Adam Doueihi Refuses to Play for Wests Tigers After Dispute With Benji Marshall

The Wests Tigers are facing a new crisis at their Concord headquarters. Adam Doueihi, widely considered the team’s best player this season, has walked out on the club after a confrontation with coach Benji Marshall. The fallout ensures Doueihi will be absent from the upcoming away game in Canberra.

The Dispute Over the Number Seven Jumper

The tension peaked on Thursday morning during a meeting between the player and the coach. According to Zero Tackle, Marshall informed Doueihi that he would not be starting at halfback. Instead, the coach intended to debut Javon Andrews in the halves alongside Jarome Luai, while Doueihi would be shifted to the middle, potentially starting at lock or coming off the bench as a substitute for Alex Twal.

This decision came as a shock to Doueihi. He had been named in the reserves earlier in the week, but after successfully challenging a high-tackle charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday evening, he expected to slot directly back into the halfback role. sportingnews.com reports that Doueihi expressed his frustration during an exchange with Marshall before leaving the training facility.

Mielekamp further clarified the situation to News Corp and the msn.com, stating: Adam and Benji met this morning to discuss a plan for the weekend. Benji made a call on what’s best for the team but as a result Adam has asked for some time off and we agree to that.

Conflicting Accounts of the Confrontation

The Daily Mail’s reporting suggests a different catalyst for the tension, alleging the incident began when Doueihi was upset by the force of a tackle Marshall delivered during a training drill. However, Fox Sports and other sources tie the refusal to play directly to the positional shift and the decision to bench a key playmaker.

Doueihi maintained that he and Marshall are on very good terms, despite the club’s confirmation that he is taking time away.

A Roster in Flux and a Season Unravelling

This internal strife occurs as the Tigers struggle to find stability. The team is currently sitting in the bottom four and is desperate to break a run of six successive defeats. The loss of Doueihi is compounded by the unavailability of half Latu Fainu, who received a three-match ban from the judiciary.

The club is also navigating a significant transition in its halves pairing. Jarome Luai is confirmed to leave the club at the end of the year to join the Parramatta Eels before moving to the PNG Chiefs. The Tigers’ decision to blood Javon Andrews now is an attempt to prepare for that future, but it has created immediate friction with Doueihi, who is under contract until the end of 2029.

The instability extends beyond the playing group. The Dailymail highlighted recent departures of local juniors, including hooker Tallyn Da Silva’s move to Parramatta and Lachlan Galvin’s move to the Bulldogs in June.

The Stakes for Benji Marshall

For Benji Marshall, the Doueihi situation is a high-stakes test of his authority and culture. Marshall has previously emphasized that players must fit the club’s standards.

When asked about the selection process, Marshall remained guarded, stating: You always want your best players playing, and for us, it’s no different.

The Tigers now face the Canberra Raiders away from home, seeking their first victory since Round 15, while the club waits to see if this rift will jeopardize Doueihi’s long-term future at Concord.