The Wests Tigers 2023 season appears to be going from bad to worse, with confirmation that one star’s season is all but ended and another will have a lengthy layoff.
Brent Naden and Adam Doueihi were both injured within minutes of each other as the Tigers attempted to build a comeback against the Eels, but fell short 28-22.Naden was the first to go down with a probable broken collarbone, sustained just after scoring the Tigers’ third goal of the day.
Cameras captured Naden clutching at his shoulder immediately after scoring, with replays showing the centre landing heavily on it.
In a horrific situation just minutes later, the Tigers’ injury difficulties worsened.
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Doueihi made a terrific take off a short Clint Gutherson dropout with a comeback charge against the Eels in full flow. However, as he landed, something in his left knee could be seen giving way.
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The Tigers instantly went to the ground and were helped off the pitch. Coach Tim Sheens announced after the game that club doctors suspected a second ACL damage.
Doueihi’s 2018 season at South Sydney was cut short due to an ACL injury in the same knee, as was his 2021 season.
Earlier in the day, the club’s depth took a hit when young winger Jordan Hill suffered his second ACL injury playing for the Tigers’ feeder club, Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup.
“Not a good day for us in that regard,” a deflated-looking Tim Sheens said after the match.
Former Tiger Mitch Moses almost single-handedly led the Eels to victory, setting up three tries from kicks and a fourth from a long pass to Maika Sivo on the wing.
“Three tries from kicks, his goal kicking – hitting the posts and going in all that sort of thing. When it’s your day, it’s your day isn’t it,” Sheens said.
