed .
 
Tucker said:
The problem isn't the decision, it's the timing. If I'd been told on Thursday that I was being moved from the halves into the middle to get belted for a game on Saturday, I'd have argued my case too. That's a massive positional change with barely any time to prepare.
Click to expand...
He knew at the start of the week , the walking out was all pantomime. Both Kent and hooper said earlier today , and reinforced in the article.
 
Tired Tiger said:
The inside story of why Adam Doueihi refused to play for Wests Tigers

Christian Nicolussi
July 24, 2026 — 6:27pm





A
A
A
Adam Doueihi is expected to report for training on Monday – and is even prepared to come back through reserve grade – but he hopes his bombshell decision to stand down from Saturday’s match against the Raiders leads to what he believes is long-overdue change at Wests Tigers.

For too long, the Tigers have struggled near the bottom of the NRL ladder.



Adam Doueihi and the Tigers come to terms with another loss in a season that has spiralled out of control.Getty Images
For too long, the Tigers have paid more than they should for the wrong players, who have simply not delivered.

And for too long, the Tigers have failed to properly address the need to lift standards and drive the professionalism required to become a successful club.

Michael Maguire is one of the strictest coaches in the game, and even he found the Tigers too much.

Doueihi felt he could no longer sit back and let things slide. Hence, his drastic action, which he hopes, according to sources not authorised to speak publicly, will shine a light on the bigger problems bubbling away at the joint venture.



The Tigers lost to the Dragons in round 18 to give the Red V just their second win of the season.Getty Images
Doueihi could not be contacted by this masthead on Friday.

The same sources, however, confirmed Doueihi’s decision this week to make himself unavailable for the trip to Canberra had nothing to do with being moved from the halves to lock.

Coach Benji Marshall had watched his team score just 22 points in their past four games. In the hope of igniting the attack, he decided to bring in some fresh blood – 19-year-old free spirit Javon Andrews – to partner Jarome Luai in the halves, and move Doueihi to No.13, where he can roam as the third playmaker and, it was hoped, create some chances with his running game.

Doueihi first heard at the start of the week that he was under consideration for a move out of the halves, but struggled to get confirmation from Marshall.



Benji Marshall has had plenty to deal with in his third season as Wests Tigers coach.Peter Rae
He headed to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night where he had a careless high tackle charge downgraded, meaning he was free to play against the Raiders.

However, Doueihi remained unsure of what Marshall was thinking until he marched into the coach’s office on Thursday morning.

When Marshall confirmed Doueihi would be the one to make way for Andrews in the halves – not Luai, the marquee man who is headed to Parramatta at the end of the season – the 27-year-old felt aggrieved. Maybe there was even a bit of resentment, and a feeling of being taken for granted.

Doueihi and Marshall exchanged words.



Wests Tigers were flying in April - before it all went wrong.Getty Images
Doueihi then sat down with chief executive Shaun Mielekamp, the same sources confirmed, to explain why he did not want to play this weekend, why his withdrawal would hopefully send a message that he was no longer going to be the “fall guy” for the club’s wider problems, and how he had become sick of seeing the club he loves stumble through another year of mediocrity.

After talking to Mielekamp, Doueihi made his way to the northern end of Concord Oval, sat in the morning sun and had a heart-to-heart with Pat Richards, a club legend who is now football manager.

Marshall addressed the media at 9am, spoke about Doueihi and Andrews, and outlined his plan for how the changes would work. Doueihi and the coach spoke for a second time later that morning. Not wanting to be a distraction for the team, Doueihi told Marshall he was happy to lie low, if that was what was best for the club for the next couple of days.

When news broke that afternoon that Doueihi had refused to play, fans and commentators were quick to turn on him, branding him selfish.

“Do what’s best for the team, Adam,” was the consensus.

Former interim Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley hopped on radio to reveal Doueihi had threatened to withdraw from a game when asked to play a different position a few years earlier.

“I had a conversation with Adam Doueihi [where he said] if I’ve not been picked at five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather play five-eighth in reserve grade,” Kimmorley said on SEN radio on Thursday night.

“I didn’t have the balls to do it as the coach at that stage.

“I’d been given some advice that centre is probably how he should play the rest of this year and his words were purely, if he doesn’t play five-eighth in first grade, I’d rather be picked at five-eighth in reserve grade.”

Doueihi has told those close to him he is prepared for anything that comes his way. He has no intention to leave the club. He re-signed in March for two years on a deal that takes him to the end of 2029.

While many this week have questioned Doueihi’s loyalty to the Tigers, it is worth noting he funded his own trip to Brisbane while injured to cheer on the players at Magic Round this year. Other teammates have not even bothered to turn up to games in Sydney when they have been injured.

After a promising start to the season – they were equal top of the ladder after six rounds, which had fans dreaming of an end to their 15-year finals drought – the Tigers’ campaign has unravelled, losing six of their past seven games to slump to 14th on the ladder.

Related Article

NRL 2026
Adam Doueihi rules himself out of Tigers match after bust-up with Benji
That slump has taken its toll, and a tipping point was inevitable – not just for Doueihi.

Last weekend Alex Twal, one of the most mild-mannered players in the game, lost his cool and was sin-binned for slapping Canterbury’s Jaeman Salmon in the face. Twal returned for the final minute, only to lock horns with Bulldogs forward Josh Curran.

Twal was still seething after the game and refused to shake Curran’s hand.

His actions reflected the frustrations of a player who knew the season was slipping away, and who feared the wrong people were going to be blamed.

The Tigers trained at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday morning before travelling to Canberra. A jersey presentation was due to take place for Andrews in the nation’s capital later in the afternoon.

Doueihi will not be at the game, with sources suggesting he was unsure if he should get away for a few days. The Tigers must win to be any chance of keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

Teammates have been sending Doueihi messages and checking in on him.

He will be OK. Especially if the Tigers finally get serious and start holding people to account.










https://twitter.com/smh
Click to expand...
IF (and it’s one big if) this is true, then I think the underlying message is that Benji basically plays favourites and refuses to assign accountability to those he likes personally which is something that I can believe if his assistant coaches and team selections of certain players are anything to go by.

AD is not a 7 or even a 6 but he plays on the right (Javon plays left), has been our best player this year (yes, he’s been poor the last month) and is signed till 2029. Btw the fact that he had to pay his way to support the team in Brisbane while others haven’t even bothered to show up to games in Sydney while injured is a disgrace.

Luai on the other hand, decided to upend our entire season by putting on the PNG show after running his mouth about team first. Not to mention the unprofessional posts on social media. Form wise, I can count on one hand the number of great games Luai has had for us. Luai should’ve been the one making way for Javan and play in the 14 jersey.

Regardless of the reasons, AD has still handled this poorly and let down the his teammates and us fans.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

... and 9 more.
Total: 1,628 (members: 59, guests: 1,569)
Back
Top