Luke Brooks

[WA Tiger]

Problem is we have a readymade & gun 5/8 who is playing fullback.We need a speedy fullback & a halfback.

If we had another fullback option we’d b best served with AD & Benji as 6 & 7 for the rest of this season.Id b super confident of finally qualifying for the 8.

Your right there are options if Madge can identify how much of a problem Brookes really is and the need to fix it.....Better losing a couple of games experimenting than losing 5 x that without ...Like a cruise ship that cant stop suddenly until it’s too late.
Laurie mains a very astute all black coach leading up to the 95 World Cup initially lost a lot of admirers coz he kept changing the team. But with a purpose. He ended up with the perfect team with Lomu on the wing, Christian Cullen at fullback and Frank Bunce a 30 year old discard at centre..they would have won too if the South Africans hadn’t slipped poison into their breakfast on the morning of the game causing 1/2 the team to be throwing up and playing.Mertons the 5/8 missed a drop goal he’d normally nail and South Africa didn’t miss their attempt to win the final

 

[tiger102]

I don't know if Billy is the answer but it might be time to at least pose the question to him. We know Brooks is not.

Move Brooks to 5/8 and Jock Madden to half, and see how they go if not sign Cade Cust for next year.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Move Brooks to 5/8 and Jock Madden to half, and see how they go if not sign Cade Cust for next year.

madden looks a decent fit for brooks, good kicking game and more of an organizer then an out and out play maker

shame he won’t get any game time this year

 

[Vic Mackey]

Move Brooks to 5/8 and Jock Madden to half, and see how they go if not sign Cade Cust for next year.

I remember watching Cust in nsw cup 2 years ago and thinking he was going to be a real good half. Des doesn’t seem to rate him but he’s weird with halves. Would be more then happy to bring him over next year

 

[Tiger Ted]

Yep, I've probably been one of his most ardent apologists up until now but I think it's time to pull the plug.
It's always been clear that he lacks the chutzpah to play the role of chief orchestrator but it's now becoming
apparent that he lacks the skillset and nous.
A sad sliding doors moment is what he could've become had we been able to coerce Cleary Jnr. over to Concord; he would've complimented Brooks perfectly. Instead we have Benji and Grub who are essentially cut from the same cloth.

He lacks chutzpah.Totally agree MM.Unfortunately for us & it was glaring when him & his holy cross buddy Moses were dominating in Balmain junior rep cup teams that Moses was the one who possessed the innate chutzpah essential for a half to succesfully take ownership of a team in the NRL.

Like him or not as many tigers fans don’t & me being one of them but it’s something Moses inherited from his uncle who was one heck of a footballer albeit a prick of a person.In contrast Brooks is a nice guy who is introverted which doesn’t augur well for a general of an NRL team.

 

[Tiger Ted]

Why not move Brooks to full back?

Think about it. He has great speed, good defence, and puts in the effort.

The only problem...he is NOT an organising half, provides NO direction, CAN’T earn repeat sets, CAN’T get us out of trouble.

AD is a quality player but he’s too slow for a full back and I’m sure he will get caught every time he gets into an open field. His covering defence isn’t great either. He was no where near Gagai for his 3 tries down our left.

Brooks at full back will give him more space to run, which he is actually good at. It will take the game management responsibility away from him and let him focus on his running game. Most importantly, I doubt many can catch him in open spaces.

That will give us more attacking options with Benji at 7, Reynolds at 6, Grant at 9 and Brooks at 1.

I’d probably move AD to the centre (tall, safe, can contest high balls) and throw Mbye onto the bench as an utility because, quite sadly, that’s all he is good for...

Definitely worth a try but problem is Maguire might b to regimented & stubborn to make these changes.

 

[stryker]

I mean if we had Andrew Johns we'd be better but I don't know how much better we would be.

This is why I am amused by the Brooks fan club.
Do you really think what you said is true?
We had ample field position to win last night, especially with the way Reynolds was kicking for them. We just continually went the wrong way, kicked when we should have passed, ran when we should have kicked, turned it back inside when spreading it wide would have created opportunity.
Johns would have made an enormous difference - think all those years we missed the finals by one or two wins. A good halfback gets us into the 8 everyone of those seasons.

 

[Wizardman]

He lacks chutzpah.Totally agree MM.Unfortunately for us & it was glaring when him & his holy cross buddy Moses were dominating in Balmain junior rep cup teams that Moses was the one who possessed the innate chutzpah essential for a half to succesfully take ownership of a team in the NRL.

Like him or not as many tigers fans don’t & me being one of them but it’s something Moses inherited from his uncle who was one heck of a footballer albeit a prick of a person.In contrast Brooks is a nice guy who is introverted which doesn’t augur well for a general of an NRL team.

The best halfbacks I have played with and coached have one common denominator....they have an inner competitive prick in them. The nicer blokes who played there did tend to not be very good. The majority of good first grade halfbacks also have an inner prick in them. Cooper Cronk is a notable exception to that rule.....but he was never the most creative half around....very programmed.

 

[Tiger05]

This is why I am amused by the Brooks fan club.
Do you really think what you said is true?
We had ample field position to win last night, especially with the way Reynolds was kicking for them. We just continually went the wrong way, kicked when we should have passed, ran when we should have kicked, turned it back inside when spreading it wide would have created opportunity.
Johns would have made an enormous difference - think all those years we missed the finals by one or two wins. A good halfback gets us into the 8 everyone of those seasons.

I agree with you to a point. The thing is Johns won 2 grand finals. He was the best player I've seen. Your argument about a good halfback getting us over the line is probably true but the point being that a good 6 would have got us there or a good fullback.

I mean we had horse face and he appears to be the best player in the game. He didn't get us to the finals. He has done pretty well since leaving us.

I'm completely fine with replacing any player in this team. All I care about is winning games. We just need a better team. If we can get rid of Brooks and get a better player than him in that role who costs the same or less we should do it.

I suppose what amuses me about guys who state he isn't an organizer is that it doesn't hold up to any sort of logical thought. Steve Mortimer wasn't an organizer whereas Wally Lewis was. Mortimer was a great 7 and Lewis was the best 6 I've seen. Mortimer won 4 grand finals. I don't think Lewis won one.

We don't need Brooks to be the best organizing halfback of all time. We need consistent quality performances from him. He was crud against Souths and that performance was unacceptable but he wasn't on his lonesome.

I saw the teams last week and knew we were on a hiding. We don't have the class to match a team like Souths unless we have a full team playing tough footy and the team is playing to the best of their ability.

So to answer your question I think my comment was completely correct. I get your point but there is a lot more to it. It's easy to state it's Brooks fault or Brooks just isn't an organizing halfback but we have more problems than just that.

Our problem is our roster and Brooks is definitely part of that. He doesn't look like a top player. He looks like an average first grader. We need better but we need better in other positions as well.

Look at our spine. Brooks is probably the best of the lot. Grant has been unreal but he went missing against Souths and he has had some poor moments. Benji and Reynolds have had their good moments but they've had a lot of bad moments. AD is great but he is like the Brooks of the fullbacks. He is pretty decent in our team but he isn't making a top team. AD appears to lack outright pace and class to be a top quality fullback.

 

[Perth Tiger]

Why not move Brooks to full back?

Think about it. He has great speed, good defence, and puts in the effort.

The only problem...he is NOT an organising half, provides NO direction, CAN’T earn repeat sets, CAN’T get us out of trouble.

AD is a quality player but he’s too slow for a full back and I’m sure he will get caught every time he gets into an open field. His covering defence isn’t great either. He was no where near Gagai for his 3 tries down our left.

Brooks at full back will give him more space to run, which he is actually good at. It will take the game management responsibility away from him and let him focus on his running game. Most importantly, I doubt many can catch him in open spaces.

That will give us more attacking options with Benji at 7, Reynolds at 6, Grant at 9 and Brooks at 1.

I’d probably move AD to the centre (tall, safe, can contest high balls) and throw Mbye onto the bench as an utility because, quite sadly, that’s all he is good for...

Fullback needs to be one of the most vocal people on the field and it seems like Brooks barely says anything out there

 

[Tiger05]

I'll say another thing about Brooks. I don't think he is that good. He might come on or he might turn it all around but he isn't going to get too many more chances. I reckon Madge picks on form. If he can drop Benji he can drop Brooks.

We really need to be bringing in better players and if that better player is a halfback great.

The problem is we have 3 halves. One is massively overpaid, pretty ordinary and won't be re-signed. The other guy is great value but he is inconsistent. Brooks is inconsistent and doesn't appear to be the guy we can build around. AD may go well at 6 but he is a runner of the footy and we appear to need someone to organize us out there.

I also think we've bought well recently. Our pack is building nicely. We need to develop or pick up players for our spine and outside backs. If anything our spine needs improving more than the outside backs.

 

[League WTF]

Fullback needs to be one of the most vocal people on the field and it seems like Brooks barely says anything out there

I do agree and that’s why it’s so frustrating to see him at 7, which is supposed to be the most vocal of all. At least at fullback, we can use his speed. And we desperately need speed.

Brooks does put in but he just doesn’t have it in him to be a 7. Instead of dumping him, I just thought it’s worth a shot to try him at fullback and let him play what’s in front of him. Support play up the middle etc (like Dylan Edwards)...points we won’t get with AD.

We actually looked dangerous when all 4 of them were on the field together. Benji, Reynolds, Brooks and Grant.

 

[Tigerm]

The war drums are beating.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/new...starting-for-tigers/ar-BB16B1Cr?ocid=msedgntp

Luke Brooks slammed as Andrew Johns declares Benji Marshall 'must be' starting for Tigers

Rugby league immortal Andrew Johns has declared Benji Marshall must be in the Tigers starting side after the veteran playmaker made an immediate impact from the bench in his side's 18-10 loss to the Rabbitohs on Friday.

Johns' comments come as a number of disgruntled Tigers fans took aim at star halfback Luke Brooks, with some calling for him to be axed next week.

Marshall's short but classy stint came after a month in exile from the starting side, after Michael Maguire axed the Kiwi international back in round four despite him at the time sitting second in the Dally M count.

Maguire has run with Josh Reynolds as his starting five-eighth alongside Brooks for the past four weeks but rushed Marshall in on Thursday as a reward for his effort and determination at training.

While Marshall's axing came as a result of some poor defensive lapses, the 35-year-old reminded Maguire of his mastery with the Steeden, instantly igniting a Tigers attack that had struggled to trouble South Sydney all night.

The Tigers looked immediately more threatening with Marshall at their disposal, with Maguire's men scoring two quickfire tries but ultimately leaving it too late to claim a miraculous victory.

According to Johns, Marshall proved by inspiring the swing in momentum in just 25 minutes on the field he needed to be in the Tigers starting 13 in round 10 against Brisbane.

"Benji has to be there next week," Johns strongly suggested on Channel Nine's post-match coverage.

"He has to be in the six jersey.

"He had some beautiful touches didn't he, late in that game?"

After the game Maguire admitted the sting in attack the Tigers showed with Marshall on the field was something they'd lacked in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Johns' calls for Marshall to be reinstated in Maguire's starting team come after fellow half Brooks was hounded for his efforts in the loss to the Rabbitohs that saw the Tigers drop out of the top eight.

Missing six tackles, Brooks' defence alongside Moses Mbye on the left side was largely blamed for the loss, after the Rabbitohs scored three unanswered tries down their right.

While in attack the polarising number seven again failed to lay on any four-pointers for his side, something he's struggled with all year with just one try assist to his name this campaign.

Dragons premiership-winning legend Jamie Soward declared on Twitter Brooks should be axed with Reynolds and Marshall starting in the halves next week., with the #tigers spine should be.
#1. Douhi #6. Reynolds #7. Marshall #9. Grant

While a number of other Tigers fans appeared fed up with the fact Brooks' form this season has gone unnoticed.

It would be another huge statement from Maguire to axe Brooks, who was last year's Dally M Halfback of the Year.

Brooks can rest easy however, with Reynolds now facing two weeks on the sidelines with an early guilty plea for a high shot on Latrell Mitchell.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Given that Reynolds has copped a suspension (while LM the protected species just cops a fine) I think we will see Brooks and Benji in the halves

 

[Tigers Tale]

I don't know, I don't think Benji was the immediate effect they are talking about, it was more we had a few good calls from the ref that got us on a partial roll, Benji didn't get me on the edge of my chair once last night. Big call from Johns but he is known for that....

 

[Tigers Tale]

I don't think Brooks should rest easy, if the drums are beating from the fans, Madge would be thinking the same. Make or break for Brooks between now and the end of the season.

 

[WA Tiger]

Between now and the end of the season is a long way away but yes I get your point.
I’m getting sick of criticising Brookes just get rid of the cant ..Put Benji or Walters or Reynolds or whoever there and move on ... I really hope that this article isn’t what wakes Madge up to this reality and that he knew before..At least the word is out now.

And with Benji I’m starting to think we all see the game through a different lens depending on our favourite and least favourite player or our favourite positions or the things we admire in a player and look for which is different for all of us etc etc etc..so there’s no point in arguing about it

Iether way it all seems a bloody shambles doesnt it...How hard can it be to fix..Just be thankful guys that Benji will be there for Parra..It gives us half a chance and Broncos too of course..

Told u Joey had to get it right eventually in the position he should know. He’s always loved Benji. He’s the only 6 that Joeys been truly in awe of for a long time (I been listening to his Benji comments for years)

 

[Old Time Tiger]

Given that Reynolds has copped a suspension (while LM the protected species just cops a fine) I think we will see Brooks and Benji in the halves

Jim, he actually got two weeks and a fine, cannot understand why it isn’t grading + grading = x weeks.

 

[Pezz70]

Between now and the end of the season is a long way away but yes I get your point.
I’m getting sick of criticising Brookes just get rid of the cant ..Put Benji or Walters or Reynolds or whoever there and move on ... I really hope that this article isn’t what wakes Madge up to this reality and that he knew before..At least the word is out now.

And with Benji I’m starting to think we all see the game through a different lens depending on our favourite and least favourite player or our favourite positions or the things we admire in a player and look for which is different for all of us etc etc etc..so there’s no point in arguing about it

Iether way it all seems a bloody shambles doesnt it...How hard can it be to fix..Just be thankful guys that Benji will be there for Parra..It gives us half a chance and Bronkos too of course..

Told u Joey had to get it right eventually in the position he should know. He’s always loved Benji. He’s the only 6 that Joeys been truly in awe of for a long time (I been listening to his Benji comments for years)

We don’t have anyone better that’s the problem

 

[Fordy20]

We don’t have anyone better that’s the problem

100%. All this talk of swapping Benji, Reynolds and Walters around is just shuffling deck chairs around on the Titanic. Neither Benji or Reynolds is a long term option and if Walters was good enough, he would have been able to break into that Storm side. All of Ivan's stupid signings all expire at the end of 2022 and Brooks is one of three Tigers signed beyond that, so he's in our long term plans whether people like it or not.

We had a hard enough time trying to get a fullback, trying to get a new halfback for next hardly seems likely, especially given our cap situation. Besides, there is no one better on the market worth going after. Better off just sticking to the succession plan of giving Brooks another year at halfback with Reynolds and Madden a full season of playing 80 each week leading the Canterbury Cup side around and then make a decision on who leads the team around for the 2022 season.