The Wests Tigers are set to have a crucial crisis meeting with Adam Doueihi before Monday in hopes of resolving tensions following another hectic week at Concord.
Initially, Doueihi was slated to compete against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday after successfully navigating the judiciary process on Tuesday night. However, he decided to withdraw from the matchup due to dissatisfaction with a selection made by Benji Marshall.
Marshall informed Doueihi that he would either play at lock or come off the bench against the Raiders, while Jarome Luai, who is leaving the club at the season's end and has been underperforming, would team up with rookie Javon Andrews in the halves.
This situation prompted Doueihi to leave training and make himself unavailable for the weekend's game, with the club acknowledging that he wasn't in the right mental state to participate.
Doueihi's decision generated considerable reactions from fans of both the Tigers and opposing teams. Reports later emerged suggesting Marshall had a change of heart and wanted to place Doueihi at halfback, but he remained firm in his choice to sit out.
The Tigers are on the brink of missing the finals, especially if they fail to secure a win against the Raiders on Saturday, a challenge that has been complicated by Doueihi's absence.
Despite looking ahead to 2027, it appears that Doueihi remains a viable part of the club's future, and he has not asked for a release. The Tigers are also reluctant to terminate his contract, which runs until the end of 2029.
Both Benji Marshall and CEO Shaun Mielekamp are expected to be present at the meeting with Doueihi, aiming to resolve the situation and bring the oft-injured utility back into the lineup by next week.
Retaining Doueihi is essential for the Tigers' plans for 2027, especially given the inexperience in the halves without Luai. Other options include Andrews, Jock Madden, and Latu Fainu.