Adam Doueihi insists God was the reason he returned to rugby league after rupturing his ACL for a third time.
Doueihi started attending St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Croydon, in Sydney’s inner west, to pray every day after suffering an injury that could have easily ended his NRL career.
The Wests Tigers centre broke down in a game on Easter Monday nearly two years ago. When you politely point out the irony of the date, Doueihi laughs and says: “I was aware of that.
“It’s hard to explain to people who are not of faith, or follow Catholicism or Christianity, but by me turning to Him and speaking to Him one on one, if it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t have come back from this injury. I truly believe that.
“I still go to church every day. They have a midday slot through the week, and I’ll go on a day off, or even duck away from training because the church is only around the corner.
“I never thought the third ACL would happen. It was definitely a low point in my career and in my life. I was in a dark place. The only way I was going to overcome it was by turning to my family and my faith.”
Adam Doueihi is the Wests Tigers’ forgotten feel-good story.Credit: Steven Siewert
The Tigers have attracted plenty of headlines in recent weeks. If it wasn’t Jarome Luai’s absence from the trial matches due to injury, it was Sunia Turuva’s appendicitis scare during a pre-season army camp, the signing of prop Terrell May, the possible addition of his younger brother Taylan, or David Klemmer’s exit to join St George Illawarra.
But the forgotten feelgood story for the Tigers is Doueihi’s comeback from his latest knee injury. He returned from surgery late last season, but was always going to benefit from a full block of training during summer.
Doueihi, now 26, spent his first two seasons in the NRL at South Sydney before he was let go to make way for Latrell Mitchell.
He returned to the Tigers, the club where he began his career as a junior, only to struggle with injuries the past four seasons – he ruptured his ACL for a second time in 2021 – and was frustrated he could not help stop the rot as the Tigers collected three straight wooden spoons.
Adam Doueihi crosses in the corner against South Sydney last year.Credit: Getty Images
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson said Doueihi was one of the fiercest competitors he had met, and recalled Doueihi being sent to the sin bin in his first game for Souths in the under-20s competition in 2017.
“We were getting flogged at the time, but Adam kept trying and competing and ended up getting sin-binned because the emotions got the better of him,” Richardson says.
Doueihi remembered that game – against a Tigers side boasting a young Ryan Papenhuyzen – well, and blamed his combustible nature on his heritage.
“Wanting to always compete is in the Lebanese DNA,” Doueihi says. “I got marched for 10 for spraying the ref – the inner Adam came out and I went a bit mad.
“I’m a pretty bad loser. I hate losing at anything. Even if I’m bad at something, I’ll do my best to win, and if I don’t, I’ll chuck a tantrum.
“I had a lot of scuffles with my brothers in the backyard. We’d often punch on, but wake up and always hug it out.
“My dad [Paul] taught me to work hard and compete for everything. A lot of my attributes are from him. I came through the juniors and won a lot. I played rep footy, including Australian Schoolboys rugby. I still hate losing.”
Doueihi can only shake his head at the mention of the Tigers’ woes while sitting down for our chat at Concord Oval after training this week.
“It definitely gets draining,” he says. “My first two years at Souths we made the prelims both years. We were almost winning games for fun.
The Wests Tigers’ centre at training this week.Credit: Steve Siewert
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the Tigers, and when I first came back, I really thought I could help us get success, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Losing so often makes the weeks and seasons go longer.
“We’ve since brought in some winners. That is only going to benefit us.”
Doueihi is one of the few players in the game who manages himself. He brokered his last one-year extension by dealing directly with Richardson.
After round six, and provided Doueihi is in good form, Richardson said the pair would sit down and commence negotiations about next year.
“Managing yourself means you also save your 7 per cent [management fee]. Saving cash is also a part of the Lebanese DNA.”
Adam Doueihi
“Adam has had an atrocious run with injuries,” Richardson says. “He’s a great kid from a great family, and we only want what’s best for him.
“If his future is with us, that’s great. If it’s somewhere else where he can get a better deal, we’ll understand that. He’s a good person who deserves to be treated properly.”
Adam Doueihi after suffering a third ruptured ACL against Parramatta in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Doueihi is unperturbed by talk of Taylan May being on the radar of the Tigers and pinching his left-centre position. May is free to return to the NRL after domestic violence charges against him were withdrawn on Monday.
“Taylan is a really good footy player and has come from a successful club [Penrith],” Doueihi says. “Terrell been a great find for us. Taylan would only add more depth and competition for us. We’ll see what happens.
“I’ve managed myself the past couple of years. Through my dad and his circle of friends and the Lebanese community, there are a lot of people who run successful businesses and are good negotiators. They are all a good sounding board for me.
“I had a few casual calls over the off-season with people at other clubs. It was nothing too serious. I know there’s interest. The Dragons were one club that reached out, which was reported.
“I just know if I play consistent footy that something will come up. Managing yourself means you also save your 7 per cent [management fee]. Saving cash is also a part of the Lebanese DNA.”
One club where Doueihi would fit right in is Sunday’s rival, Parramatta. Doueihi already has a halves combination with Mitchell Moses from their time with Lebanon. The Eels need a five-eighth, one of several positions Doueihi has played at NRL level.
But he only has eyes for round six, which will be his 100th game. It’s taken him a while to get there and, god willing, there won’t be any more setbacks.
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