Repaying Tigers centre of Adam Doueihi's plans

But the 26-year-old returned from the latest of three anterior cruciate ligament injuries to finish 2024 at centre and has spent the majority of the ongoing preseason there.

"My knee's held up really good," Doueihi told AAP.

"Fingers crossed all my injuries are past me and I can just play some consistent, back-to-back footy and build my combos."

Jarome Luai and Lachie Galvin appear guaranteed to start in the halves come round one with Latu Fainu waiting in the wings as back-up.

That would leave Doueihi's hopes of a halves berth relying on multiple injuries.

But Doueihi, who has trained on both edges this preseason, is looking forward to the chance to work with Luai from the centres.

"I've told Benji (Marshall, coach) I'm happy there," he said.

"Especially with bringing an experienced half like Jarome to the club.

"If I get the opportunity to play alongside him and outside him, it'll be a great combination and will be great to learn off him. 

"I'm really happy with where I am if it does end up being centre."

Doueihi's combination of size and kicking ability at centre could provide an extra dimension to the Tigers' attack in 2025.

Also a half by trade, Matt Burton brought similar attributes to centre during Penrith's 2021 premiership season.

"I'm a bit of a different centre so we can sort of look into that," Doueihi said.

Off-season reports linked Doueihi with an immediate move to St George Illawarra as the joint venture sought Ben Hunt's replacement.

Though entering the final season of his deal, Doueihi never entertained the prospect of an early exit. 

"It was maybe a few slow news weeks," he quipped.

"I never sort of looked at leaving. 

"The club's shown big faith in me through my injuries and adversity, especially Benji and the high-performance staff here.

"To repay them and show the love for the club and show my appreciation for them sticking by me in the tough times, I've always wanted to stay and didn't want to go anywhere else."