Brooks becomes the running man

[TigerSJ]

Man there are some tough critics here. I think Brooks is improving all the time since returning from injury and thought that game was one of his best. He has put a lot of effort in his 1v1 D and is turning up on desperate defensive plays often as well. He is getting more involved in the game and still think that he hasn't had a lot of help this season from a playmaking point of view. Tui is only just starting to add another go to option in attack, and we have had very little creativity out of dummy half. Then there is also the efforts of your forwards and the speed of the ptb - a lot of factors contributing to the performance of the half. Look at Manly yesterday - they had DCE, Green and Korisau all running plays and providing options.

I think the additions to the squad along with more time with Ivan can only benefit him.

 

[jirskyr]

Interested to note today that Luke Brooks is #18 in most missed tackles, with 63, 27 behind Slimey Fart who is 3rd. ET is actually worst Tiger for total # missed tackles, but it does not account for % effective.

Maloney (perennial really), Koroisau, Slimey, E Lowe, D Walker, ET, Gagai, Reagan C-G, Sezer, Gillett, Whitehead, Widdop, McCrone, Keary, Ash Taylor, S Mata'utia, Mbye, **Brooks**, L Lewis, Townsend.

Brooks has missed a few games but still, it would be the first time in many years that he appears destined to finish outside the Top 10 for missed tackles.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Whidpers around Brooks out of Cowboys game due to hammy

 

[will1999]

Whidpers around Brooks out of Cowboys game due to hammy

he is

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

Classic example today when the play called for an inside ball to Ted, he failed to notice that the defence read it and commited to it anyway. Ted got hit by 2 guys and spilt the ball. This happens A LOT.

I think Tedesco stuffed that play up.

Of course he did….never in doubt,

 

[Carefactor]

Whidpers around Brooks out of Cowboys game due to hammy

he is

Lol the running man . Hammy yet again .

 

[greatodensraven]

Sure missed him tonight hey

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Brooks cops a hammering on this forum re defence but both tries for the Illawarra have come via Nathan Cleary defensive errors. Duftie also is very quick and looking like the next very good fullback to emerge from the Illawarra Juniors.

 

[Love_the_WestsTigers]

If i was Luke Brooks i'd retire now
He has been missing way too often with hammy issues

When he is on the park he is missing in attack so what difference does it make

 

[2041]

I've just had a look at Brooks's stats in comparison with a fair clutch of young halves: Cleary, M*ses and Ash Taylor. First of all, Brooks has played way fewer minutes this year due to injury: 1,300 total compared with 1,800-2,000 for all the other three. So for a fair comparison you can probably add 40-50% to all Brooks's counting stats. If you do so you might be surprised to learn how well Brooks stacks up.

Tries
Brooks 4 (call it 6 for like-for-like)
Cleary 11
Taylor 5
M*ses 4

Line Breaks
Brooks 7 (10)
Cleary 7
Taylor 4
M*ses 6

Try assists
Brooks 9 (13)
Cleary 9
Taylor 19
M*ses 10

Line break assists
Brooks 5 (7)
Cleary 11
Taylor 9
M*ses 15

Tackle breaks
Brooks 22 (33)
Cleary 53
Taylor 22
M*ses 24

Run metres
Brooks 1,280 (1,880)
Cleary 1,800
Taylor 1,270
M*ses 1,450

Missed tackles
Brooks 67 (100)
Cleary 60
Taylor 69
M*ses 104

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I think Brooks does most things at an acceptable or above average level. The only things he struggles with are the 5th tackle options and short kicking. He remedies this (we know in the past that he is capable of it,) and he becomes an infinitely better halfback.

 

[jirskyr]

Good performance last night. He just needs to reduce the difference and regularity between his best and worst performances.

He has the talent, it's there, he just needs to get in the groove of producing it on a weekly basis.

BUT one thing I'll say for sure, his best games have almost always come when the entire team is performing and working over the opposition - hardly surprising, but no halfback from the bottom 4-5 clubs is going to be able to claim an outstanding season.

 

[Mr_Magpie]

I think Brooks does most things at an acceptable or above average level. The only things he struggles with are the 5th tackle options and short kicking. He remedies this (we know in the past that he is capable of it,) and he becomes an infinitely better halfback.

Good call IMHO.
And look for more improvement after spending time with Benji.
Impressed with his game on the weekend. Has a lot of experience and skills to pass on. A smart move, bringing him home.