The "couldn't get a hold of Benji" rubbish - i don't buy it. To be fair Benji did have the flu last week - could be influenza - I had it and couldn't work for a week. Benji still fronted up to presser last week, sick as a dog.
IMO - Doueihi is upset because Benji doesn't see him as the long-term half. Nothing says I don't want you there more than picking an underperforming player who won't be here in 6 weeks over him.
I liked Doueihi but he's lost me the way he's handled this. I've also watched him closely over the past month or so, and I'd come to the conclusion a few weeks ago that he isn't the long-term halves solution. He's run first always, and his passing and hands aren't good enough to play a flatter attack. His short kicking game is average. This is exactly why he'd be better at lock.
Doueihi tries hard - great...we need more than that in a half.
Most good judges in the media think he'd be a great lock. I've said it for years on this forum but have been shot down saying he couldn't handle the workload. What I know is that he's a mediocre NRL half. Our progression would be restricted with him there.
I also think he won't be at the club next year given that he/his camp have clearly leaked information to the media to paint the club in a bad light. Benji and Shaun have handled this situation excellently, and they just need to move forward and get rid of these selfish players that have delusional ideas of themselves...let alone ones that are managed by Isaac Moses.
To top it off, the media click-baiting grubs. Not one of them has said "Does Benji want Doueihi in the halves long-term?" Instead, they've made out this was a rookie error coaching decision.
One small mistake I think Benji made - maybe he should have waited for the offseason for the transition, but at the same time there's an opportunity to give Javon minutes now, so why not take it.
