Wests Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks admits five-eighth is Adam Doueihi's best position but says he would be reluctant to move to the bench long-term to accommodate his teammate's return to the halves.
Doueihi featured at five-eighth in 2021 and was one of the Tigers' best performers until an ACL injury curtailed his season.
"He's a runner of the ball. If we can get the ball in his hands as much as possible, that's his biggest threat."
Previous Tigers head coach Michael Maguire sometimes switched Brooks to hooker mid-game to re-vamp the side's attack but Brooks said he would be reluctant to take on a utility role or start from the bench as a replacement rake.
"If I had to do it for the team, I would," he said, "but I think my best position is either halfback of five-eighth."
Brooks said he welcomed the healthy competition between himself and Doueihi.
"You obviously want to keep your spot and if there's someone there, if you're not playing your best footy then they're going to come in," he said.
"That helps you to play your best footy. It's good, healthy competition."
Brooks, Hastings and Doueihi all come off contract at the end of next year and are able to negotiate with rival clubs for 2024 from November 1.
Brooks is on the richest deal of the three, earning a reported $950,000 this year, and while he was linked with a move to Newcastle earlier in the season, he said he would make no decisions about his future until the Tigers appointed a new head coach.
"All that contract stuff is put on hold until the club gets a coach," he said.
After sacking Maguire earlier this year, the Tigers appointed Brett Kimmorley head coach for the remainder of the season but Kristian Woolf, Andrew Webster and Shane Flanagan have all been earmarked as possible successors for 2023 and beyond.
Australian Associated Press
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7809683/brooks-addresses-tigers-halves-dilemma/
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Luke Brooks has taken a swipe at senior Wests Tigers officials accusing the club’s hierarchy of leaking stories, as the five-eighth declares Adam Doueihi should be playing in the No.6 jumper he is wearing.
Brooks’ candid comments came after speculation the playmaker was set to be axed from the NRL side, for the first time in his 186-game career, in round 16 against the Warriors.
A form slump for both Brooks and the Tigers, who have now lost four-straight games, was believed to be the reason behind the demotion to NSW Cup.
But Brooks rubbished the rumour and hit out at club officials for continuously leaking insider information to the media.
“I did see it. It was pretty disappointing that it came out in the media and in the end obviously it wasn’t true,” Brooks said.
“I think it came from a place where it probably shouldn’t have and that is what is frustrating sometimes about this club, a fair few stories get leaked out and I think it comes from people a lot higher than us.
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Luke Brooks (C) has called out Wests Tigers officials and attacked the club’s culture. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Luke Brooks (C) has called out Wests Tigers officials and attacked the club’s culture. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty
“In the end, it obviously didn’t happen because I played. It’s just another thing (that happens at the club)… what can you do?.”
Doueihi returned from an ACL injury in round 15 but interim coach Brett Kimmorley has opted to pick the playmaker out of position.
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After being eased back from the bench against Canterbury and the Warriors, Kimmorley has named Doueihi, who wants to play in the halves, at centre to take on Parramatta on Saturday.
But Brooks believes the 23-year old’s best spot is at five-eighth.
“Personally, I think his best position is five-eighth,” Brooks said.
“But when he has played at centre, he played (there) a fair bit the year before and he did really well there so he is a runner of the ball and if we can get the ball in his hands as much as possible, getting him running the ball, that’s his biggest threat.”
Asked what that meant for his immediate future in the Tigers 17, Brooks welcomed the competition.
Luke Brooks says Adam Doueihi should be playing in his jersey. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
Luke Brooks says Adam Doueihi should be playing in his jersey. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
“You want to keep your spot but if there is someone there and you’re not playing your best footy and they are going to come in… I guess that helps you to play your best footy so I think it is good to have healthy competition.”
Teammate Joe Ofahengaue echoed Brooks’ sentiment but went further declaring Doueihi’s skills were wasted out in the centres.
“Honestly, I think Doueihi’s best position is where he wants to play, and that’s in the halves,” Ofahengaue said.
“He was our best half last year, he is so dangerous with the ball.
“I think playing in that six or seven role he can float wherever he wants.
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“At centre he is held to just one spot and for Doueihi to have an impact on the game, he needs to be everywhere.
“I’m not the coach but that is how I see it. I think he probably sees it the same way.”
Daily Telegraph
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
interesting
thinking ti keep everyone happy Next week it may well be
7 Brooks
6 Douhie
13 hastings
Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi has dropped a selection bombshell by asking interim coach Brett Kimmorley to pick him in NSW Cup if he won’t select the gun ball-player in his preferred position of five-eighth.
Doueihi, the Wests Tigers best player last season, has been selected in the centres this week as the Tigers continue to search for the club’s first win since Kimmorley took over leading into round 14. Fox Sports has been told by Tigers insiders that Doueihi contacted Kimmorley on Tuesday to ask the question about playing five-eighth in the NSW Cup after the coach selected him in the centres.
Tigers head of football Tim Sheens then smoothed over the potential standoff as the club searches for answers to try to snap a four-match losing streak
if that is true and Douhie did ask Kimmorely to play nsw cup if he was not going to play centre then it is simple... See ya later Adam
@jedi-tiger Brooks has said AD’s best position is 6 and should be playing there. Joe O said the same. Do you think Brooks and Joe O are wrong?
@avocadoontoast Douhie has not demonstrated team player qualities the coach selects the team. If Douhie does not want to play centre he should be told there is the door.
Brooks and Joe O are not the coach, Brooks has an opinion and so does Joe O but Douhie is all about Douhie. I can't believe he has allegedly told Kimmorley do not pick him unless it is at 6 tha this terrible
@avocadoontoast Douhie has not demonstrated team player qualities the coach selects the team. If Douhie does not want to play centre he should be told there is the door.
Brooks and Joe O are not the coach, Brooks has an opinion and so does Joe O but Douhie is all about Douhie. I can't believe he has allegedly told Kimmorley do not pick him unless it is at 6 tha this terrible
Allegedly being the operative word. You rubbish every anti-Brooks article as journalistic fantasy but you’re very quick to accept this one as true as it’s anti Doueihi…
@avocadoontoast what I rubbish is Brooks salary it changes go have a look 850k then 1.1 million in April then 1.3 million in june
this article did not come from Rothfield I don't see why they would say it didn't occur
@avocadoontoast what I rubbish is Brooks salary it changes go have a look 850k then 1.1 million in April then 1.3 million in june
this article did not come from Rothfield I don't see why they would say it didn't occur
The club have had many opportunities to deny he's on less than a million dollars next year and they haven't done so. I don't think it's a matter of if he's on over a million, it's how much over that's speculation.
The insinuation that "Doueihi is all about Doueihi" is rubbish by the way. He's shown more leadership in 2 seasons with us than any other current player - he also legitimately cares which is more than you can say for 95% of our players. Maybe the nepotism towards Brooks needs to stop now. Even his teammates want AD in the 6 jersey.
Luke Brooks has taken a swipe at senior Wests Tigers officials accusing the club’s hierarchy of leaking stories, as the five-eighth declares Adam Doueihi should be playing in the No.6 jumper he is wearing.
Brooks’ candid comments came after speculation the playmaker was set to be axed from the NRL side, for the first time in his 186-game career, in round 16 against the Warriors.
A form slump for both Brooks and the Tigers, who have now lost four-straight games, was believed to be the reason behind the demotion to NSW Cup.
But Brooks rubbished the rumour and hit out at club officials for continuously leaking insider information to the media.
“I did see it. It was pretty disappointing that it came out in the media and in the end obviously it wasn’t true,” Brooks said.
“I think it came from a place where it probably shouldn’t have and that is what is frustrating sometimes about this club, a fair few stories get leaked out and I think it comes from people a lot higher than us.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Luke Brooks (C) has called out Wests Tigers officials and attacked the club’s culture. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Luke Brooks (C) has called out Wests Tigers officials and attacked the club’s culture. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty
“In the end, it obviously didn’t happen because I played. It’s just another thing (that happens at the club)… what can you do?.”Doueihi returned from an ACL injury in round 15 but interim coach Brett Kimmorley has opted to pick the playmaker out of position.
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After being eased back from the bench against Canterbury and the Warriors, Kimmorley has named Doueihi, who wants to play in the halves, at centre to take on Parramatta on Saturday.
But Brooks believes the 23-year old’s best spot is at five-eighth.
“Personally, I think his best position is five-eighth,” Brooks said.
“But when he has played at centre, he played (there) a fair bit the year before and he did really well there so he is a runner of the ball and if we can get the ball in his hands as much as possible, getting him running the ball, that’s his biggest threat.”
Asked what that meant for his immediate future in the Tigers 17, Brooks welcomed the competition.
Luke Brooks says Adam Doueihi should be playing in his jersey. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
Luke Brooks says Adam Doueihi should be playing in his jersey. Picture: NRL PHOTOS
“You want to keep your spot but if there is someone there and you’re not playing your best footy and they are going to come in… I guess that helps you to play your best footy so I think it is good to have healthy competition.”Teammate Joe Ofahengaue echoed Brooks’ sentiment but went further declaring Doueihi’s skills were wasted out in the centres.
“Honestly, I think Doueihi’s best position is where he wants to play, and that’s in the halves,” Ofahengaue said.
“He was our best half last year, he is so dangerous with the ball.
“I think playing in that six or seven role he can float wherever he wants.
More Coverage
Tigers paying price for Doueihi disrespect
Astonishing hypocrisy of Walsh’s Broncos return
“At centre he is held to just one spot and for Doueihi to have an impact on the game, he needs to be everywhere.“I’m not the coach but that is how I see it. I think he probably sees it the same way.”
Daily Telegraph
What an absolute shambles the club is. If you watch Brooks body language in the interview he has more or less tapped out. Completely over it - and why wouldnt he be?!
I am embarrassed to say I support the WT. I have no faith in the administration to turn this around.
There is no obvious solution to the problem of having Brooks AD and Hastings all of contract this year (plus Madden who is arguably NRL standard waiting in the wings) but its not like the club hasn't had a long to time to process it and make a 'once and for all' decision. The longer this drags out, the more likely 2023 is a write off as well.
It's clear that the decision not to let Brooks go to Newcastle last summer (who were prepared to pay his full freight) - is the dumbest decision of the past decade.
The other side note is that Madden will probably leave the club at the end of this season after playing no more NRL for us in 2022. He'll go on to brain it at his next club and play 200 games. Mark my words 🙁
Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi has dropped a selection bombshell by asking interim coach Brett Kimmorley to pick him in NSW Cup if he won’t select the gun ball-player in his preferred position of five-eighth.
Doueihi, the Wests Tigers best player last season, has been selected in the centres this week as the Tigers continue to search for the club’s first win since Kimmorley took over leading into round 14. Fox Sports has been told by Tigers insiders that Doueihi contacted Kimmorley on Tuesday to ask the question about playing five-eighth in the NSW Cup after the coach selected him in the centres.
Tigers head of football Tim Sheens then smoothed over the potential standoff as the club searches for answers to try to snap a four-match losing streak
There's some morons in WT management but I would say its highly likely Sam Ayoub fed the media this one. The club wouldn't be dumb enough to let this out?
clubs do not talk in public about players salary, they don't discuss Douhie's or Hastings or Laurie's why should they. Likewise why should they discuss Brooks salary.
If the Douhie story is true and he whinged about where he was playing then I hope he gets the chop in 2024
funny how Tommy T could float at centre for the blues and pop up everywhere but Douhie can't, Burton also did it in Origin.
funny how Tommy T could float at centre for the blues and pop up everywhere but Douhie can't, Burton also did it in Origin.
Did Doueihi run over your dog or something?
