Things have gone from bad to worse for the Wests Tigers with star halfback Adam Doueihi sensationally withdrawing from Saturday’s showdown with the Raiders following a reported dispute with coach Benji Marshall.
The club has confirmed Doueihi won’t play in the nation’s capital, with young gun Javon Andrews now firming to make his NRL debut in the halves alongside Jarome Luai who will join the Eels next year before he moves to PNG.
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The Daily Telegraph first reported the bombshell news, with Doueihi not training on Thursday after he was told he’d be playing lock instead of in the halves where he’s shone as their best player this year.
Adam Doueihi won’t play this weekend after a disagreement with coach Benji Marshall. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
“Adam won’t be playing this weekend,” Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp told the Daily Telegraph.
“Adam and Benji met this morning to discuss a plan for the weekend. Benji made a call on what’s best for the team but as a result Adam has asked for some time off and we agree to that.”
Doueihi signed a contract extension back in March to remain at the Tigers until the end of the 2029 season, but it’s unclear if this latest development will affect that.
The Lebanese international was originally named on an extended bench for Saturday’s game but was cleared to play after a successful night at judiciary where he avoided a one-match ban for a high tackle.
He sounded like a guy who was keen to help his team pull off an upset in Canberra.
“I love being out there with the boys,” Doueihi said after the hearing.
“I want to help turn our season around again. It’s a good opportunity to go down to Canberra this week. They’re on the back of a few wins so we’ll go there with an ambush mentality.”
Doueihi has been the club’s best player this year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
It was expected that he’d simply slot in at halfback to partner Luai, but Marshall had other plans which led to him leaving the club’s Concord facilities.
It’s the latest drama for the Tigers who have lost five games on the trot and made the call to let Luai leave early despite him being contracted for the 2027 season.
Latu Fainu is also unavailable after he copped a three-match ban at the judiciary.
They can’t afford to lose Doueihi who has been a key cog in their attack, with Marshall remaining coy when asked about team selections on Thursday morning.
“You always want your best players playing, and for us, it’s no different,” he said.