Luke Brooks #167

Lauren said:

‘It’s everywhere’: Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks opens up on brutal criticism and what he ‘hated’ about ‘next Joey’ talk​

Darcie McDonald from Fox Sports@darciemcdonald
January 25th, 2023 6:54 am

No current NRL player is criticised more than Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks.
The 28-year-old has borne the brunt of the club’s failures over the last decade and as a result has seemingly developed a very thick skin, conceding: “I’m sort of used to it now.”
But his halves partner Adam Doueihi can see through the tough front and revealed it “does have an effect on him.”

Brooks has 189 NRL games to his name and a Dally M Halfback of the Year trophy to boot. But he also carries the unwanted record of most games played without a finals appearance — a stat he is often reminded of.

Criticism has consistently been thrown in his direction over the last few years, but it reached boiling point in the opening months of last season.

He was targeted after the Tigers lost their first five games of the year — their worst start in club history. The barrage of criticism forced chairman Lee Hagipantelis to jump to his defence, calling it “excessive” as well as “unwarranted and unhealthy.”

Brooks also fired back at his critics at the time with: “A lot of people have never done anything in the game, so I couldn’t care less what they say about me.”

And he backed it up the very next game, setting up two tries in the Tigers’ first win of the season — a one-point upset over eventual grand finalists, the Eels.

Hastings took the opportunity to put an arm around his teammate, urging the media and fans to “get off his back for a week,” before declaring “what a performance,” in a post-game interview.

“I guess it’s a part of it,” he shrugged

“When you’re going good you get all the raps so it goes hand-in-hand.

“I’m sort of used to it now, but as long as my teammates and the staff are happy with me then that’s all that matters.

“I try to stay away from it (the negativity)... Sometimes it can be hard though because it’s everywhere and people ask you about it but as much as I can, I try not to read into it.

“I learnt that a long time ago.”

However Doueihi has a tougher time with it because he believes the targeted criticism actually does take its toll on Brooks.

“Obviously it hurts seeing him (cop criticism) because I see the work that he does in the pre-season and during the season,” he told foxsports.com.au.

“It does have an effect on him — I can see that.

“He’s had a really good pre-season this year, it’s been more enjoyable for myself and him. We have a clear picture of how we want to play, there’s a style of footy this year that suits both our games and we’ve enjoyed that.

“Hopefully we can start the season good and have some positive media reports about him and about the club for a change.

“Winning stops all negative media reports so the more we can win the better it is for everyone.”

Brooks has always had the attention of media. In fact, there were already stories being written about him before he had made his NRL debut — that’s how highly-regarded he was as a kid.

He was a Tigers junior that played Australian Schoolboys and took the club’s SG Ball team to a premiership.

He was also dubbed the next Andrew Johns.

Brooks got his debut as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2013 and lived up to expectations, scoring a try and setting up two more to earn man of the match honours.

But all that hype and attention was exactly what he didn’t want.

“When I came in (to first grade), I hadn’t even played a game and I was getting raps — I hated that,” Brooks said.

“I just didn’t know how to take it, I would rather just be quiet and out of the media. But I guess whether it’s good or bad I just try not to read it.

“Even when my when dad would watch an NRL show and my name popped up, I’d just go awkward. I hated being at home when he was watching the NRL shows.

“Just from a young age I’ve felt uncomfortable with it.”

Unfortunately for Brooks he’s set for another season in the headlines whether the Tigers go well or not because he’s coming off contract.

His contract situation somewhat slipped under the radar over the off-season — a relief for him given this time last year it was reported every day that he had signed with the Knights.

“To be honest I haven’t really thought about it too much,” Brooks said when asked about his next contract.

“It’s kind of been good, the past few years there’s always been stuff about me going or staying so it’s been good to have a pre-season where there hasn’t been any chat.

“I’ve been able to focus on footy and that’s all I can do. When that comes up it’ll come up but at the moment I’m just focused on playing footy.”

Brooks confirmed that “there’s been talks” with the club about a potential new deal but he is in no rush, adding: “we’ll worry about it when it comes.”

Should the Tigers re-sign Brooks, it’s expected it’ll be on less than the reported $1.1 million he stands to earn this season.

But he can prove his worth by steering the club to their first finals appearance since 2011 — and can use the help of the several big-name recruits, including three-time premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau to do that.

“You can already tell the difference he makes,” Brooks said of Koroisau.

“What he does around the ruck helps me so much, it’ll take a lot of pressure off me because other teams’ defence will be focused on him and what he’s doing around the ruck.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with ‘Ice’ (Isaiah Papali’i), I think he’s someone that will suit my game,” he added.

“He’s a good hole-running back-rower, but also in defence he’s a good quality player and you can really see that when we’re out on the field training.”
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Brooks also fired back at his critics at the time with: “A lot of people have never done anything in the game, so I couldn’t care less what they say about me.”

The irony
 
The way I see it..

Brooks makes more tackles a game than any other half.

Why?

His outside defender being a lazy bludge and not making first contact in the tackle.

This will change with Papali / Bateman depending on what side he plays on.
 
Earl said:
Maybe but Brooks to me was miles better last season. I don't see it as clear cut that AD is better than Brooks in that running 6/back-up half role.

I'd love them both to kill it next season.
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Don’t forget though Doueihi missed the first half of the season bouncing back from his ACL injury. Brooks may have been better but Doeuihi couldn’t play for more than half the season. In 2021 both played from Round 1 up until AD’s injury and AD finished 4th in the competition for most points with 172. Doueihi actually got the most points for us in 22 with 52 even after missing half the season. While he didn’t play his best he still managed to give us something despite missing half the season. Brooks though did manage to get some things right I’ll give him that. But being the halfback his job is more crucial.
 
Earl said:
He is overpaid right now though. Way too many articles plus Sheens comments about his salary makes you think we made a bad contract with Brooks at some point. Same with Nofo. I don't think these contracts are in the same league though as contracts like Mbye. Josh Reynolds and even Packer. To me it's not a big issue because this is his final contract year and he has always put in. I suppose his contract needs to put into perspective.

I think one of his goals should be to become a better footy player. Stuff the results. He should just focus on making the right decisions at the right time and improving various areas of his game.

I think the same about Doueihi.

Every player should be looking to become better players and working on their game.

I hope the coaching staff are looking to develop a team that can win the comp.
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Sensible post
 
Tim Sheens said:
Debate on form is one thing, but Brooks not being respected by his peers and teams targeting him as a weak link is up with the most ridiculous claims I have seen on here.
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Not every player that played alongside Brooks would have respected him. You don’t get along with everyone you meet same applies at pro footy. Maybe they won’t target him but they definitely think he’s a weak link.
 
Glenji95 said:
Not every player that played alongside Brooks would have respected him. You don’t get along with everyone you meet same applies at pro footy. Maybe they won’t target him but they definitely think he’s a weak link.
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There is always an odd one out.

The opposition certainly do target Brooks, but for the exact opposite of being the weak link. They do though to take his options and time away, and with the ball to tire him out, which is why he is central in any opposition coach's game plan.

I am happy for another to be their target.
 
Tim Sheens said:
There is always an odd one out.

The opposition certainly do target Brooks, but for the exact opposite of being the weak link. They do though to take his options and time away, and with the ball to tire him out, which is why he is central in any opposition coach's game plan.
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Absolutely.
 
Tim Sheens said:
There is always an odd one out.

The opposition certainly do target Brooks, but for the exact opposite of being the weak link. They do though to take his options and time away, and with the ball to tire him out, which is why he is central in any opposition coach's game plan.
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Brooks game plan is kicking it out on the full and kicking the ball dead in goal. That’s not what a so called 7 should be doing. If Brooks doesn’t step up he needs to be gone after this year. Or if he gets lucky he moves to 6 and we bring in an actual 7.
 
Glenji95 said:
Sheens has made good choices but he’s also made a lot of bad ones. Every coach has at some point but Sheens has made some dumb ones.
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There is no doubt you are 100% right, however some of Sheen's fan brigade can see nothing wrong with Sheens despite us making the semis in 3 years in 10 while he was coach.
 
jadtiger said:
There is no doubt you are 100% right, however some of Sheen's fan brigade can see nothing wrong with Sheens despite us making the semis in 3 years in 10 while he was coach.
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I don’t get it either. I hope his second stint is a successful one, but while he won us a premiership and got us finals bound, only making it 3 out of 10 is not good coaching.
 
jadtiger said:
There is no doubt you are 100% right, however some of Sheen's fan brigade can see nothing wrong with Sheens despite us making the semis in 3 years in 10 while he was coach.
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HMAS WTs had turned turtle under Maguire and his apostles (of which you were one) were offering the view all was good.
 
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