Rookie of the Year

[TheFrog]

Brooks will probably get it, but Cartwright might have come close had he not been injured.

 

[billypilgrimnz]

Brooks is decent, obviously, but way overrated. The media are desperate for a star to salivate over (see also Milford, A.), and they start the hype too early for so many players. I don't watch Souths unless they play the Panthers, so know f**k all about Johnstone. Is there a third option?

 

[Vic Mackey]

Jumping on the Johnston train.

People mention that Brooks is having a hard time in a struggling team, i'll give him that. But if he stepped up (Like Adam Reynolds in 2012) he might be leading them into the top 8. If Reynolds faltered throughout 2012 we probably wouldn't be in the position we are today.

Johnston is an 19 year old who's really stepping up and showing a game that most wingers in the competition can't play. And the thing is he's a fullback, one of the first times he's played on the wing.

No doubt i think both will be great so long as they continue to rise, but Brooks i feel has underachieved this year, Johnston has come out of nowhere and is killing it.

Reynolds came into a team that had inglis, luke, asotasi, burgess, sutton, taylor etc all as internationals or top quality players

Brooks had braith anasta as a halves partner and half a team that is under 21 who came 15th last year

They aren't remotely comparable

 

[Swarzey]

You cannot compare Reynolds' rookie year with Brooks. He had the best pack of the game in front of him, a first class fullback who was there for the most part and a halves partner who was competent. Brooks hasn't had that luxury, yet has carried the weight and responsibility while maintaining the maturity of a first class halfback. While he hasn't performed consistently at the standard the media and plenty expected him to, he's done enough in my books to deserve the nod as Rookie of the Year. If he somehow leads the Tigers into the finals, then there shouldn't even be a debate.

Johnston is quality and deserving of the wraps he gets, but I just can't look past Brooks.

 

[Vic Mackey]

No doubt i think both will be great so long as they continue to rise, but Brooks i feel has underachieved this year, Johnston has come out of nowhere and is killing it.

You are showing how little you know about rugby league

Johnstone has come into a team who has been 1 game from the grand final the last 2 years with fcking Merritt and Goodwin/everingham on the wing. You don't need to be good to stand out on te wing of a successful teams structure that has superstars inside him. If David nofoaluma played wing for souths he would have played origin this year.

As said to me johnstone is the real deal. I think he and walker are what's made souths a genuine premiership contender this year. However to say he is some undoubted superstar and brooks has under achieved is ridiculous.

David Williams looked like an origin player for 10 years in his first year on the wing outside a star team. Go easy.

 

[ellskimore]

Luke Brooks' task has been far more difficult than Johnston's. In fact he has been handed an incredibly tough task for any player let alone someone in their very first year. He has succeeded. Don't let a ridiculous benchmark set by the media dictate his value this year. He has showed class well beyond his years. He really does deserve to be named rookie of the year.

 

[Slug]

Brooks will get rookie of the year only because he has played more games. 18-11. That is the only reason. He has been average and Johnston outstanding.

 

[rabbitohs95]

Brooks will get rookie of the year only because he has played more games. 18-11. That is the only reason. He has been average and Johnston outstanding.

All that needs to be said.

Shouldn't matter who they have in their teams, if they perform they should deserve the rookie of the year gong.

 

[Vic Mackey]

All that needs to be said.

Shouldn't matter who they have in their teams, if they perform they should deserve the rookie of the year gong.

Off your logic josh starling is a better prop then Matt Scott

 

[Big Sam]

Brooks will get rookie of the year only because he has played more games. 18-11. That is the only reason. He has been average and Johnston outstanding.

Sandow played 12 games and got rookie of the year.

 

[lockyno1]

As good as Johnson has been...he is a winger? He has only played 2/3rds of the year. Not for me. Brooks, and easily.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Can't go passed Brooks IMO. On the surface it hasn't been a stellar year for rookies, and aside from this late Johnstone charge Brooks almost looked to have it locked up by default.

Having said that I think there's quite a few rookies who haven't had extended game time or stood out for various reasons who will go on to star in coming years. Not a good year for stand outs, but some serious talent has been blooded this season IMO.

 

[pHyR3]

Brooks will get rookie of the year only because he has played more games. 18-11. That is the only reason. He has been average and Johnston outstanding.

Theyve both been very good, many of johnston's tries have been strolling over the wing. Others have been amazing tries, but so have many of luke brook's plays. And he has the far harder job of directing the entire team around and setting up attacking plays.

 

[hineyrulz]

The rookie of the year should be that guy from my team.

 

[BranVan3000]

I find Brooks too sporadic. He is definitely a lazy defender and you'll find a lot of those bad losses Tigers have are when he is slipping in and out of games. He has had a few blinders though.

 

[soc123_au]

Thread needs more Issiah Yeo. Not as flashy as others mentioned, but is playing well above his experience level as a mr fix it.

 

[POPEYE]

Mary McGregor is in with a chance

 

[richie8u]

Does Moylan count as a rookie?

 

[Slug]

Does Moylan count as a rookie?

Nope. He played 13 games last year. Maximum 3 games prior to rookie year to be eligible.

 

[Leaguelegend20]

Brooks undoubtedly deserves the award. He has been the best rookie this year by a mile. Even if he wasn't, the media wankfast over him would be enough to see him through.