Adam Doueihi says a conversation with interim coach Brett Kimmorley has left him confident he will be Wests Tigers' long-term five-eighth.
Since Doueihi recovered from his ACL injury, the Tigers have been deliberating as to which of their three specialist playmakers - Doueihi, Luke Brooks and Jackson Hastings - should fit into the two halves spots.
Brooks and Hastings got the nod for last weekend's loss to Parramatta but against Penrith on Sunday, Hastings will move to lock to give Doueihi and Brooks a chance to reassemble their halves combination from 2021.
Doueihi played centre against the Eels but is most comfortable at five-eighth and was pleased to have been shifted back there.
"I had a conversation with 'Noddy' (interim coach Brett Kimmorley) last week, just with some long-term questions about where the club saw me," he said.
"It's definitely in the halves. We spoke about that.
"The club has been open to having honest conversations. We've been pushing that as players and coaches, to be open with each other."
The Tigers have played Joe Ofahengaue, an old-school middle forward, at lock all year but by shifting Hastings there are hoping to emulate other NRL sides that use the position as a ball-playing option.
Hastings admitted he would prefer to be playing halfback but understood he could still influence the Tigers' attack from lock.
"You'll see a lot of similarities to what I do at halfback," he said.
"Hopefully that can unlock both the halves and the fullback.
"I'm not going to play that old style of straight up-and-down and bash-and-barge. I don't think I've got that in me!"
Alongside Brooks, Doueihi and fullback Daine Laurie, Hastings will remain a kicking option for the Tigers.
"Having four kickers out there will hopefully make it a bit harder for the fullback and winger to understand what we're trying to do," he said.
They may have lost, but the Tigers scored more points against the Eels last week than in their three previous games combined.
Doueihi said he hoped Hastings' shift to lock could put the final piece of their attacking puzzle into place.
"We feel as though we've lacked a geniune ball-player through the middle all season," Doueihi said.
"You can see with players like (Penrith lock) Isaah Yeo and (Sydney Roosters lock) Victor Radley bring such a threat and help link their halves up with their middles.
"It allows me and Brooksy to play a bit wider this week and focus on the edges, and allow Jacko to really run the middle."
Brooks started the season at halfback where his form attracted scrutiny, but Doueihi said his teammate was up to the task of managing the Tigers' attack.
"I don't think it's a challenge for him, he's played there pretty much his whole career," he said.
"We form a good combo."
July 14, 2022 4:27PMAdam Doueihi says a conversation with interim coach Brett Kimmorley has left him confident he will be Wests Tigers' long-term five-eighth.
Since Doueihi recovered from his ACL injury, the Tigers have been deliberating as to which of their three specialist playmakers - Doueihi, Luke Brooks and Jackson Hastings - should fit into the two halves spots.
Brooks and Hastings got the nod for last weekend's loss to Parramatta but against Penrith on Sunday, Hastings will move to lock to give Doueihi and Brooks a chance to reassemble their halves combination from 2021.
Doueihi played centre against the Eels but is most comfortable at five-eighth and was pleased to have been shifted back there.
"I had a conversation with 'Noddy' (interim coach Brett Kimmorley) last week, just with some long-term questions about where the club saw me," he said.
"It's definitely in the halves. We spoke about that.
"The club has been open to having honest conversations. We've been pushing that as players and coaches, to be open with each other."
The Tigers have played Joe Ofahengaue, an old-school middle forward, at lock all year but by shifting Hastings there are hoping to emulate other NRL sides that use the position as a ball-playing option.
Hastings admitted he would prefer to be playing halfback but understood he could still influence the Tigers' attack from lock.
"You'll see a lot of similarities to what I do at halfback," he said.
"Hopefully that can unlock both the halves and the fullback.
"I'm not going to play that old style of straight up-and-down and bash-and-barge. I don't think I've got that in me!"
Alongside Brooks, Doueihi and fullback Daine Laurie, Hastings will remain a kicking option for the Tigers.
"Having four kickers out there will hopefully make it a bit harder for the fullback and winger to understand what we're trying to do," he said.
They may have lost, but the Tigers scored more points against the Eels last week than in their three previous games combined.
Doueihi said he hoped Hastings' shift to lock could put the final piece of their attacking puzzle into place.
"We feel as though we've lacked a geniune ball-player through the middle all season," Doueihi said.
"You can see with players like (Penrith lock) Isaah Yeo and (Sydney Roosters lock) Victor Radley bring such a threat and help link their halves up with their middles.
"It allows me and Brooksy to play a bit wider this week and focus on the edges, and allow Jacko to really run the middle."
Brooks started the season at halfback where his form attracted scrutiny, but Doueihi said his teammate was up to the task of managing the Tigers' attack.
"I don't think it's a challenge for him, he's played there pretty much his whole career," he said.
"We form a good combo."
He discussions about his long term future with interim coach.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I can see tears in the near future. With AD seemingly putting his foot down that he wants to be a half, Im not sure how long the other two will keep up "Ill play anywhere the team needs me".
Im glad we finally have decided on the coach so some medium term decisions can be made.
I can see tears in the near future. With AD seemingly putting his foot down that he wants to be a half, Im not sure how long the other two will keep up "Ill play anywhere the team needs me".
Im glad we finally have decided on the coach so some medium term decisions can be made.
Long term decisions need to be made.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I can see tears in the near future.
Tears of joy?
I can see tears in the near future.
Tears of joy?
For who?
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I can see tears in the near future.
Tears of joy?
For who?
WT fans?
I can see tears in the near future. With AD seemingly putting his foot down that he wants to be a half, Im not sure how long the other two will keep up "Ill play anywhere the team needs me".
Im glad we finally have decided on the coach so some medium term decisions can be made.
Long term decisions need to be made.
Agreed, but need to be made in the short term. 1 Nov is fast approaching.
Clearly Brooks is the most likely victim in the halves merry go round but Im not completely sold on Hastings and AD hasnt set the world on fire since his return. I cant help feeling that we are shuffling around 3 poor to average options when we really need to drag in a good option (no idea who or where from).
I can see tears in the near future.
Tears of joy?
How long have you been a Tigers fan Avo?
I can see tears in the near future.
Tears of joy?
How long have you been a Tigers fan Avo?
Probably too long lol
I doubt Sheens or Benji will care too much where Douhie wants to play. Hard to overstate how much player power has been reduced by the news yesterday. In a way I could see Benji/Sheens feeling they will be able to get more of the style they want with brooks than our other options.
Sheens will not appreciate or respect a player telling him where he wants to play. He recalls fondly Liam Fulton being willing to play wherever and however the coach wanted.
think they will low ball Brooks and say take it or leave it.
Sounds like Sheens may stick with
13. Hastings
7. Brooks
6. Douhie
Heard Scott Prince interviewed on SEN radio, apparently he has had conversations with Sheens (maybe halves coach )
I know for along time Benji believes Brooks is a 5/8 and not a half back. So Douhie will have to produce the back end of this year to hold the spot I feel.
I doubt Sheens or Benji will care too much where Douhie wants to play. Hard to overstate how much player power has been reduced by the news yesterday. In a way I could see Benji/Sheens feeling they will be able to get more of the style they want with brooks than our other options.
Great point about “player power”. I know the media have been fanning the flames but I’ve been a bit shocked how openly players have spoken since Madge left. It really seems like kids while mum and dad aren’t watching.
not knocking kimmorley because he has no authority but I hope the presence of sheens and benji brings this into control
