Brooks: What exactly has gone wrong?

[Lauren]

If people are trying to solve why Brooks simply can't return to previous form, then you'll find yourselves going down a rabbit hole.
I'm sure there are some Psych students on here that can tell you this exact thing, one of the biggest mysteries in Sporting Psychology is form slumps and restoration requires more than mental health promotion. Environmental and external factors are just as pivotal in contributing to their head space.

 

[Wests_Tony]

He was missing a lot of tackles last year and this season was dropped at one stage for his defence, which has improved greatly since then. Maybe the defensive load is taking so much out of him that he just doesn't have the attacking energy to be a threat.

 

[69-05-41]

I don't care what has gone wrong, I am over it and want to see Brooks moved on ASAP. Benji has proven himself and was a golden boot at a similar age. Benji is 35 years old and has had multiple shoulder reconstructions. He is too old to be running an NRL team with a misfiring halves partner. Brooks has had a good run with injuries and should be in the prime of his career, not regressing never having played a single finals game. I hope Brooks can reinvent himself but it must be somewhere else or we will still be ninth and making excuses for him in 2027.

 

[Snake]

If people are trying to solve why Brooks simply can't return to previous form, then you'll find yourselves going down a rabbit hole.
I'm sure there are some Psych students on here that can tell you this exact thing, one of the biggest mysteries in Sporting Psychology is form slumps and restoration requires more than mental health promotion. Environmental and external factors are just as pivotal in contributing to their head space.

So with that has he off field problems ? being an external factor .

 

[Sart0ri]

Exactly this.
He has BJ as a weapon and never passes the ball to him. He is deadset a pretender at the moment.

That is a very long pass to BJ on the right hand side of the field.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Exactly this.
He has BJ as a weapon and never passes the ball to him. He is deadset a pretender at the moment.

That is a very long pass to BJ on the right hand side of the field.

Especially when Benji can just hand it directly to Joey as he runs past him on his way crabbing towards the sideline, if he decides to go that far, else just the normal bypass Garner to run him and Nofoaluma out of room.

Mind you, Brooks was there to do that from the Talau long break if he had anyone to pass to. Worst part of that was Liddle would have been there in support had he not been replaced as that break that could have gotten us to within two points played out. Liddle was still going strong, working well with Luke and Elijah through the middle, then all our rhythm went off the field with him.

 

[Lauren]

If people are trying to solve why Brooks simply can't return to previous form, then you'll find yourselves going down a rabbit hole.
I'm sure there are some Psych students on here that can tell you this exact thing, one of the biggest mysteries in Sporting Psychology is form slumps and restoration requires more than mental health promotion. Environmental and external factors are just as pivotal in contributing to their head space.

So with that has he off field problems ? being an external factor .

That too Snake.
Though in psychological terms it's basically everything not involving the inner thought process(self-esteem, confidence, drive and determination).
I only mention due to the importance it has on nurturing our younger player's developments and there seems to be genuine concerns about the team's resilience. While fortitude is the perfect counteractive tool, unless we have all appropriate resources to overcome such barriers we will always be in the same position going forward.

We don't have a team full of players with elite athletic ability but I'd still love to see the club capably helping each player reach their full potential.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

If people are trying to solve why Brooks simply can't return to previous form, then you'll find yourselves going down a rabbit hole.
I'm sure there are some Psych students on here that can tell you this exact thing, one of the biggest mysteries in Sporting Psychology is form slumps and restoration requires more than mental health promotion. Environmental and external factors are just as pivotal in contributing to their head space.

So with that has he off field problems ? being an external factor .

That too Snake.
Though in psychological terms it's basically everything not involving the inner thought process(self-esteem, confidence, drive and determination).
I only mention due to the importance it has on nurturing our younger player's developments and there seems to be genuine concerns about the team's resilience. While fortitude is the perfect counteractive tool, unless we have all appropriate resources to overcome such barriers we will always be in the same position going forward.

We don't have a team full of players with elite athletic ability but I'd still love to see the club capably helping each player reach their full potential.

Brooksy likes a party . At the moment he can’t party . Maybe lockdown is doing his head in and he can’t unwind . You can say “ he’s a professional footballer what a baby” or “if I earned that much I wouldn’t be like that “etc. but in reality , how do you know ? I know from a job I had in another life , the best guys were also the loosest . And the guys who did what they were supposed to, all the time . were absolutely useless. It could very well be just that . Lockdown just doesn’t suit him . And he’s not doing a Pangsi and saying “whatevz , I do what I want !”
Or he has zero weapons on his side . He doesn’t need the massive backrower who runs over ten blokes and offloads , he needs the awesome hole runner who attracts defenders .
Last year , I said that with Garner and brooks on the same edge Thommo had unpteenth opportunities , wrapping , and screwed them up . This year the opportunities arnt there , because for as good as Luciano is , he doesn’t run a good line .
It also works with a centre who hits a hole like a mad man . You have to have someone who moves the defence just by being there . Lattrell , Is the best example . But Garner did it as well to a smaller level . Otherwise it’s happy days for the defence . It’s all about making your tackles then .

 

[hodgo]

this will sound harsh and i have no other way to say it nicely but i think he lacks smarts. I think athletically he has shown he is well up to it but when it comes to thinking on the fly and following plans etc he seems to get found out.

 

[crazycat]

Halfbacks are meant to guide the team.

Benji plays it as he sees it.
Brooks, runs hard, kicks, can tackle... but cant structure the team in the right.

I honestly think we would have to go back to Robert Lui or Nathan? Mead before we would see a very different team.

I wish in hindsight we Grabbed Maloney. Maloney at half and Brooks at 5/8 would be a bomb combination. Now Brooks has 2x dominant 5/8 guiding him. As Mitch Moses said there was never a good halves coach...

Move Brooks to 5/8 and get either Adrian Lamb or Kyle Flanagan fro. The roosters.

 

[izotope]

He was missing a lot of tackles last year and this season was dropped at one stage for his defence, which has improved greatly since then. Maybe the defensive load is taking so much out of him that he just doesn't have the attacking energy to be a threat.

if that was the case benji should be the biggest attacking weapon in the world.
He may be focusing more on defense but surely after 6 years he has some attacking basics.

For me he's not hitting the line, hard to create opportunities if you dont do that

 

[tig_prmz]

i knew he had a bad year but 1 try assist all year? What are his stats on line breaks and line break assists?

 

[Bula]

I actually think Brooks is a bit thick between the ears

You want your halfback to be Masterchef. Brooks is a kitchen hand.

 

[the_third]

Exactly this.
He has BJ as a weapon and never passes the ball to him. He is deadset a pretender at the moment.

That is a very long pass to BJ on the right hand side of the field.

Not from where I was sitting

 

[hobbo1]

I actually think Brooks is a bit thick between the ears

You want your halfback to be Masterchef. Brooks is a kitchen hand.

Even Gordon Ramsey would give up ?

 

[Rugbyfanatic]

What had Brooks done over five years? Overrated clueless player who shouldnt be anywhere near the ball.

 

[Magpie1969]

Sterling, Stuart, Johns, Cronk, Thurston quality halves that lead their teams to Grand Final wins.
Brooks not in the same league and 6 years of trying.
NRL quality Yes but needs a new club to kick start his career plus plus a mentor like Johns or Cronk. Does not appear to be a student of the game like above mentioned in interviews his given.

 

[Geo]

Agreed he has had too many, but they have been emotional or reactionary ones. ‘Brooks is rubbish!’ ‘Brooks is not a half’ etc. Ultimately we learn nothing.

Yes and this has become constructive..we ha learned...Not a Chef

 

[Dyloh]

Shortened season, he missed a couple games at the start of the year due to injury I think? And then came off the bench for 20 mins for 2 or 3 games wasn't it? Defensive load increased playing outside Mbye and a rookie in Talau ( Benji and Nofa get drilled for rushing out of the line but Mbye gets a pass for whatever reason and considered a solid defender). Seem to be coached to play structured footy with Brooks only playing left side exclusively until were behind and only then it seems the shackles come off when were trying to chase points. Could of had enough of watching all his mates leave and go on to better things while he's stuck here copping all the flack for other people not putting in? Take ya pick I reckon.

 

[weststigerman]

Instead of looking at the individual players like Brooks, we need to figure out why we’re not getting the best out of any of the halves. Brooks looks lost, and Reynolds, Walters have looked similar.

Parra have Joey working with their halves, I have no idea what we’re doing.