分类： sports

In a significant move signaling long-term stability, the Wests Tigers have solidified their playmaking future by securing halfback Adam Doueihi on a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the conclusion of the 2029 NRL season. The announcement arrives on the eve of the Tigers’ season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, providing a substantial morale boost for the team and its supporters.

Doueihi, whose existing contract ran through 2027, has committed to an additional two years, effectively eliminating any possibility of a move to the league’s forthcoming expansion franchises. The 27-year-old Lebanese international, who debuted with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2018, has persevered through a career punctuated by multiple severe knee injuries during his six seasons with the Tigers.

This new agreement cements Doueihi’s role as the cornerstone of the Tigers’ rebuilding phase under head coach Benji Marshall. He is poised to further develop his pivotal halves partnership with five-eighth Jarome Luai, a combination central to the club’s strategic ambitions. Having previously been utilized in various backline positions and even at lock forward, Doueihi now finds a settled home in the crucial No. 7 jersey, providing the team with much-needed consistency.

Expressing his commitment, Doueihi stated, ‘I’m really excited to be locked in with the Tigers for the next four seasons. It’s a special place for me and my family. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. We’re building something special here amongst this group and I’m looking forward to repaying the faith shown in me by Benji and the club on the field.’

Coach Benji Marshall praised the re-signing, highlighting both Doueihi’s on-field value and off-field leadership. ‘It’s a credit to Adam’s character and work ethic to bounce back from injuries and put himself in this position. Not only do we value what Adam brings us on the field, his leadership and influence off it are just as important,’ Marshall remarked, underscoring the multifaceted benefits of retaining the resilient playmaker as the Tigers continue their journey toward finals contention.

In the high-stakes arena of the NRL, Penrith Panthers winger Tom Jenkins has revealed the profound personal challenge of maintaining team loyalty amidst profound professional disappointment. The emerging star recently detailed the emotional turmoil of being dropped from the finals squad last season, a decision he was forced to conceal during media engagements just days before a critical playoff match.

The narrative of Jenkins’ career resurgence with the Panthers last season, marked by an impressive 13 tries in 21 appearances, made his subsequent omission from the finals lineup a particularly bitter pill to swallow. The pivotal moment occurred on September 8th, when coach Ivan Cleary delivered the crushing news that Jenkins would be replaced by Paul Alamoti for their upcoming finals clash against the New Zealand Warriors. This revelation came immediately before Jenkins faced journalists, requiring him to enthusiastically discuss the prospect of his first finals experience while knowing he wouldn’t participate.

Despite the personal devastation, Jenkins emphasized his commitment to team ethics. ‘I like to be an honest person so it was hard to be misleading,’ Jenkins confessed to NewsWire, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation while accepting the strategic decision. He expressed particular appreciation for Cleary’s direct and timely communication, which allowed him to process the disappointment while remaining prepared as a potential replacement should injuries occur.

The coaching decision proved strategically sound as Alamoti delivered exceptional performances during the finals series, including a dominant display against the Bulldogs with three tries and 15 tackle busts. This validation prompted Jenkins to dedicate his preseason to comprehensive physical development, focusing on strength conditioning and tactical improvements under the guidance of the team’s performance staff.

Jenkins’ perseverance yielded dividends in the current season when he earned a starting position against the Brisbane Broncos, responding with a decisive double-try performance. His continued selection over Izack Tago for the upcoming match against Cronulla underscores his renewed standing within the squad. Jenkins and the Panthers approach this fixture determined to avoid a recurrence of last year’s disappointing loss to the Knights in Bathurst—a defeat that ultimately catalyzed their season turnaround but remains a memory the team is eager to supersede with current successes.

In a tense Thursday night clash at the MCG, the Carlton Blues secured a hard-fought four-point victory over Richmond, narrowly avoiding a second-half collapse reminiscent of last year’s opening round defeat. The win held profound significance for Coach Michael Voss, who acknowledged his team had been heavily scrutinized from all angles throughout the preceding week.

Voss opened his post-match press conference with a wry remark, questioning the sanity of anyone choosing the coaching profession, a nod to the intense pressure his team faced. He emphatically stated that this victory represented more than just four competition points—it was a crucial response for the entire club.

Despite establishing a five-goal halftime buffer, Carlton’s performance grew precarious after the main break, managing just one goal in the second half while desperately holding off a surging Richmond. Voss praised his squad’s resilience when confronted with adversity, particularly their ability to shift defensive modes during critical final-quarter moments.

The coach referenced the unwanted publicity stemming from former captain Sam Docherty’s analysis that aired on the ‘Dan Does Footy’ podcast, creating additional external pressure. Voss specifically highlighted the significance of winning fierce rivalries regardless of ladder positions, emphasizing that such victories prove invaluable as the competition develops.

While acknowledging third-quarter execution issues that allowed Richmond back into the contest, Voss chose to focus on the positive aspects of his team’s response. He expressed particular pleasure for the club’s passionate supporter base and dedicated the victory to everyone connected with the Blues organization, celebrating the character shown under duress.

New Richmond coach Adem Yze expressed profound disappointment following his team’s narrow Round 1 defeat to Carlton at the MCG on Thursday, acknowledging his squad had let a crucial victory slip through their grasp. Despite mounting a impressive second-half comeback that brought the Tigers within striking distance, inefficient execution—particularly in front of goal—proved decisive in the final outcome. Yze identified his team’s regained control after halftime as both the foundation of their resurgence and the core of his subsequent frustration. While refusing to single out individuals, the coach specifically addressed veteran forward Tom Lynch’s statistically poor performance of 2.7 from ten scoring opportunities. Yze offered a staunch defense of his key attacker, arguing that the sheer volume of chances created was actually a positive indicator. He attributed Lynch’s wayward kicking to difficult blustery conditions affecting both sides and emphasized he would be more concerned if the forward wasn’t generating opportunities at all. The coach further defended Lynch’s physical approach—which resulted in five conceded free kicks—suggesting that playing ‘on edge’ is integral to his aggressive style and potency. Yze concluded that the finishing, which he described as ‘the cream on the top,’ is a correctable issue, expressing pride in the team’s fighting response after a subpar first half but conceding the overall result felt like a missed opportunity.

In a significant shift from their previous conduct, the North Korean women’s football team has formally committed to maintaining sideline decorum during their upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-final match against host nation Australia. This pledge comes directly from coach Ri Song Ho, who addressed journalists in Perth on Thursday through an interpreter.

The commitment follows a controversial incident during Monday’s group stage encounter against China, where North Korean players staged a four-minute on-field protest. The dispute erupted when Chinese forward Wang Shuang, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, scored during first-half stoppage time. The North Korean squad vehemently demanded video review assistance, resulting in coach Ri receiving a yellow card for his involvement in the confrontation amid audible disapproval from spectators.

Friday’s match at Perth Rectangular Stadium presents multiple high-stakes opportunities for both teams. Beyond securing a semi-final position, the outcome carries implications for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the tournament’s top six finishers earning automatic berths.

North Korea enters the contest with a rejuvenated squad, having successfully defended their Under-17 World Cup title in Morocco last year before capturing the Under-20 World Championship in Colombia this year. Talented striker Choe Il Son, who contributed to both youth tournament victories before advancing to the senior national team, expressed confidence in her squad’s preparedness.

“We recognize Australia’s formidable quality,” Choe stated. “We will demonstrate mutual support and perform at our maximum capacity. Our team possesses considerable talent, and we have undertaken meticulous preparations. We anticipate showcasing our capabilities on the pitch.”

The match will feature Australia’s veteran striker Sam Kerr as the sole remaining participant from the teams’ memorable 2010 final encounter, which concluded 1-1 before Australia prevailed on penalties.