‘Gonna cry’: Adam Doueihi gets ‘goosebumps’ as ‘miracle’ sends NRL into hysterics
Wests Tigers fans have given one of the club’s biggest stars a standing ovation after returning for the first time in 14 months.
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The Wests Tigers have proven there’s life in the club yet after a 48-24 domination of the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Last week, there were calls for the Tigers to move in full-time to Leichhardt Oval after an 18-10 win over the Gold Coast to snap the third longest losing streak in club history.
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It led to calls of all Tigers home games being played at Leichhardt but Campbelltown has put in a good account of itself if the scoreline is anything to go by.
The result lifts the Tigers off the bottom of the ladder, dropping Parramatta into 17th on points differential.
The match also doubled as the return of Adam Doueihi after 439 days on the sidelines.
Doueihi needed a knee reconstruction after his third ACL tear but looked like he hadn’t missed a beat on his return.
Playing in the centres, Doueihi ran 212m with a try assist and two line breaks.
But in the 73rd minute, he showed just how the recovery had gone as he raced away for an intercept try.
Latching onto the pass 20m out from his own line, Doueihi outpaced Raiders half Kaeo Weekes.
“Three knee reconstructions, now he’s got the ultimate fitness test — and Adam Doueihi writes a headline,” Andrew Voss said. “It is a miracle, for both the medical world and the rugby league world.”
He added there were “hairs on the back of the neck standing up” for the stunning comeback.
Doueihi immediately left the field with the Tigers fans giving him a standing ovation.
“He’s wholehearted and he deserves that moment there,” Cooper Cronk added.
“Apologies to the Raiders but that’s a beautiful moment,” Voss said.
On Channel 9, Brenton Speed was excited — so excited he had a slip of the tongue.
“What a moment, more than 400 years out … 400 days out,” Speed corrected.
“I’m sure it felt like 400 years,” Phil Gould said. “To think about modern science and medical mysteries. Three ACLs, the last surgery has taken 18 months with bone grafting so that they could repair the ACL.
“Brilliant stuff.”
Speaking to Nine after full-time, Doueihi was thrilled to be back.
“I can’t describe it (being back in the NRL) to be honest,” Doueihi said.
“I haven’t played in 14 months and just re-signed for the club — been a good week for me.
“I love playing here, I love this club and just love playing footy.
“I’m really proud of myself from coming back from three.”
Asked if he thought he was going to get caught after the intercept, he said: “I thought I was no hope”.
As he left the field to a standing ovation with the crowd chanting his name, Doueihi said: “I had goosebumps”.
“I’ve got a lot of family and friends here that have rode the wave with me. To just see the crowd and the support of the club and the whole NRL, it’s been really overwhelming and I just can’t believe I’m back to be honest.”
Fans were thrilled for the 25-year-old.
Western Weekender reporter Lachlan Jeffrey wrote: “There’s a good test for the knees. Well deserved try for a man who has had a great game after a long time out.”
The SuperCoach Brain X account added: “Doueihi outruns Kaeo Weekes. You wouldn’t read about it but love to see it.”
One fan wrote: “Welcome back to the NRL Adam Doueihi!!”
Another commented: “Good boy Doueihi!!!”
A third said: “Great moment for Adam long road back to first grade good on him.”
Another tweeted: “Doueihi ong why am I gonna cry.”
Post-match, coach Benji Marshall said he was going to leave Doueihi in NSW Cup for another week until a late injury.
The result is even better considering it was considered a must-win match for the Raiders to push their credentials for a place in the top eight.
However, the loss has seen the Raiders stay in 10th on the ladder with a clash against ladder-leaders Melbourne next week.
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Originally published as ‘Gonna cry’: Adam Doueihi gets ‘goosebumps’ as ‘miracle’ sends NRL into hysterics
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