Interim coach Brett Kimmorley won't divulge details of a meeting with Adam Doueihi earlier this week after it emerged the Wests Tigers playmaker wanted to be dropped to reserve grade.
Doueihi has been named to play centre against Parramatta on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval in his first starting appearance since an ACL injury last year.
Kimmorley has stuck by under-pressure playmaker Luke Brooks and Jackson Hastings in the halves as part of a spluttering attack that has averaged just six points over their last three games.
Doueihi met with Kimmorley this week where it is claimed the former Rabbitoh said he would rather further his development as a five-eighth and play for the Tigers' NSW Cup side than play in the centres.
Kimmorley said on Friday: "Any issues you'd like to know about we'll handle behind closed doors."
The Lebanon international, however, has clearly enjoyed his best football in the halves.
But Kimmorley refused to speculate on Doueihi's best position.
"I've had the team for three weeks so to try and tell you guys what I think his best position is wouldn't be right," he said.
"He's a versatile player. I'm not going to get drawn into what I think his best position is.
"If you give me some time to get to know him and to see his strengths and weaknesses, I can give you a better opinion."
Brooks appears to be the odd man out at the Tigers after the arrival of Hastings over the off-season.
By and large the 27-year-old has failed to live up to the expectations set when he signed a five-year deal at the club in 2018 after being named the Dally M halfback of the year.
Brooks was linked with a move to Newcastle over the off-season and there is a school of thought the Tigers can entice a rival to take him off their hands for the 2023 season if they put him in the first-grade shop window.
Kimmorley, however, refuted the suggestion his team selection was being influenced by wishes of the club's football department.
"I pick the side and I obviously liaise with my assistant coaches. It's not just what I want to do, I obviously seek support from them," he said.
"I feel like I've got their full support (of my coaches), the support of (head of football) Tim (Sheens) and the club as well. My job is to coach now."
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/kimmorley-coy-over-crunch-doueihi-talks-c-7452314
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Yeah it doesn’t sound to good does it, seems a bit of a conflict there between Adam and Noddy the later needs to realise his only an interim coach after all.
And it reads like Noddy is quite happy with the current pairing in the halves lord help us.
@loganr21 we have lost plenty better than Adam. Tedesco as an example.
The club will survive without Adam and also Brooks if it comes to that
@loganr21 we have lost plenty better than Adam. Tedesco as an example.
The club will survive without Adam and also Brooks if it comes to that
I have my doubts about that. Unless we can put some wins on the board the fan base will erode. Juniors will go off to other clubs and play for a winning culture. I think the outlook is very bleak unless something changes at the top of the organisation and we bring in fresh faces with fresh ideas.
I’ve already seen a number of supporters stating they are having a ‘break’ from the club to preserve their mental health.
The club is in crisis.
Last night’s press confidence indicated that perhaps Doueihi is not Hastings favourite player either. Hastings praise of Noddy and what he said about him was a veiled swipe at Doueihi imo.
If we are experimenting with halves combinations I would like to see hastings/Laurie. Laurie appears to have better instincts for the game than other options at 6, he has quite a good short kicking game, have never seen him try and kick long. With a little more size maybe he could play a Thurston type creative role and leave the organising to Hastings.
Brooks must go in my opinion so it’s left with hastings/Douhie/Laurie as potential halves players currently in the squad (and I doubt there will be any marquee recruits available). I’d probably give douhie another go at 1 given his size but if he ends up too slow there then go out and recruit any one of the dozen backup fullbacks playing in the league that are stronger than our 1st choice.
If we are experimenting with halves combinations I would like to see hastings/Laurie. Laurie appears to have better instincts for the game than other options at 6, he has quite a good short kicking game, have never seen him try and kick long. With a little more size maybe he could play a Thurston type creative role and leave the organising to Hastings.
Brooks must go in my opinion so it’s left with hastings/Douhie/Laurie as potential halves players currently in the squad (and I doubt there will be any marquee recruits available). I’d probably give douhie another go at 1 given his size but if he ends up too slow there then go out and recruit any one of the dozen backup fullbacks playing in the league that are stronger than our 1st choice.
AD is not a fullback.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Last night’s press confidence indicated that perhaps Doueihi is not Hastings favourite player either. Hastings praise of Noddy and what he said about him was a veiled swipe at Doueihi imo.
I know we can try and read into thing too much-
But Hastings posted on instagram - a message to AD which said 'real talk' after the AD stuff broke.
My guess there was a conversation, but it's been paraphrased a lot more bluntly than maybe what happened.
Brooks has said he'll be selfish at contract time and do what's best for him - pretty much saying he'll leave.
AD has said he wants to stay at WT but also made clear he wants to play at 6.
We also still need to convince Hastings to resign with us - which will be no easy sell. He did leave Salford to play with Wigan.
It's up to management to manage the situation and pick the right horse. But if you treat half the season like a preseason and don't properly manage the situation- these issues will always blow up
Top 8 2023
If we are experimenting with halves combinations I would like to see hastings/Laurie. Laurie appears to have better instincts for the game than other options at 6, he has quite a good short kicking game, have never seen him try and kick long. With a little more size maybe he could play a Thurston type creative role and leave the organising to Hastings.
Brooks must go in my opinion so it’s left with hastings/Douhie/Laurie as potential halves players currently in the squad (and I doubt there will be any marquee recruits available). I’d probably give douhie another go at 1 given his size but if he ends up too slow there then go out and recruit any one of the dozen backup fullbacks playing in the league that are stronger than our 1st choice.
AD is not a fullback.
I agree. I also think he has a lot to learn at 6 and I’m sceptical that Hastings/douhie combination works at 7/6 (both alphas, both slow). Douhie could make it as a top grade centre if he learnt that craft but he refuses to play there with commitment and sooks every time anyone talks about it being a long term option.
Last night’s press confidence indicated that perhaps Doueihi is not Hastings favourite player either. Hastings praise of Noddy and what he said about him was a veiled swipe at Doueihi imo.
I didn't read that. I seem to recall they travelled to the game together. I do think Hastings is a bit protective of Brooks.
I agree. I also think he has a lot to learn at 6 and I’m sceptical that Hastings/douhie combination works at 7/6 (both alphas, both slow). Douhie could make it as a top grade centre if he learnt that craft but he refuses to play there with commitment and sooks every time anyone talks about it being a long term option.
Hastings was signed as a 13 and he's said he'd play wherever the team needs him. I'm happy to give him a run there and Joffa goes into the prop rotation.
AD was signed as a fullback and didn't cut it. If AD wants to stay, he needs to adopt the "play anywhere for the team" mentality. Then he needs to look at Burton in the centres to get an idea of what he could be if he had a crack instead of feeling sorry for himself. I don't want to sound too hard on him but if you don't make it in the position you were signed for then you don't get to pick and choose where you fit in.
I'd also like to see Laurie given a chance at 6. I'm happy for Noffa to play at 1 while we try it out - the season's gone anyway and he's been our best under the high ball this year.
Last night’s press confidence indicated that perhaps Doueihi is not Hastings favourite player either. Hastings praise of Noddy and what he said about him was a veiled swipe at Doueihi imo.
I didn't read that. I seem to recall they travelled to the game together. I do think Hastings is a bit protective of Brooks.
He comments about Noddy being a team player and never putting himself first.
If Doueihi and Hastings travelled together that comment sure gave them something to chat about on the way home
Last night’s press confidence indicated that perhaps Doueihi is not Hastings favourite player either. Hastings praise of Noddy and what he said about him was a veiled swipe at Doueihi imo.
I know we can try and read into thing too much-
But Hastings posted on instagram - a message to AD which said 'real talk' after the AD stuff broke.
My guess there was a conversation, but it's been paraphrased a lot more bluntly than maybe what happened.
Brooks has said he'll be selfish at contract time and do what's best for him - pretty much saying he'll leave.
AD has said he wants to stay at WT but also made clear he wants to play at 6.
We also still need to convince Hastings to resign with us - which will be no easy sell. He did leave Salford to play with Wigan.
It's up to management to manage the situation and pick the right horse. But if you treat half the season like a preseason and don't properly manage the situation- these issues will always blow up
Is Hastings someone we really need to focus on re-signing? He’s played two good games all year and has been pretty ordinary lately. I’m convinced he’s our long term 7 at all.
If we are experimenting with halves combinations I would like to see hastings/Laurie. Laurie appears to have better instincts for the game than other options at 6, he has quite a good short kicking game, have never seen him try and kick long. With a little more size maybe he could play a Thurston type creative role and leave the organising to Hastings.
Brooks must go in my opinion so it’s left with hastings/Douhie/Laurie as potential halves players currently in the squad (and I doubt there will be any marquee recruits available). I’d probably give douhie another go at 1 given his size but if he ends up too slow there then go out and recruit any one of the dozen backup fullbacks playing in the league that are stronger than our 1st choice.
Agree with most of those points. I agree with Garry in that Doueihi just doesn’t have the pace for fullback (unfortunately). We have to remove Brooks from the equation now to see how things go with different combos.
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