When Tigers star Adam Doueihi suffered the third serious knee injury of his career against the Eels on Easter Monday last year, it was a heart-breaking moment.
Many wondered whether he’d return the same player, considering he was set for another lengthy sideline stint.
Despite a third knee reconstruction and 14 months on the sideline, Doueihi made his return to the NRL stage for the first time since that Easter Monday game in Sunday night’s 48-24 win over the Raiders.
Doueihi showed that not only has he recovered well from the injury, but hasn’t lost a step of pace either, intercepting a Jordan Rapana pass and outrunning speedy Raiders halfback Kaeo Weekes to score the game-sealing try in what Fox League commentator Andrew Voss described as a “beautiful moment”.
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Tigers coach Benji Marshall lauded Doueihi’s persistence and ability to have an instance impact in his first up run.
“He’s been out for 14 months and first game in first grade does what he does today. That’s class,” Marshall said.
“I’s a big effort. To see him play how the way he did today with his intent and wanting the footy, playing in centre, doing what’s best for the team, it’s pretty big.”
Doueihi played in the centres against the Raiders having been called into the Tigers side after Justin Olam was ruled out 24 hours before the game with a knee issue.
Marshall explained that in a perfect world, he wouldn’t have had Doueihi run out for the first grade side this week.
“I only told Doueihi that he was playing yesterday. I was going to leave him in NSW Cup but then Justin Olam pulled out so it was a last minute decision,” Marshall said.
“Yeah there was (hesitation to pick him). Just about if we were doing the right thing by him. I even double checked with him last night and he was extremely confident.
“He has been harassing me for three weeks. Honestly.
“Last week I thought he showed enough and then I watched him trained during the week and he was ready. I think he proved it.”
Speaking on Channel 9 after the win, Doueihi said he felt “goose bumps”.
“I haven’t played in 14 months and just re-signed for the club — been a good week for me.
“I love playing here, I love this club and just love playing footy. I’m really proud of myself from coming back from three (knee reconstructions).
“I’ve got a lot of family and friends here that have rode the wave with me. To just see the crowd and the support of the club and the whole NRL, it’s been really overwhelming and I just can’t believe I’m back to be honest.”
In his return game, Doueihi was the match leader in running metres (174), had five tackle busts, a try and a try assist.
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His skipper Api Koroisau was by no means surprised, revealing Doueihi had been “carving” his teammates up at training in readiness for his return.
“We obviously had a lot of injuries leading into this game and to have someone so experienced, but like you said, he’s put in the work,” Koroisau said.
“He’s put in the work, at training he’s been carving us up and to see him come back full of confidence. He wasn’t holding back.
“It made everyone else feel confident as well.”