Benji backs Brooks

[shane2801]

he needs to take risks, throw the long pass, run across the field a bit, attempt 40/20s and keep his head in the game at all times.

I agree. I'd rather see him chqance his arm and get it wrong at times than to go missing.

 

[TCL]

I’m a big fan of the kid. Good football player, still believe had he gone to the storm he would be coated with rep honours by now.

Not sure that anyone and maybe not even the “8th” or Thurston would have shone as bright as they did if they had played under the coaches and in teams we have had in the years that Brooks played first Grade.

 

[The_Patriot]

We have seen the best of Brooks. Just a halfback. Nothing great.

Shane, just a halfback these days is a player in demand. There is a lack of quality in this position generally across the NRL and Brooks is right up there being one of the best. In fact, if he played for the Roosters that elusive NSW jumper may not be so elusive.

I respectfully disagree. The hype about this guy needs to stop. He isn't the worst halfback in the comp but isn't anywhere near as good as people keep saying. For years people have been saying that next year we will see Brooks break out. For years I've been saying he already has. This is him at his best. A halfback that will play the odd good game. I've stopped saying I hope he proves me wrong because he won't.

I’m with you.
**He’s certainly not terrible but I can’t remember the last time he produced something to win us a game at the death like the really good halves**.

Hopefully steps into that role a bit more this season.

 

[watersider]

Sorry if this has already been posted. ESPN rates Brooks as a top 5 halfback: https://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/28838955/espn-ranks-nrl-halfbacks-ahead-2020-season

Looking at that list of halfbacks makes me think halfbacks aren't very good at the moment. DCE is a class above everyone else. I'd pretty much take Reynolds and Cleary (sorry) before Brooks, and no one else. And even they aren't much better than him and you could make good arguments for Brooks against both of them. Just on those rankings, I think they massively underrate Townsend and Green and I don't think Moses deserves to be that high because of defensive issues and inconsistency, but I'm still bitter.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Sorry if this has already been posted. ESPN rates Brooks as a top 5 halfback: https://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/id/28838955/espn-ranks-nrl-halfbacks-ahead-2020-season

Looking at that list of halfbacks makes me think halfbacks aren't very good at the moment. DCE is a class above everyone else. I'd pretty much take Reynolds and Cleary (sorry) before Brooks, and no one else. And even they aren't much better than him and you could make good arguments for Brooks against both of them. Just on those rankings, I think they massively underrate Townsend and Green and I don't think Moses deserves to be that high because of defensive issues and inconsistency, but I'm still bitter.

So interesting, I wouldn't have had him that high but after looking at the list I kind of see why.

On value (If the rumored amount is correct) and on heart I wouldn't switch him for anyone.

 

[Adam Doobie]

It hurts me when I see the Brooks haters out in force. It's as if they haven't watched him play since 2016. I have watched every single game of ours in the last five years. The difference between Brooks then and Brooks from 2018 onward is remarkable.
- He takes the line on more than any half in the competition.
- His defence is as good as any half. His missed tackle count is still high, but I haven't seen a miss from him affect the defensive line in three years. He almost always makes the important one-on-one tackles (see how he hammered Sam Burgess last year).
- His long kicking game has been on-point (average kicking metres has increased each year).
- Short kicking game is great. I know this is most people's gripe about him. Check his 2018 stats (the year he won Dally M Halfback of the year). He had 22 forced drop outs, I believe that was the second most that year.
- More try assists each year (16 in 2019, 10 in 2018, 9 in 2017).

It annoys me when people say "get rid of Brooks". And then what? Spend another 5-10 years trying to find a halfback? I know he never has the best opinions, but Steve 'Blocker' Roach (I think it was him. Either him or Matthew Johns) put it best when he said that he believes halves, on average, take 100 first grade games to mature and reach their potential. 100 games. That is how much time you have to invest in a halfback.

It is time to accept that he is a very good player and is more than worthy of both his price tag and place in our team!

 

[Tiger_Steve]

It hurts me when I see the Brooks haters out in force. It's as if they haven't watched him play since 2016. I have watched every single game of ours in the last five years. The difference between Brooks then and Brooks from 2018 onward is remarkable.
- He takes the line on more than any half in the competition.
- His defence is as good as any half. His missed tackle count is still high, but I haven't seen a miss from him affect the defensive line in three years. He almost always makes the important one-on-one tackles (see how he hammered Sam Burgess last year).
- His long kicking game has been on-point (average kicking metres has increased each year).
- Short kicking game is great. I know this is most people's gripe about him. Check his 2018 stats (the year he won Dally M Halfback of the year). He had 22 forced drop outs, I believe that was the second most that year.
- More try assists each year (16 in 2019, 10 in 2018, 9 in 2017).

It annoys me when people say "get rid of Brooks". And then what? Spend another 5-10 years trying to find a halfback? I know he never has the best opinions, but Steve 'Blocker' Roach (I think it was him. Either him or Matthew Johns) put it best when he said that he believes halves, on average, take 100 first grade games to mature and reach their potential. 100 games. That is how much time you have to invest in a halfback.

It is time to accept that he is a very good player and is more than worthy of both his price tag and place in our team!

We have a winner for post of the off season. Very logical post mate imo.