The timing of the push to get Shane Flanagan a job as one of Benji Marshall’s assistants at Wests Tigers is intriguing to say the least.

Especially when you factor in Flanagan’s agent is Isaac Moses.

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The same manager who accompanied Adam Doueihi to his crisis talks this week.

The same manager who looked after Lachlan Galvin last year.

If we go back further, Tigers fans won’t need reminding Moses also handled Mitchell Moses, Aaron Woods and James Tedesco back in the day.

I know Doueihi came out strongly on Wednesday defending Moses and was adamant his agent was not driving an agenda to get Doueihi out of the Tigers.

Doueihi was also forthright that Moses wanted him to play against Canberra last weekend.

“One thing I want to do is I want to protect my agent Isaac Moses in this,” Doueihi said.

“I feel as though he’s been brought into this and with the whole Lachie Galvin situation and people think he’s got this masterplan behind this, but it’s not his intention at all.”

Nevertheless, since Doueihi’s fallout with Marshall last week, the narrative that Benji needs more experience around him has gathered momentum.

And Flanagan’s name has come up in the conversation.

It’s even been reported Flanagan would be open to the role.

It has some merit given Flanagan has won a comp and coached more than 200 NRL games.

I also think it would help Benji to have a more senior mentor around him to bounce ideas off, and get a handle on the drop in standards Benji alluded to in his press conference, that obviously led to Doueihi blowing a gasket.

That said, my concern if I was Benji at the thought of Flanagan being that person would start when you join the dots.

There has also been talk that Benji has too much power and has surrounded himself with ‘yes men’.

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Doueihi’s future IS at Tiger Town! | 02:55

Name me one NRL head coach who doesn’t get the final say on his support staff.

Whether it’s Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bennett, Ivan Cleary, Ricky Stuart or Trent Robinson, every coach wants staff who they know will have their back at all times, but especially when the shit hits the fan.

And surely if the club thinks they are up to the job of being appointed the head coach in the first place, regardless of their experience, then they deserve the respect that should go with it.

I have stated previously that I did not agree with the decision to give Benji a contract extension through until the end of 2030 last December because he had not done enough to warrant the extension.

But it’s a bit late to suddenly question if they have given him too much power now on the back of Doueihi throwing the toys out of the cot.

While it is great to know Doueihi says Moses was not responsible for his refusal to play the Raiders, if I was Benji I’d still be keeping my guard up.

CUT-PRICE COWBOY SHOWS DOUEIHI THE WAY FORWARD

I can’t wait to see how Doueihi responds when he returns against Parramatta on Sunday.

And on that same subject, Jake Clifford earned enormous respect for his comeback performance against the Broncos last round.

It came after Todd Payten made the shock call to axe Clifford for the Cowboys game against the Dolphins to make way for Tom Dearden’s return.

But instead of throwing his toys out of the cot, Clifford produced one of the best performances of his career in Dearden’s absence with some huge moments against the Broncos with and without the ball that was pivotal to the result.

It just again highlighted what an underrated talent this bloke really is.

And it sets up a mouth-watering showdown with Sam Walker on Thursday night.

You may remember before the Cowboys’ last clash against the Roosters back in round 11, there was a lot of speculation Clifford was actually ahead of Walker in the race to be the Queensland No 7.

Munster eyeing PNG move | 01:40

Even though the Cowboys won that game 18-12, history shows Walker went on to get the call up, and did himself proud in the opening two Origin games.

And while there is talk Walker is now on track to sign a mega extension with the Roosters, Clifford remains one of the game’s most undervalued playmakers.

He recently signed a two-year extension that is believed to be worth about $250,000-a-season that will keep him at the Cowboys until the end of 2028.

To put it in perspective, they are talking of Walker getting $1.35m plus when he signs his next deal, while there are suggestions Doueihi is underpaid on about $500,000-a-season.

You can imagine Clifford will be primed to show his true worth when he runs out against the Roosters in Townsville.

For all the criticism he’s copped about never quite fulfilling his enormous potential over the years, it’s easy to forget he’s still only 28.

But if Clifford continues to play with the confidence and authority he’s showed for the most part this season, there’s no reason why he can’t establish himself among the NRL’s best playmakers over the next few seasons.

Panthers open contract talks with Yeo | 00:27

RACE FOR TOP EIGHT WIDE OPEN

This is shaping up as a massive weekend when it comes to the potential make-up of the top eight.

With the Rabbitohs and Knights ravaged by injury, the Bulldogs and Raiders looked prime to make their run for September.

The Dogs take on the wounded Storm on Friday night and a win could see them join the Rabbitohs, Knights and Cowboys on 26 competition points if results go their way.

And while the Raiders are currently two wins outside the eight, they are absolutely charging and look to be a huge chance against the Panthers in Mudgee.

Meanwhile, the Knights play the Broncos at Suncorp on Saturday, and the Rabbitohs are up against the in-form Sharks on Sunday.