Wests Tigers Coach Benji Marshall has shown his strong support for Adam Doueihi with the half-back declaring he is ‘locked in’ at the club for the next three years.
Both men fronted the media at Concord Oval on Wednesday after Doueihi elected not to play in last week’s match against Canberra.
Doueihi has been named at half for Sunday’s match against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium, with Marshall declaring the issue had now been settled.
“For me, we both love the club so much, and we both want the club to succeed,’’ Marshall said.
“The best thing for us moving forward is that he plays this week.
“Sometimes, you got to put your ego to the side and think about what the team needs and what the club needs, and what we’re going through, and what our fans need is a win.
“Speaking with Adam, he reaffirmed to me that he is there for me and the club for the long term. He's all in.
“He is focused on playing this week and it was reassuring to hear that from him.
“When it all happened, I wanted Adam to play, and I kept trying to get to him to make him play.
“But when you’re in a headspace that you don’t feel like you can, it’s hard to get to that point. I was prepared to do everything possible to have him play.
“What I could see was a young guy who was emotionally hurting and needed support and wasn't in a headspace to play, which was obvious to me.
“Coaching is not just about black and white and what you believe the best thing and the right thing. It's actually dealing with human beings and people.”
Doueihi said he was accountable for his actions and said despite speculation he may leave before the end of his contract, that he was more than happy at Wests Tigers.
“Looking back, I guess at times as a player, I can be a bit stubborn and I spoke to Benji and I know at times I can be a hard player to deal with,’’ Doueihi admitted.
“He knows and I know my love for this club. I have never shied away from that and it’s just got stronger now.
“I should have played. I definitely should have played. I am wrong in that sense.
“I got into a headspace where I lost my head a bit and I accepted that.
“It hurt watching the boys on the weekend, it really did, that I couldn't be out there for my brothers, for my players, for Benji, for the fans, especially. Yeah, that hurt.
“I play and wear my heart on my sleeve and love putting the badge on. I really do feel for our fans. I let them down on the weekend.”
Doueihi admitted the pressure of losing, being cleared by the judiciary, along with some miscommunication and overthinking, got the better of him last week.
“I’m happy to wear all the criticism that comes my way. The noise was loud, but did I want to bring that noise to Benji or to the club? No, that wasn't my intention,’’ Doueihi added.
“Is it a bad look for my playing group? Yeah, and I wear that. I had a really good conversation with them yesterday (Tuesday) about that, and to see their reaction after, just reassured that they know who I am as a person and as a man, and my intentions have always been in the right spot.
“In terms of the positional switch, I spoke to Benji about that.
“Benj knows I'll play front row for him. I never put myself above the team. It’s just something that I don’t do.
“In terms of my future, I’m here for the next three years. I've never walked away from a contract in my life. My love for the club is evident.”
Watch Benji's interview here on Wests Tigers YouTube
Watch Adam's interview on Wests Tigers YouTube
