Spinal stability: Doueihi ready to fire as Tigers get band back together
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The Wests Tigers are confident coach Benji Marshall has conducted spine surgery for the final time as halfback Adam Doueihi prepares to return from a shoulder injury.
Injuries and suspensions to key players have prevented the side from building any momentum or stability throughout the year, with Marshall rolling out seven different spine combinations across 14 games.
The first-choice spine of Jahream Bula, Jarome Luai, Doueihi and Api Koroisau has played together just four times this season. The figure will rise to five in Sunday afternoon's clash with the Knights to close out Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
Adam Doueihi injures shoulder in scoring try
Despite the challenges, the Tigers sit 10th on the ladder, just two points outside the eight and well and truly in the finals hunt.
Having spent the past two months on the sidelines, Doueihi is determined to hit the ground running on Sunday.
"It's hard having a lot of injuries in the past few months," Doueihi said. "To see how well we started the season with our full team on the field is the bright side to [the injuries].
"We're starting to get some of our players back. I just want to form those combinations again, put our footy on and see where it takes us."
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The Tigers' spine struggles started when Jarome Luai injured his knee in a Round 3 loss to the Rabbitohs.
The five-eighth missed the next three games before returning in Round 7.
Fullback Jahream Bula injured his shoulder the following week and was sidelined for a month. Hooker Api Koroisau pulled the strings in the Round 8 win over the Raiders but he was handed a three-game suspension for hip-drop tackle and the spine hasn't been together since.
Adam Doueihi dominates
Doueihi dislocated his shoulder in the Round 9 loss to the Sharks, with Bula and Koroisau returning while he was sidelined. Finally, eight weeks later, the halfback's comeback will complete the puzzle.
"We got a taste of it at the start of the year when the team was healthy," forward Alex Seyfarth said.
"[We've seen what we can do] when we can get our combinations. We've worked really hard in the pre-season and we'll get a bit of a taste of it this week. It's good to see the boys back together."
Amid the injuries to key players, the Tigers have seen a number of others step up. Emerging back-rower Sione Fainu scored a double in last week's loss to the Dolphins, while Seyfarth is enjoying some of the best form of his career.
Now into his seventh year with the Tigers, the forward cracked the 100-game milestone earlier this season and has developed into a key figure in the pack.
Alex Seyfarth Try
Seyfarth started at lock throughout the past fortnight but will revert to the bench on Sunday afternoon if Alex Twal makes his return from a knee injury as planned.
Regardless of the role, the 27-year-old is determined to do everything he can to help the Tigers snap a 15-year finals drought.
"I've got that team-first mentality wherever the coach wants me," Seyfarth said. "I'll come back to the bench this week and bring some energy."
