He’s the Mr Fix-It who can hold Tigers together. He can’t follow Galvin and Da Silva out the door

You can only hope the Wests Tigers don’t drag their feet much longer when it comes to tabling Adam Doueihi a new deal.

Doueihi was the hero at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon when he put his hand up for the ball, then launched a wobbly field goal through the sticks to win the game with just a few seconds to go against the Gold Coast Titans.

One game never warrants a new contract. But Doueihi has consistently maintained a high level of performance when asked to play a variety of positions by coach Benji Marshall.

Tigers CEO Shane Richardson confirmed the club had offered Doueihi a one-year extension.

“We made Adam Doueihi an offer three weeks ago; it had nothing to do with Sunday’s performance,” said Richardson, who first signed Doueihi in 2016 when chief executive of South Sydney.

Douiehi and his agent, Isaac Moses, baulked at the initial offer, believed to be around $350,000. They were looking for a figure closer to $450,000 or $500,000, andwill meet with the Tigers this week to continue talks. Douihi remained tight-lipped when contacted on Monday.

The Tigers celebrate with Adam Doueihi after his late field goal won the match against the Titans at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images

Rival clubs are monitoring the situation, including St George Illawarra, who inquired about Doueihi’s services last year. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan sees him as a lock forward, a position that will need replacing when Jack de Belin joins Parramatta at the end of the year.

The Dragons intend to discuss the situation once recruitment boss Daniel Anderson gets settled into his new role next week.

Doueihi is a true Mr Fix-It. He had no problems filling in at centre this year, even though the club view Taylan May, Starford To’a and Heamasi Makasini – who will become eligible for NRL selection when he turns 18 this week – as their main options.

Jarome Luai and Latu Fainu are the long-term halves, but Doueihi is a first-class back-up option and loomed as the biggest threat in attack when asked to call the shots in the second half against Manly a few weeks ago.

Adam Doueihi has proved his versatility for the Tigers.Credit: Getty Images

The 26-year-old can even slot into fullback, where he played for Souths in the 2019 preliminary final, and the position he was originally signed to play when he first moved to the Tigers.

But lock forward is where Doueihi can benefit the Tigers most. His big body and ball-playing ability are two key attributes for the modern-day No.13.

Isaah Yeo and Jake Trbojevic have become first receivers and regularly feed their halves. Doueihi can do likewise with Luai and Fainu.

Doueihi is also a Balmain junior, a leader, loves the club, hates losing (which Tigers look more dejected after a defeat?) and deserves a chance to stick around for the overdue good times – which may finally be on the horizon after six years of coach sackings, player exits, wooden spoons and even Weber barbecue presentations.

The knock on Doueihi is that he has already ruptured his ACL three times. One more is likely to end his professional career. A highly spiritual man, Doueihi remains convinced his faith has allowed him to stay on the park.

The Tigers cut loose Lachie Galvin to join Canterbury earlier this season. His good mate Tallyn Da Silva followed him out the door, to Parramatta, not long after.

On Tuesday, the Tigers confirmed they had extended co-captain Api Koroisau for a further two seasons until the end of 2028.

Hopefully they don’t forget Doueihi.

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