Brooks: What exactly has gone wrong?

[pawsandclaws1]

I’ve been really impressed with Adam Clune the last few weeks. Not suggesting we sign him cos I hate those kinds of posts. It’s echo chamber stuff. But if we could get that kind of output out of Brooks, he’d cop a lot less flak. He’s playing nowhere near Clune the last couple of weeks.

Clune is a really good player but plays behind strong forwards. This assists him greatly with his defence.

 

[Moh]

Seems slower which takes away alot of what he offers.


He does seem a bit slower, yes. That may be a factor.

Also seems a bit heavier?

Is there an injury we don't know about?

Not singling you out here @ElleryHanley - but I hate this line of thinking of 'carrying an injury'. Used far too often to justify poor performances and slow players.

I understand players play through injuries, but if you're picked and you allow yourself to get on you are open to be criticized as if its just another week.

I genuinely believe, as some have said, if you put Brooks in a top 8 team he will flourish and we will regret it - and I am sick of waiting, but is there really any better on the market?

I don't think so.

 

[Strider]

I rather keep Brooks and try get some powerful weapons in the team. Players not actual weapons

 

[The_Patriot]

What went wrong is we waited too long to realise he wasnt going to be a player who could elevate us to the top 8.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

What went wrong is we waited too long to realise he wasnt going to be a player who could elevate us to the top 8.

What about the disintegration of the player roster since he came into the team? We were never headed to the 8 with a failure to replace like for like. It is most unfair to lump the failures of the Club onto one of players whom stayed.

There are no doubt more but look at the quality -


Woods, Simona, JAC, Moses, Tedesco, Sironen x 2, Brown, Suli. Papenhuyzen left without playing NRL?

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Brooks has certainly been down on form in comparison to past years. I am of the opinion that he will not be that dominant half that will lead us. He will complement a good directing half. We are struggling with a distinct lack of quality both in the first team and depth as well.

I also believe he would thrive at Easts or Melbourne where everyone does their job, and does it well. I believe we should hire a halves coach. Tried it with Daley before having the NRL shaft us on it. Wonder if they should have another go with PVL at the helm.

 

[TigerSJ]

I think there are valid reasons why Brooks may not have developed the way some critics expect over the last 6 seasons. Not having a regular coach, lack of consistent quality spine members, forwards that are dominated week after week etc. However last season he performed to the best of his ability each week and deserved the votes from his fellow teammates. The question in this topic is what has happened this year, why the drop in form?
It seems to me that he has not responded well to Madges ruthless selections or the style of footy Madge seems to want. Maybe threatening some guys doesn’t work and they need a different approach. The fire and brimstone, hard task master, style doesn’t work for everyone. Maybe it has drained his confidence and he is afraid to step up in case he makes mistakes. Sometimes players need to feel the coach and team have confidence in them and their place is secure, then they can focus on their roles without that added pressure.
Many quality halves have gone through some big form slumps i hope for his first sake and the Tigers that he is able to fix this.
I should add that the woes of the team are not solely on Brooks, there are many problems with our roster that are resulting in what we are seeing on the field.

 

[trentrunciman]

I might get flamed for this but i think he needs Moses and or teddy there too. Brooks is talented but i don't think he's on the same level as Moses but i still believe they compliment each other. I loved watching them play at HC; schoolboys and NYC. I know they struggled tohether when they were first in grade but they were young as hell

 

[The_Patriot]

What went wrong is we waited too long to realise he wasnt going to be a player who could elevate us to the top 8.

What about the disintegration of the player roster since he came into the team? We were never headed to the 8 with a failure to replace like for like. It is most unfair to lump the failures of the Club onto one of players whom stayed.

There are no doubt more but look at the quality -


Woods, Simona, JAC, Moses, Tedesco, Sironen x 2, Brown, Suli. Papenhuyzen left without playing NRL?

Yes exactly and we put all our eggs in the Brooks basket to lead us into the future.

It's more pressure than his ability can over come.

Not his fault but neither is he the answer going forward.

We are crying out for a half who takes ownership of this teams fortunes. We are looking for energy, leadership and the ability to execute his talent under pressure.

That isn't Luke Brooks.

Apologies of that upsets his fans. I like the guy but we are well past keeping players because they are likeable.

 

[HowDugWT]

I don't get it. I think me and like many others, thought this was year of the brooks but no. The forward pack this year is amazing so he can just work of them but what's happening. He was on the rise. Last year was a bad forward pack mediocre backs but still was very good. Also he had one of the best halves ever as a mentor. So what is happening. Madge has dropped him and put him at five-eight but nothing has worked. So where to now. Right now on his form I would have Burton, Clune or Crossland over him.

Waste of potential what has he or the club done?

 

[Magpie1969]

Love everyone's opinion and they are all correct. I think most would agree that you have to draw a line in the sand and make the hard decision to part ways. Brooks is not our answer going forward but in an East or Melbourne side who have had success and players who are leaders around him Brooks potential could be realised. Both mentioned clubs would have an associate mentor which we struggle with.

 

[Hangonaminute]

What exactly has gone wrong?

Nothing, he's always been average and overrated from day 1.
I've been saying for years that as long as Brooks is our 7 we'll do nothing.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

Needs to find another, more suitable career.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Love everyone's opinion and they are all correct. I think most would agree that you have to draw a line in the sand and make the hard decision to part ways. Brooks is not our answer going forward but in an East or Melbourne side who have had success and players who are leaders around him Brooks potential could be realised. Both mentioned clubs would have an associate mentor which we struggle with.

Run up the White flag, admit by actions that WTs' suck but the Roosters or Storm don't. It doesn't read like much if a business model and we wonder why we cannot attract top talent!

 

[balmain boy]

Anyone that talks about the forward pack is oblivious to the issues he has. He's been a player with great attacking skills and instincts, but now these have deserted him. Nothing really to do with the pack. There are many many times when our pack has been on top and yet our awful kicks and attacking options have killed our momentum.
He has lost all confidence in his ability. The chip over the top was a good sign in a way that he is trying to find that spark again.
He's never had any issues getting 15 odd try assists a season with our previous squads, which were no better than our current squad. It's his execution and decision making which has regressed.
His bombs aren't high enough. Benji and doueihi can put up some great torpedo bombs yet Brooks has still never even tried to do one. He doesn't kick to the corners anymore and 90% of his kicks are taken comfortably on the full by opponents, under no pressure and usually 25m out from their own line. That's a poor end to most sets.

He's just a mentally fragile player who often crumbles under pressure. Game pressure, or competitive pressure from a team mate like Benji or Robbie. He's no leader, he's no halfback. He could be an adequate sidekick for a club with a dominant half, but he will never be a dominant half on his own merit. He simply doesn't have the temperament for it.

 

[Magpie1969]

Love everyone's opinion and they are all correct. I think most would agree that you have to draw a line in the sand and make the hard decision to part ways. Brooks is not our answer going forward but in an East or Melbourne side who have had success and players who are leaders around him Brooks potential could be realised. Both mentioned clubs would have an associate mentor which we struggle with.

Run up the White flag, admit by actions that WTs' suck but the Roosters or Storm don't. It doesn't read like much if a business model and we wonder why we cannot attract top talent!

You're 100% correct. Remember he has played 142 games in the top grade Bellamy would most likely play him as a running 5/8 and not half back. Remember he turned Cooper Cronk from centre to half back with Matty John's as mentor. CC comes across as a winner whilst Brooks just wants to be part of the gang. I would love Storm and Easts success at WT and believe we can investing in juniors but if players aren't working move them on. Storm move players on like Curtis Scott cause he does not match their native of success. George Rose another one.

 

[cktiger]

All the excuses in the world can't alter the fact he's s dud and shouldn't be in first grade.
Time to say sayonara, Luke.
For those who think he'd kill it in a much better team... not a chance - or they would have already grabbed him when his price was rock bottom.
We've been conned by a playful puppy everyone likes because he smiles and was 'loyal'.

 

[balmain boy]

Love everyone's opinion and they are all correct. I think most would agree that you have to draw a line in the sand and make the hard decision to part ways. Brooks is not our answer going forward but in an East or Melbourne side who have had success and players who are leaders around him Brooks potential could be realised. Both mentioned clubs would have an associate mentor which we struggle with.

Run up the White flag, admit by actions that WTs' suck but the Roosters or Storm don't. It doesn't read like much if a business model and we wonder why we cannot attract top talent!

You're 100% correct. Remember he has played 142 games in the top grade Bellamy would most likely play him as a running 5/8 and not half back. Remember he turned Cooper Cronk from centre to half back with Matty John's as mentor. CC comes across as a winner whilst Brooks just wants to be part of the gang. I would love Storm and Easts success at WT and believe we can investing in juniors but if players aren't working move them on. Storm move players on like Curtis Scott cause he does not match their native of success. George Rose another one.

When was cronk a centre?

 

[TigerVinnie]

With the year he had last I expected big things out of him in 2020 - his confidence is absolutely shot. I am one of Brooks biggest supporters but even now this is going on for too long, if you cant stand up and lead this team then its time to go.

Only issue is... I can just see him going to another level at another club and once again we look like a laughing stock letting him go. There is no win win here.

 

[Telltails]

Lots of players have form lapses. Of all the players in every club 7's are the most highly scrutinized and when teams are not going well they are usually the first target. He needs better players around him but he will still never escape criticism, and nor will he ever meet the expectations of some.