Brooks half partner 2021

[Needaname]

Hope it’s Madden. We have 2 more nothing games. What, are we desperate to hang on to 9th place?
It’s been said before. Ivan and the chipmunks are in the place they are in this year because from about 2/3rds of the way through last season they decided to blood a lot of players.
I’m worried we are going to go into next season either persisting with players that aren’t in our future plans or trying to start off with players that haven’t played a game of Football for 12months.
It doesn’t matter if it is the Storm or the Bulldogs we need to use this opportunity to see what we have going forwards.

 

[twentyforty]

I reckon the club should do Benji a favour and get Widdop to partner Brooks which will possibly open an offer for him to play with Warrington.

 

[Snake]

I reckon the club should do Benji a favour and get Widdop to partner Brooks which will possibly open an offer for him to play with Warrington.

This is the only way Brooks is going to survive at the club .. an experienced partner that is an organising half with a good kicking game .

 

[NT_Tiger]

I don't know who it will be but I truly hope it isn't Reynolds because I hope he takes the hint. Personally I think it is a huge hint that the club moves on a low paid legend who is actually still playing in a position that could be occupied by someone on megabucks sitting in the grandstand (when it's not too cold).
I hope Maguire gives Madden a shot in the next two games.

 

[Telltails]

I don't know who it will be but I truly hope it isn't Reynolds because I hope he takes the hint. Personally I think it is a huge hint that the club moves on a low paid legend who is actually still playing in a position that could be occupied by someone on megabucks sitting in the grandstand (when it's not too cold).
I hope Maguire gives Madden a shot in the next two games.

Crawley will be on the blower again aka poor Josh Reynolds and why don't they help move him on if they don't want him. Poor and Josh Reynolds in the same sentence - a great definition of an oxymoron.

 

[avocadoontoast]

I reckon next year I dont know who plays alongside Brooks,but I will say if its JRey ,Mbye or AD,we will see a different Luke Brooks …he wont be stifled by Benji…

TT Brooks played alongside Benji in 2018 and 2019 and won Dally M Halfback of the year and Wests Tigers player of the year respectively. Brooks played with Reynolds 4 times this year for 0 try assists and 1 forced drop out, total.

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it's not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He's been out of form because he's playing poorly.

 

[Strider]

I don't agree with don't play Madden for his first game against Storm. We will have largely the same roster next year and will be playing th same teams again. He may as well play now. Storm will be treating the game against Tigers as a training practise for the finals rather than a proper contest, so it might actually not be so brutal for Madden anyway besides the score line. Play the lad 😛

 

[Strider]

I reckon the club should do Benji a favour and get Widdop to partner Brooks which will possibly open an offer for him to play with Warrington.

This is the only way Brooks is going to survive at the club .. an experienced partner that is an organising half with a good kicking game .

What's Brooks role though then? He is an experienced half and he isn't creating much opportunities with his running game.

 

[earl]

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it’s not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He’s been out of form because he’s playing poorly.

I think one of the best myths I've seen on this forum is Brooks poor form is due to something other than Brooks. The other myth is we can't sign JAC without the Storm obtaining a player from somewhere.

Hopefully both myths are proven wrong via JAC signing with us and Brooks getting back into form.

 

[earl]

I reckon the club should do Benji a favour and get Widdop to partner Brooks which will possibly open an offer for him to play with Warrington.

This is the only way Brooks is going to survive at the club .. an experienced partner that is an organising half with a good kicking game .

What's Brooks role though then? He is an experienced half and he isn't creating much opportunities with his running game.

I think Madge said a really good comment in his press conference or something when asked about Brooks. He said Brooks was on the ball for a lot of the game. That is what we need him doing. Just being busy looking for gaps, running the ball, putting in good kicks and setting players up. He isn't a stand back and pick his moments half.

So he has to put in good quality kicks ala the Douiehi try as put players over and make linebreaks.

If he can't do those things he has to go. I don't know how many more chances he gets but I don't think he has been that bad. I'd have Brooks and Mbye in the halves next year. They seem to be able to work together.

 

[Tiger5150]

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it’s not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He’s been out of form because he’s playing poorly.

I think one of the best myths I've seen on this forum is Brooks poor form is due to something other than Brooks. ***The other myth is we can't sign JAC without the Storm obtaining a player from somewhere.***

Hopefully both myths are proven wrong via JAC signing with us and Brooks getting back into form.

Please explain why the JAC one is a myth? He is under contract to Melbourne for next year. We cant do anything unless Melb agree?

 

[Telltails]

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it’s not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He’s been out of form because he’s playing poorly.

I think one of the best myths I've seen on this forum is Brooks poor form is due to something other than Brooks. The other myth is we can't sign JAC without the Storm obtaining a player from somewhere.

Hopefully both myths are proven wrong via JAC signing with us and Brooks getting back into form.

So true Earl. Brooks hasn't had the opportunity to regularly play behind a dominant pack I'll give him that, but he has had plenty of opportunity with the ball in hand to develop his game after numerous seasons in FG, despite who plays beside him. He should take a leaf out of Harry Grants book- "stifled" by no one and made an instant impact.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

Brooks based upon this season may still not be the answer long term, his form has only improved since it was stated that Benji would not be offered a contract in 2021.

Interesting selection who will partner Benji this week with Brooks suspended, maybe a good time to Blood Madden with the storm most likely to rest a few players, considering the worst they can finish now is 3rd but most likely 2nd.

 

[Strider]

I reckon the club should do Benji a favour and get Widdop to partner Brooks which will possibly open an offer for him to play with Warrington.

This is the only way Brooks is going to survive at the club .. an experienced partner that is an organising half with a good kicking game .

What's Brooks role though then? He is an experienced half and he isn't creating much opportunities with his running game.

I think Madge said a really good comment in his press conference or something when asked about Brooks. He said Brooks was on the ball for a lot of the game. That is what we need him doing. Just being busy looking for gaps, running the ball, putting in good kicks and setting players up. He isn't a stand back and pick his moments half.

So he has to put in good quality kicks ala the Douiehi try as put players over and make linebreaks.

If he can't do those things he has to go. I don't know how many more chances he gets but I don't think he has been that bad. I'd have Brooks and Mbye in the halves next year. They seem to be able to work together.

I understand personally I think that's his weakness, looking for gaps, running etc Often if he gets early ball and tries to do something off the cuff he seems confused, throws a dummy fooling nobody and runs straight into a defender. No side step. Or he passes to the fella next to him. No cut out ball to an empty winger. He is about 26. I dont see him turning into a young Benji type. I think his best chance is being a game controlling half with a halves partner who can side step and throw cut out passes. Wish we had Shaun Johnson.

 

[TrueTiger]

I reckon next year I dont know who plays alongside Brooks,but I will say if its JRey ,Mbye or AD,we will see a different Luke Brooks …he wont be stifled by Benji…

TT Brooks played alongside Benji in 2018 and 2019 and won Dally M Halfback of the year and Wests Tigers player of the year respectively. Brooks played with Reynolds 4 times this year for 0 try assists and 1 forced drop out, total.

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it's not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He's been out of form because he's playing poorly.

You would think if that was true then 2020 should have seen Brooks step up even further instead of going backwards...

 

[earl]

He should take a leaf out of Harry Grants book- “stifled” by no one and made an instant impact.

This is a great comparison. Grant gets very few chances and shows that he is a quality NRL player basically immediately.

I'm okay with seeing how Brooks goes until his contract his over and I can see signs that he can be an NRL half. He needs to play though well consistently for the remainder of his contact to determine if he gains another contract.

 

[avocadoontoast]

I reckon next year I dont know who plays alongside Brooks,but I will say if its JRey ,Mbye or AD,we will see a different Luke Brooks …he wont be stifled by Benji…

TT Brooks played alongside Benji in 2018 and 2019 and won Dally M Halfback of the year and Wests Tigers player of the year respectively. Brooks played with Reynolds 4 times this year for 0 try assists and 1 forced drop out, total.

I want Benji gone as much as anyone but it's not his fault Brooks has been out of form. He's been out of form because he's playing poorly.

You would think if that was true then 2020 should have seen Brooks step up even further instead of going backwards...

No. He’s gone backwards because he’s out of form and playing poorly. I’m saying it has nothing to do with Benji as he’s played well with him in 2018 and 2019. The ‘Benji stifling Brooks attack’ argument is nonsense.

 

[Strider]

Lots of our attack has come from Harry (You're a wizard!) or 'he who shall not be named'. Whoever is in 2021 I hope we have adequate coaching for the duo, like if they need to bring in an Andrew Johns type fella to lift them even by 2%. None of Brooks, Mbye, Reynolds, AD Madden seem like the type to make constant line breaks. Ok Reynolds is the best in that regard but he is on the outer it seems. So the 2021 duo will have to rely on fantastic game management and try assists.

 

[voice_of_reason]

On a similar number of games, and at a similar age, Munster is a long way ahead of Luke. That's not to say Brooks can't lift, I'm still quietly hoping he's a late bloomer and will actually lead the team rather than metaphorically sitting in a corner sucking his thumb. I'm sure he has it in him, someone just needs to get it out.

 

[WT2K]

The Sydney Morning Herald

'I still like playing five-eighth': Doueihi eyes Benji's jumper
By Christian Nicolussi
September 14, 2020 — 3.51pm

Adam Doeuihi sees himself as a No.6 but might have to wait until next season to get his wish as the Wests Tigers look set to recall Josh Reynolds for this week's clash against Melbourne.

Tigers fans will be split over who should replace the suspended Luke Brooks in the halves alongside Benji Marshall for Saturday's game. Reynolds, Doueihi and even rookie Jock Madden all have supporters.

Madden is no chance of being given a debut against a tough opponent like the Storm, so Reynolds appears the front-runner, despite some club greats last week hoping he would be overlooked for the rest of the year because of his Brookvale Oval walkout.

Doueihi said he would love to play five-eighth after being tried at fullback and, more recently, in the centres.

The 22-year-old was being groomed for Cody Walker's No.6 jersey at South Sydney over the summer until the club decided to re-sign Walker. He was then told to prepare for fullback before they signed Latrell Mitchell.


'I played all my junior footy and under 20s in the halves.'

"I still like playing five-eighth, I played all my junior footy and under 20s in the halves,'' Doueihi said. "Long term, I'd like to see myself there but it's up to 'Madge' [Tigers coach Michael Maguire] where he sees me.

"We've also got Jock Madden coming up. I'm not sure if he's going to get a run [on Saturday] but if Madge gives me the No.6 or No.7 jersey, I'll definitely take it with both hands.''

At one stage last summer, Doueihi was linked to the Storm, only for the powerhouse club to baulk at the huge money he was on at Souths.

The chance to play alongside departing Tigers legend Marshall clearly had appeal.

"He's a freak of a player ... he's just an amazing bloke to play with,'' Doueihi said.


"He's a big leader in this club obviously. We have a young squad and we don't have much experience, for him to be around the boys at training and in the game ... he's a big name, has an aura about him around the club, loves the Tigers and you can see he's still got some footy in him.

"I think it helps [having someone with that aura], especially at our club. We're a young squad, not many boys have played finals footy or many first-grade games, so a big name does help us out.''

As for his first season at the Tigers, Doueihi said: "I'm happy with how I'm travelling. I've had a few niggles with the longer season and no byes this year. Everyone is carrying niggles now so you can't do many extras on the paddock at training, which is a bit disappointing.

"There's stuff I have to work on. It will be a big off-season for me to pick my speed up, get strong in the gym, get my endurance up. I haven't really done a pre-season. I've had surgeries the past few and the World Cup in [2017], so I'm looking forward to a really good pre-season next year and working on some things to fix up my game.''