Adam Doueihi looks set for a major positional switch for the new NRL season after revealing he’s spent the majority of pre-season training at halfback for Benji Marhsall‘s side. And the versatile star insists the boardroom turmoil that engulfed the club at the back-end of last year hasn’t distracted the playing group heading into the new campaign.
The club’s majority owners – the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) – sacked four independent board members at the start of December before reinstating them after public outcry. The drama also saw Shane Richardson walk away from his role as CEO, before being replaced by Shaun Mielekamp.
Adam Doueihi (right, centre) looks set for a positional switch at the Wests Tigers after training at halfback in pre-season for Benji Marshall’s (L) side. Pic: Getty
Marshall was then handed a three-year extension on his coaching contract despite still having two more years to run on his existing deal. The move raised plenty of eyebrows, but was seen as a way of bringing stability to the club and ensuring they kept hold of Marshall and a swathe of key players.
But Doueihi says the players haven’t let the ugly saga distract from their pre-seasons preparations, which he described as the “toughest” during his time at the club. The 27-year-old says the squad “really nailed” their first training block before Christmas and are keen to build on their improved 13th-placed finish last season after three-straight wooden spoons the previous years.
“Every pre-season’s tough no matter what club you’re at but speaking personally from a Tigers perspective, it’s definitely the toughest one we’ve done since I’ve been here,” Doueihi said. “You know how tough these pre-seasons are, and if your mind gets distracted for a split second during a drill or during a session then you get hijacked.
“As a leadership group… we made sure that them (sic) distractions were nothing to do with us as a group and wasn’t going to stop us… from growing and making the most out of this pre-season… That was all a distraction off the field, but internally our playing group were just focused on pre-season and growing.”
Adam Doueihi looks set for a positional switch in 2026 after training at halfback for the Tigers in pre-season. Pic: Getty
Adam Doueihi eyeing No.7 jersey at the Tigers in 2026
Doueihi hinted he’s likely to start the new season in the No.7 jersey, in a new-look halves combination with Jarome Luai. With young playmaker Latu Fainu still recovering from a a shoulder reconstruction, Doueihi says he’s excited by the chance to cement his spot in the halves after predominantly featuring at centre previously.
“I’ve been thrown around in a few different positions, but I’ve been doing most of my reps at the halfback position,” Doueihi said. “I’ve been filling in there and helping out alongside Jarome (Luai) there and working with him and trying to form a combo.
“That’s where I’ve been most of this pre-season so fingers crossed (I can) get the nod there for round one and take it from there. I love it (in the halves). I grew up playing in the halves and I feel as though I’m a dominant voice at the club so I really feel as though that number seven jersey suits me.”