Doueihi ready to reach new heights in 2021

Wests Tigers five-eighth Adam Doueihi is enjoying working alongside Luke Brooks in the halves and is eager for their combination to reach new heights throughout the 2021 season.

The pair were impressive in the side’s 24-20 win against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday, combining for three try assists and a try.

With Doueihi finding his feet in the five-eighth role, he’s grateful for having Brooks by his side as he improves as an NRL half.

“I’m enjoying working with Brooksy — he’s such a cool head and someone I can rely on,” Doueihi said.

“We’re going good and we’re not where we want to be at the moment but we’re building towards it … we’ll get our execution right.

“We’d like to work on as few attention to details things — some new variations so opponents don’t work out what we’re doing.”

Not only is there a fresh halves combination at the club, there’s also a completely new spine with fullback Daine Laurie joining the club and hooker Jacob Liddle being handed the number nine jersey.

“We’re a younger spine and Brooksy leads us around — he calls all the shots while we’re all still learning and growing off each other,” the five-eighth said.

“We’re pushing each other to be better every day … I’m enjoying playing with them.

“Daine has been pretty exciting at the back and Lids has been sharp and fast out of hooker. We’ll continue to work on the combinations.”

After missing Round 1 through suspension, Doueihi has returned for the past two games, and although he admitted he has lots to work on, he said he feels that he’s improving each week.

“I feel like I’m getting better. I’ve played two games there now and I thought I was better on the weekend than the week before,” Doueihi said.

Having recorded their first win of the 2021 campaign against the Knights in Round 3, there’s a higher sense of confidence amongst the club this week — according to Doueihi.

“There’s a better feeling than last week — winning helps and it’s good for our confidence,” he said,

“As much as we talk about confidence and belief over the pre-season, it doesn’t help if you’re losing games.

“For the new boys coming into the squad and with us building new combinations, it was great to get a win.

“We’re still building our combinations and we’re nowhere near where we want them to be but we’re on the right track.”

All focus now shifts to the Easter Monday clash against the Parramatta Eels at Stadium Australia.

“It’s obviously going to be exciting,” Doueihi said.

“The more Members and fans we can get out there on Monday, the better it’s going to be for us.

“They mean a lot for us. The reason we play this game is for the Members and the supporters — getting some wins for them.”