The group will include James Tamou, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Ken Maumalo and Tyrone Peachey and is expected to share responsibility for the captaincy this season.

Tamou led the side last season but the club has overhauled its leadership structure over the preseason after bringing in leadership guru Dan Haesler.

While Tamou, Brooks and Doueihi were part of the leadership group last season, they have been joined by Peachey and Maumalo as part of the revised structure.

The Tigers drafted in Haeslar, the leadership guru used by Shaun Johnson, to help them sift through their captaincy candidates.

Haesler wrote the book, ‘The Act of Leadership’ and his website includes testimonials from the Canberra Raiders and Warriors star Johnson – the latter claimed Haesler “unlocked him” during the 2020 season.

Maguire was reluctant to discuss the captaincy conundrum on Monday. If anything, he was surprised by the interest in the role, which flared on Friday night after Tamou was asked during the side’s loss to Manly whether he would lead the side again this season.

The Tigers were overpowered by the Sea Eagles, although in their defence they had a number of their starting side on the sidelines. Maumalo, Jackson Hastings, Luke Garner and Dane Laurie are all expected to come into the side for their second and final trial against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

No coach is under as much pressure as Maguire to get immediate results heading into the start of the premiership and the Tigers mentor needs his players singing from the same hymn sheet.

The decision to bring in Haesler to help shows how determined the club is to get their leadership right.

They have looked rudderless at times in recent years and Haesler claims on his website to be a coach “whose work focuses on creating happier, healthier and higher performance”.

He also claims to work with leaders “in order to help them, and the people they lead, to thrive, professionally and personally”.

His website features a testimonial attributed to the Canberra Raiders which reads: “Engaging, relevant and challenging. Dan Haesler was inspiring, it allowed us to think differently in regard to how we make decisions both inside and outside the footballing environment of the NRL.”

Johnson went a step further when he talked about the work he did with Haesler on the Matty Johns show on Fox League.

“Dan has unlocked me,” Johnson said.

“Early on in the 2020 season I was struggling and copped a fair bit of criticism. What he has been able to give me in terms of belief and trusting myself has been the reason for my turnaround.

A powerful band of Tigers old boys has initiated a strong push for 23-year-old Adam Doueihi to immediately assume the Wests Tigers captaincy for this season.

The club is yet to endorse incumbent skipper James Tamou amid increasing speculation the former Test and Blues prop, who turns 34 later this year, may be replaced.

“I think it’s time for someone younger,” said former Tigers fullback Garry Jack. And ex-Balmain Test star Larry Corowa said: “I wouldn’t go with Luke Brooks.”

News Corp spoke to multiple sources in and around the club but each was perplexed about who’d be named 2022 captain. Even board members say they haven’t been told.

Despite the club’s round one match fast approaching – it’s against Melbourne on March 12 – Tamou told Fox Sports last Friday night he was unaware whether he would be retained as the club’s leader.

Wests Tigers are the only Sydney club yet to formally announce their skipper for this year.

Tamou, Doueihi and Brooks would be frontline contenders although Alex Twal could gain some support.

But it is Doueihi who has secured some heavyweight backing from a core of former Tigers legends.

Brooks was a stand in captain ahead of Doueihi last year when Tamou was out with a foot injury. There is a suggestion Brooks may start the year as skipper before Doueihi returns from a knee injury some time after round 10.

“The club needs to do something different and they need to test the waters. They can’t keep doing the same thing. It’s been over a decade since we played in the finals,” said Tigers great Ben Elias.

“We can build a club around Doueihi. Adam is the complete footballer and is highly regarded and respected by the players.

“He is also presentable off the field. He is articulate and has a great image. We could do a lot worse than a kid like him.

“I’d go for one of the halves – Brooks or Doueihi. One of those two has to be the captain. If pushed, I’d go with Doueihi.”

While Brooks is highly regarded, Jack was another to support Doueihi as captain.

“Doueihi is a very good player,” Jack said. “He is going to be in your first grade side every week, that’s the big thing, he can read a game and he’s one of your best players.

“I think he’s a player of the future and seems quite a respectful young player. Hopefully he will be at the club long-term.

“He has grabbed his opportunity since coming from Souths.”

Legendary winger Corowa added: “Doueihi would probably be the prime contender. For the last three years, he has consolidated a first grade spot.

“He has the respect and is starting to play good football.

“But if Adam was injured, I’d look at Jackson Hastings. He is a good organiser and he talks on the field. He’s not afraid to say his piece.

“I wouldn’t go with Brooks for the big ‘c’.”

Former Tigers champion Tim Brasher said the club needed a leader more than a veteran voice.

“A captain has to be a leader and someone not afraid to make a hard call because his mates might not like it,” Brasher said.