He made basically no difference to our results at all. I'm skeptical the organizing halfback is the solution to our problems. I think it's just a way to have a go at Brooks who is an average running half.
I’m not skeptical. Brooks cops it here because of his pay packet, he wears the 7 but more importantly because he just doesn’t know how to win. There is clear effort in his game play but just like Hastings who is all effort - effort can only do so much. Sometimes those players are a fish out of water, which Brooks really is wearing the 7 jersey.
Now if we compare Brooks to others in the side sure arguments for other positions can be mentioned but at 5/8th his win rate is only 38% compared to halfback at 28% which just isn’t going to get you into finals over 10yr or so span.
We clearly lack organization in the backs & the top teams do have this skill but also have speed in the halves. Api given time will get the forwards going.
Cleary, Hughes, Walker, Townsend, Moses, DCE have speed but often are barking orders 1st. They also have a hooker that controls the forward motions. Reynolds is the exception speed wise but he attacks often & his effectiveness is brilliant.
Brooks isn’t a barker, never has been. I don’t know if a barker works or not for him. Hastings is a barker & wasn’t effective with him, but Hastings is very limited - effort only gets you so far in the NRL these days. I just don’t see how he can remain here with his record even if we put him on one side of the park like other 5/8ths. Even then the good 5/8ths organise, rove and drive plays unless they are freaks skill wise.
I do think Brooks cops it alot over plenty of others in the side that should cop it just as much if not more but reality is he is in a very crucial position that isn’t delivering what that position actually needs to do. Great example of this was when he ran 35mtrs cross field and threw his hands up. AD , Papa and others just stood flat footed they had no idea what he was doing Brooks had eyes up but didn’t call anyone until he got close to the sideline and forced a pass. His communication skills do lack, always has, he is a good eyes up player & his speed is not a concern but he isn’t a 7.
I always thought he would make a very good interchangeable impact hooker. Just a pickup and run style. He would create havoc in the middle with tired forwards in todays game.