‘Really proud’: Benji’s admission after Doueihi makes dramatic return

Adam Doueihi’s return came agonisingly close to paying off for the Wests Tigers, but his second-half heroics were undone in a narrow 16-13 loss to Parramatta.

After a well-documented argument with Benji Marshall saw him sit out last week’s game, Doueihi was back on Sunday and scored a crucial try before putting his side ahead with a field goal that looked set to seal a comeback win.

But with less than five minutes to go, the Eels regained the lead when fullback Isaiah Iongi burst through a gaping hole, derailing the Tigers’ comeback.

While the result didn’t pan out after a tumultuous period, Doueihi stood up with the eyes of the NRL on him, scoring a cracking try at CommBank Stadium.

“He’s back - all the talk the past week has been about Adam Doueihi, he knew he let his team down,” Billy Slater said on Nine.

“There was nothing happening, too many yellow jerseys in the picture, he gets back to where the tired forwards are and gets his way to the line.”

Phil Gould summed up the Doueihi situation perfectly.

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“It’s a funny game rugby league,” the legendary coach quipped.

He nearly put the Tigers ahead with 15 minutes to go, throwing a quick cut-out pass to Sunia Turuva in open space, but the winger dropped it cold.

In the first half, the 27-year-old had a classy early touch when he put Pat Herbert through a hole, before the centre was stopped centimetres before the line.

Herbert was ruled to have been dragged down short in a desperate tackle, which Bunker official Chris Butler was unable to overturn after multiple replays.

“That’s as close as it gets,” Gould said.

While it didn’t come up with points, Doueihi showed his intentions early and proved he was up for the task after copping widespread criticism.

Speaking post-game, Marshall threw his support behind Doueihi and said he was “really proud” of the experienced No.7 for overcoming the tough fortnight and the criticism levelled towards him and the club as a whole.

“I thought he was outstanding and I thought it showed true character given the week he had, to turn it around and put it into the performance,” Marshall said.

“I thought he showed moments tonight - repeat sets, set up a couple of tries, good kicking game and defensively he was solid - the Adam we all know.

“I’m really proud of him. It’s not about ‘a lot of people’ - it’s about what you think is best for the club and the team at the time and that was the decision we made.

“I’m feeling proud of the guys, it’s been tough. Through hardships and pain, you get the biggest growth and through tough times, you see whose character comes out. Today, I thought we showed a lot of character.

“The execution wasn’t there, but I’m feeling proud of the boys that we could get through that and put in that performance.”

After an error-riddled start from both sides, Parramatta finally ended the deadlock when Jordan Samrani out-jumped Jahream Bula to score from a kick.

There were likely some nervous moments for Eels fans as replays showed a slight bobble from Samrani, but it was eventually green-lit by the Bunker.

“We examine those contests way too much,” Gould said.

Will Penisini looked to have put the blue and gold outfit further ahead, but replays showed Mitch Moses dropped the ball into Jarome Luai before kicking it.

Tallyn Da Silva wouldn’t be denied against his old club, boosting the Eels before the half-time break as the Tigers were left searching for answers at 12-0 down.

Fonua Pole finally put the joint venture on the board with a rampaging solo try, scoring under the sticks after bumping off multiple Eels defenders.