Luke Brooks #167

[earl]

Whaaa? Losing Tedesco was arguably the most condemning moment for the WT that I can think of …and we have had a lot of bad moments.

We didn't go backwards and we lost one of the best players in the world. I am pretty confident we can lose any other player and it's not a huge issue.

I don't think it was a condemning moment at all. That was his character. Great player but from my perspective not a great guy.

 

[851]

I hope you’re right !!🙏🙏🙏

Well all this Brooks contract talk has taken the focus off our poor on field results, and the fact we are outright last, that’s a small win

 

[TurnStyle]

I think an offer like that is a very thinly veiled message from the club. Personally, I'd prefer they didn't even make it and just said they wouldn't re- sign him, but there is obviously a dichotomy in the club and Sheens' public support forced their hand.

For years I've said he needs to go, so I'm not upset and wish him the best.

I think the criticism from me has been warranted, while I think this has been his best patch in forever, so I acknowledge that too.

But a few games doesn't make up for years of inadequacy for the team's needs and massive chunk of the cap he's taken up.

I never doubted his commitment. I just don't think he has the talent or ability the tigers have needed.

No hard feelings, good luck to him.

 

[jadtiger]

Will that be Tim ? And is he the right person ?

I have no insight as to who it will be but i think it will just be a convenient sacrifice judging on the vast majority of previous decisions.I don't believe all of our coaches who have been sacked deserved it,certainly Taylor Lamb and to a lesser extent Tim did and Potter didn't.Every coach we have ever had has been hamstrung by a useless board and in most cases by little money because of poor decisions by the board and admin

 

[clokan]

From WWOS
Luke rang Benji himself and communicated to him that the offer made by the club wasn't acceptable," chairman Lee Hagipantelis told the Sydney Morning Herald.

In the article is says essentially, SMH believes "the Tigers board approved a three-year extension offer to be tabled to Brooks". So does that mean the Tigers offered Brooks a 3 year deal for a little over $1M, if so that's disgraceful, they shouldn't have put such a low offer forward at all, this will be awesome for team morale. Also talk of Sheen's now going, this club really is run by some dumb sons of ...... Why can't we ever do anything competently?

 

[The_Patriot]

Brooks rejection of the offer should be seen for what it is, an absolute gift.

Only sensible way to look at it.

 

[supercoach]

There is obviously something brewing behind the scenes. It would appear the club has made an offer to Brooks with the expectation he would knock it back and walk. You have to wonder why they would go to the trouble of making an offer. Call me cynical but maybe they have said to Brooks you’re not in our plans for 2024 but for the media and everyone else we will say we made you an offer and you knocked us back. That way Brooks doesn’t look like damaged goods and the club is not under the spotlight for ditching a long term player.

All seems a bit fishy but it is a good result for player and club

 

[gregjm87]

There is obviously something brewing behind the scenes. It would appear the club has made an offer to Brooks with the expectation he would knock it back and walk. You have to wonder why they would go to the trouble of making an offer. Call me cynical but maybe they have said to Brooks you’re not in our plans for 2024 but for the media and everyone else we will say we made you an offer and you knocked us back. That way Brooks doesn’t look like damaged goods and the club is not under the spotlight for ditching a long term player.

All seems a bit fishy but it is a good result for player and club

Not sure the expectations was he'd knock it back. I posted a few weeks ago that the club low balled him due to the belief there were few other suitors, not due to not wanting to retain him.
I haven't heard an update from the guy I was speaking to about it, (maybe Brooks has in fact said he is leaving) but I'd guess all that has happened thus far is Brooks rejected the first offer. And whilst I was told negotiations have stalled, I was given the impression they remained ongoing.

 

[Pascoes_barber]

Totally. Can’t write this crap.
Two good games and everyone has forgotten the ten years of garbage.

And newsflash: we are still last on the ladder.

Brooks rejection of the offer should be seen for what it is, an absolute gift.

Correct. Best thing he's ever done.

 

[supercoach]

Not sure the expectations was he'd knock it back. I posted a few weeks ago that the club low balled him due to the belief there were few other suitors, not due to not wanting to retain him.
I haven't heard an update from the guy I was speaking to about it, (maybe Brooks has in fact said he is leaving) but I'd guess all that has happened thus far is Brooks rejected the first offer. And whilst I was told negotiations have stalled, I was given the impression they remained ongoing.

You’re possibly right,I have no info. I just think by reading between the lines that the club wants two new halves in 24 and the Brooks offer seems a bit strange. Although highly likely I am barking up the wrong tree

 

[Tiger-ferret]

95% of experts on this forum demanded we do everything possible to kick Brooks out, as the sooner, the better! Now it is: "the club is hopeless", "the world is falling"?? 🤔
I agree that it would be very difficult with our ex-coach, but with Sheens/Marshall/Farah, if there is any chance, they will find the solution! Like Prince, Louis, and Martin.
And this time, they already solved a number of hard puzzles e.g. 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 13 etc.🙂🐅💪

Your post resonates with me. There is a huge push to “Get rid of brooks no matter what” My opinion has always been he was better than nothing at the right price because there is little on the market…the sky is falling because there’s “suddenly” no one to replace him with…like what was going to happen when he leaves?

I hold out hope that there is a “plan”…

 

[bptiger 0]

Wait to u see the holes open up with brooks out , he has been great in defence, I hope people at least give him credit for that

 

[Demps]

Brooks has been alright because;

1) It's contract season &
2) Api is the one directing the team around, taking a lot of pressure off Brooks.

Even if 500k a year is insulting, his performances over the years for the reported salary (800k - 1m) are much more insulting.

Very interested to see how this plays out.
We paid Mbye 900k a season - hopefully we've learnt from these things & the club holds strong and makes the right call.

 

[TurnStyle]

Wait to u see the holes open up with brooks out , he has been great in defence, I hope people at least give him credit for that

I think he has become a good defender. Fair dues, but just because he's out doesn't necessarily mean he'll be replaced by a turnstile.

In any case, while all players need to be able to defend, a half back is vitally important to the attack and that's his biggest deficiency. The club has no organising half back, has needed one forever, and he has shown in over 200 games he ain't one.

 

[Pascoes_barber]

Wait to u see the holes open up with brooks out , he has been great in defence, I hope people at least give him credit for that

He's good defensively for sure.

Meanwhile we're almost absurdly ahead stats wise as far as possession in the opposition 20 but still can't score points. Good riddance.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

clune will be perfect at 7 in 2024...

 

[TieDye]

clune will be perfect at 7 in 2024...

At least he can’t play for us 11 years… be too old

 

[innsaneink]

I think an offer like that is a very thinly veiled message from the club. Personally, I'd prefer they didn't even make it and just said they wouldn't re- sign him, but there is obviously a dichotomy in the club and Sheens' public support forced their hand.

For years I've said he needs to go, so I'm not upset and wish him the best.

I think the criticism from me has been warranted, while I think this has been his best patch in forever, so I acknowledge that too.

But a few games doesn't make up for years of inadequacy for the team's needs and massive chunk of the cap he's taken up.

I never doubted his commitment. I just don't think he has the talent or ability the tigers have needed.

No hard feelings, good luck to him.

Well said

 

[Muffstar]

clune will be perfect at 7 in 2024...

Not sure if you are serious or not but Newcastle supporters aren't big fans of him.

 

[Tim Sheens]

From WWOS
Luke rang Benji himself and communicated to him that the offer made by the club wasn't acceptable," chairman Lee Hagipantelis told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Finally a quote, as I only found out about this when reading this thread just now, and had been wondering what all the fuss was about based on the initial article posted.

Is there actually any reason to truly believe that Brooks has said he is leaving the club, or just that he has knocked back our initial offer, as I haven't seen it?