Wests Tigers have started preliminary discussions to extend the contract of Luke Brooks - a move which could keep the halfback at Concord for the rest of his playing career.
The Daily Telegraph was told Newcastle was zeroing in on Brooks again but the speculation was quickly denied by Wests Tigers management.
One source close to Newcastle felt Brooks was a “99 per cent” chance of being at the Knights next season.
Wests Tigers officials scuppered the speculation before claiming the club had spoken to Brooks’ manager, Isaac Moses, about a new deal.
Club recruitment manager Warren McDonnell met with Moses on Monday.
“We are looking at the future and are talking about numerous options and we broached the subject with his management,” McDonnell said.
“But that’s all – broached the subject. He’s not off contract until the end of next year. We are in discussions with numerous players coming off contract after next year and we are only in the early stages of discussions (with Brooks).
“Luke is one of the players whose manager we have spoken to but we haven’t put an offer to him and we won’t in the short-term.”
Brooks has told friends he is keen to work under the
club’s newest coaching staff of Tim Sheens,
Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and David Furner.
Contract extension discussions were brief and no money was lodged.
Brooks was at the club’s Centre of Excellence on Wednesday and has already held meetings about next season with club director of football, Tim Sheens.
Even after being told Wests Tigers wanted to retain Brooks, sources close to Newcastle believed the halfback would be at McDonald Jones Stadium next season.
Player managers claimed Knights officials were holding meetings this week about recruitment for next season.
It seems the Knights will continue to quietly pursue Brooks.
Sheens is a known fan of Brooks, the often-maligned halfback who comes off contract after next season.
It is understood Sheens, the new head coach from 2023, and Benji Marshall, the coach from 2025, will further talks with Brooks early next season.
Brooks’ possible exit to Newcastle has created headlines for two years although the player has never sought a release, despite reports suggesting he had last off-season.
He will be 28 years old when his deal expires at Wests Tigers after next season.
While no contract extension details have been finalised, a new deal could ensure Brooks plays out his career at Concord.
One well-placed source close to Wests Tigers, when asked about Brooks joining Newcastle, said: “In all honesty, not a hope in hell. Sheens is keen on him and wants to keep him. Absolutely not.”
In April, Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis angrily hit out at the on-going criticism of Brooks.
“If it was in an employment environment, it would be tantamount to bullying,” said Hagipantelis, the Principal of Brydens Lawyers.
“The level of focus and attention on Luke I think is unwarranted and unhealthy. We often speak about welfare issues in the game. The level of scrutiny and criticism, I think, has been excessive.”
Meanwhile Wests Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue has claimed the Kelly-Barnes Medal after being voted the club’s 2022 NRL player of the year.
