NRL 2023: Adam Doueihi re-signs with Wests Tigers, Jason Demetriou set to re-sign with Rabbitohs

Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi has revealed why he chose to stay on just a one-year deal, and opened up on his role in the team. See the latest transfer news.

The Rabbitohs are set to extend the contract of head coach Jason Demetriou by one-year. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Adam Doueihi has backed himself to earn a long term deal under Benji Marshall and secure the No. 6 jersey as the Wests Tigers prepare to give their fans a sneak peak of their new attacking style in their final trial against Canberra on Sunday afternoon.

As revealed by News Corp, Doueihi extended his contract for one more season this week, committing to the Tigers until the end of 2025.

It was an easy decision in the end given the changes at the Tigers under the new regime of Marshall, Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah.

The club has been swept up in a wave of optimism and Doueihi can’t wait for the season to begin.

“Benji has been really good for me personally – just giving me tips on the side,” Doueihi said. “He has told me he wants me here long term. I played with Benji and obviously worked alongside him a few years ago.

“I guess he knows my game and I feel as though he appreciates that. So fingers crossed I can have a good year this year and I wanted to back myself to push for a long-term contract.”

Adam Doueihi has backed himself to earn a long-term deal eventually, after re-signing with the Wests Tigers for one more year. Getty Images.

WHY HE STAYED

No-one would have blamed Doueihi had he put himself on the open market. in the three years he has spent at the tigers since the switch from south sydney, he has endured a rocky road.

Wins have been few and far between and injury has interrupted his tenure. Doueihi, however, insists he never contemplated leaving and is confident the club is on the way up under Sheens, Marshall and Farah.

“I am a local junior and I genuinely do have a connection to the club,” Doueihi said.

“I live five minutes away from training and I have always been a Tiger fan. Plus I am playing my preferred position in the six spot.

“I enjoy the group, I have enjoyed being coached under Benji, Tim and Robbie so far. I don’t know – I just feel comfortable here.

“I am enjoying it and I genuinely feel success isn’t far off. I am really happy with how the club recruited this off-season.

“I feel as though it has been the best recruitment the club has done in a few years, since I have been at the club.

“As I said, I have formed a close relationship with a lot of boys in the team and I feel as though we can cause a lot of damage the year.”

No one would have blamed Doueihi for considering his options, given the lean years at the club. Picture: Getty Images.

THE CAPTAINCY

The Tigers named Api Koroisau as their captain this week, the new recruit edging Doueihi among others to the role after a vote of players and coaching staff.

Doueihi insists he wasn’t upset. He is happy to learn under Koroisau and offer his support where needed.

“Not disappointed,” Doueihi said. “Obviously Api has won three grand finals, which is no easy thing to do. He comes from winning organisations.

“I guess he knows what success looks like. He is part of the spine and the spine steers the ship and calls all the shots.

“He obviously has more experience than me and learned under some good organisations. I am really happy for him and I will be there to help him out I guess.”

Captaincy aside, there has also been talk that Doueihi could move to fullback should Mitchell Moses elect to join the Tigers in 2024.

As far as Doueihi is concerned, five-eighth is his spot.

“I haven’t really spoken to him (Sheens) or Benji or anyone in the club about moving positions,” he said.

“I am not going to sit here and live in hypotheticals if Mitch comes. I have been told I am playing six and that I where they see me.”

Doueihi says he has been given an open licence to attack, as the Tigers look to play a new brand of footy under Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall. Picture: Getty Images.

THE NEW ERA

The Tigers have vowed to play an attacking brand of rugby league under their new coaching staff. It is a commitment that will get its first real road test on Sunday as the Tigers field a near-full strength line-up in their final trial against Canberra at Belmore Sports Ground.

“Obviously we’re not going to be throwing the ball around with no theory or no structure behind it,” Doueihi said. “But Benji has given me the licence when I do see an opportunity, I can take it and back myself. If it doesn’t come off then we just defend the next set.

“I am excited to get out there this Sunday. It is not like we are going to throw the ball willy-nilly. There is purpose behind it.

“I am really happy with what the club is doing and the direction it is going. It is definitely a feel good vibe at the moment but we know training doesn’t mean much.

“Once games come around it is going to tell us a lot more about how we are going. So I am looking forward to playing Sunday.”

EXCLUSIVE: SECOND NRL CLUB LOCK DOWN OFF-CONTRACT COACH

—Peter Badel & Brent Read

South Sydney have staved off a poaching raid for Jason Demetriou and will sign him to a new deal as they back the Rabbitohs coach to deliver a premiership in the post-Wayne Bennett era.

News Corp can reveal Souths bosses and Demetriou are in negotiations on a 12-month extension in a coup for the rising NRL mentor ahead of Saturday night’s Charity Shield clash against the Dragons in Mudgee.

It is understood at least one rival NRL club has sounded out Demetriou, who steered Souths to the preliminary final last season in his first year in charge after taking over from super coach Bennett.

The Rabbitohs are set to extend the contract of head coach Jason Demetriou by one-year. Picture: Tim Hunter.

But Demetriou is going nowhere and will commit to another term at the club that launched his career as an NRL head coach.

Bennett’s Chosen One as his successor, Souths activated an option on Demetriou for the 2024 season and the Rabbitohs are in talks on a fresh upgrade to keep him at Redfern until the end of 2025.

As Demetriou prepares for Souths’ final pre-season hitout against the Dragons at Glen Willow Oval, his management confirmed the 47-year-old is poised to ink an upgrade to stay at the Rabbitohs.

“We are in constant discussions with the club with regards to Jason’s future”, said Chris Orr of PSM.

“Talks have been very positive, they are heading in the right direction. Jason is very happy at Souths. He has a good relationship with his players, staff and takes a real interest in South Sydney’s DNA and Rabbitohs culture.

“He showed his ability last season getting Souths to within one game of the grand final.

“I’m sure Jason would have interest out there, but our focus has only been on securing his future with Souths.”

Demetriou took the Rabbitohs to within one game of the Grand Final in his first year in charge at the Bunnies. Picture: Getty Images.

The Demetriou upgrade could be finalised before Souths’ season opener against the Sharks on Saturday, March 4.

Demetriou, who has won four premierships in the second-tier, initially joined Bennett as an assistant at the Broncos in 2017 before accompanying the super coach to South Sydney two years later.

After serving a three-year apprenticeship under Bennett at Redfern, Demetriou stepped into the hot seat last season and overcame a patchy start to steer South Sydney to the playoffs.

The Rabbitohs were beaten by eventual premiers Penrith in the grand-final qualifier as Demetriou amassed 16 wins in his rookie season, including big-game boilovers of the Roosters and Cronulla in their charge to the preliminary final.

Souths chief executive Blake Solly lauded Demetriou’s impact at the club.

“JD had a great first season which was one of the reasons we took up the option and extended his deal until the end of the 2024 season,” Solly said.

“JD in his time at the club has been great not only with the NRL squad, but working with developing talent through our pathway systems.

“We’re really happy with what Jason brings to the club and think he is the right man for the job.

“We will continue working with him on a further extension in the coming months.”

Souths skipper Cameron Murray said of Demetriou last year: “He was always going to be a good head coach. I knew that from the moment I saw him walk in the doors and heard him speak.”

Wayne Bennett backed Demetriou as his replacement and his re-signing shows the Bunnies back him too. Picture: Getty Images.

When Demetriou took over from Bennett last year, the supercoach told News Corp he had no doubt his protégé would handle the top job.

“I have great faith in Jason. I believe he will have longevity in the role,” Bennett said.

“Jason has done a great apprenticeship and has all the qualities to be a good NRL coach.

“There’s several things. He is passionate. He knows the game. Tactically, he is very good. He is great with players, he has good empathy for them and most importantly, he has proven he can win trophies.”