The 25-year-old, who is on the comeback trail from injury after 13 months out, made a move that very few players in today’s game would have the gumption to take.

Many players struggle to push more than a sentence out to their club boss, let alone sit down inside the CEO’s office and explain why he wouldn’t be accepting the club’s initial contract offer for 2025.

Sitting opposite Richardson, Doueihi showed the actions of a player who knows his worth, while living up to the standards set by his hardworking father, to make decisions for yourself.

Injured Wests Tiger Adam Doueihi is doing his own contract negotiations. Picture: Richard Dobson

DOUEIHI THE NEGOTIATOR

Doueihi doesn’t even need to play in his comeback game, which should to be within the next five weeks.

He has already proven his character and his maturity by the fact that he is negotiating his next contract without the assistance of a player manager or agent.

In a week that Titans back-rower David Fifita asked his manager to call Roosters chairman Nick Politis to backflip on his deal, Doueihi is making all the calls himself.

“I come from a business-minded family. My dad owns his own dry-cleaning business and I’ve got a good close network of friends who own successful businesses and I enjoy trying to pick their brains,” Doueihi said.

“The challenge of having tough conversations with people is something I’m always looking to improve and I feel like this is a good stepping stone for life after footy, where I will be dealing with different people and networking and having those tough conversations, as I said.

“I’ve always had the mindset that my footy is going to do the talking and whether a manager is involved or not, I know my worth.”

Doueihi recognised that not every player would feel comfortable cutting deals worth anywhere between $200,000 and $1 million.

“For other players, it could be a bit overwhelming and intimidating if you don’t know how to deal with senior figures, or how to have tough conversations,” Doueihi said.

“But that’s something that I want to do. I know I’m trusting my manager because the manager is me.

“I’ve always got that trust factor that I’m going to put myself first and that’s all that matters I guess.

“If another manager has three or four halves off-contract and you’re a half, you ask ‘where do I fit in and who am I getting shopped to?’

“I’m not bagging managers, but at least I know all the conversations about me that are being had.

“I’m not going to push players away from their managers. However, the boys at training are already asking when they can sign up to my management company.

“But it’s a case of each to their own. I may need a manager in the future, but right now, I’m going at it by myself.”

REJECTING LOW-BALL BID

In the wake of a third major knee injury, Doueihi told Richardson that he wouldn’t be accepting the club’s minimum wage offer of a one-year deal worth around $150,000.

“Unfortunately I’ve had this injury and it put me on the back foot, but it’s just another challenge that I’ve enjoyed taking on,” Doueihi said.

Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson. Picture: David Swift

“My contract is up at the end of this year, but my whole focus has been to get back playing first and let everything else sort itself out, once I’m back playing the footy I know I can.

“I’ve got the utmost belief in myself. I’ve done 14 months of rehab now and it’s made me stronger, not only physically, but mentally.

“It’s getting to the stage where I’m coming back soon.”

POSITIONAL SWITCH ON THE CARDS

Doueihi has played 87 NRL games and has shown how good he can be with nine tries in 2021.

He wants to push his claims as a halfback when he returns and has dropped 5kg from his playing weight of last season to be 94kg.

Getting back on the field is the priority and making calls to rival clubs will eventuate if he is unable to strike a deal with the Tigers.

“If it wasn’t for my dad’s attitude of trying to work every day and providing for my mum and my family, I’d have no idea how to do all this stuff,’’ Doueihi said.

“It’s through his hard work and the way he presents himself, he’s well respected and if I can imitate his life as best as I can, I’m going to make good decisions and everything is going to fall into place.

Doueihi says coach Benji Marshall has told him he’s part of his plans. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

“It’s no secret that I’m off-contract this year and I’m not playing at the moment, which does not help me.

“But I’ve got full faith in my knee. I’ve received the last tick off from the surgeon and so I won’t do anything until I’m back playing.

“I’ve told Richo (Richardson) that.

“If it comes to the stage where the Tigers tap me on the shoulder and say there’s no more room for me, I’ll jump on the phone and call other clubs.

“I’ve always loved the Tigers, I’m a junior of the club, Benji (Marshall) and Richo have told me I’m part of their future, so we’ll see what happens.”