NRL 2020 signing news: Adam Doueihi joins Wests Tigers
After beating the Sydney Roosters to his signature, Wests Tigers believe Adam Doueihi’s multimillion-dollar contract is a better deal than what they would have paid for Latrell Mitchell.
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Wests Tigers are convinced they “absolutely” came out on top in the NRL player trade war by signing Adam Doueihi and BJ Leilua for considerably less than they would have paid Latrell Mitchell.
In the wake of The Daily Telegraph’s exclusive report that the Tigers had trumped the high flying Sydney Roosters to sign Doueihi to a lucrative four-year deal worth well over $2 million, coach Michael Maguire also revealed that Doueihi has not been promised the fullback spot as has been widely speculated.
But Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe didn’t beat around the bush when questioned if his club had finished with the better deal.
While it should not be forgotten that the Tigers ultimately pulled their reported $1.2 million a season offer before Mitchell ended up at South Sydney, Pascoe declared: “Absolutely. We are very happy.
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“I think with BJ and Adam we have added some real strength and depth to our playing roster and there is going to be real competition for spots now.”
Make no mistake, this is a massive win for the battling Tigers who really needed to land a couple of solid blows on the player market to show that the club can mix it with the big boys, and they don’t come much bigger than standing toe-to-toe with back-to-back reigning premiers.
While Doueihi was said to be extremely interested with the Roosters’ two-year-offer after a meeting with Trent Robinson, it was the promise of long term security and the chance to own a permanent position at the Tigers that secured the deal.
At the Roosters Doueihi most likely would have played the utility role. But what Maguire said was not promised was playing fullback.
“I will give him a shot in the trials and see how he is going,” Maguire said.
“I have also got Corey Thompson there as well performing at a really high level.
“One thing it has really done is that it has given us competition within our own squad, which is the key to any team’s success.”
Pascoe added: “The promise is that we will do everything in our power to make sure he has the resources and the coaching to make sure he becomes the best player he can be, in whatever position that is.”
While it’s most likely Doueihi will play fullback this year, centre is also an option and long term he could just as easily transition into the five-eighth role after Benji Marshall retires.
What could also impact the starting line-up is the expected arrival of young Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant who is being traded with centre Paul Momirovski, with the swap likely to be finalised on Thursday.
That would also leave Moses Mbye looking for his own spot in the backline given he’s been training at dummy half.
Depending on who you listen to, the speculation is Doueihi will collect between $2.5 million and $2.1 over the four year term.
Importantly, it is understood the Tigers are only forking out $1.9 million of that total given Souths have already paid a significant chunk of Doueihi’s reported $550,000 salary for this season and are expected to chip in another $50,000 of next year’s reported $600,000 salary.
What is unlikely is that Doueihi would be taking a pay cut for his third and fourth seasons given he is only 21 now and his best years are way ahead of him.
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Whatever the reality, Doueihi has certainly landed on his feet given his career was left at the crossroads when Mitchell arrived at the Rabbitohs just a couple of weeks back.
“You know what the one consistent thing in respect to people’s opinions of him is?” Pascoe said.
“Whether they think he is a centre, a one or a six, they all say he is a good kid with a really strong family.
“I went and met him on Monday with his dad and they are a good family. This is exciting.
“He is a local junior and we are very pleased to welcome him home and to add him to what is becoming a really strong roster.”
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