Brooks.... what is he good for??

[Honkylips]

I am not a fan of Brooks and have been one of his biggest critics for years but I thought he went ok last night. He will never be great though.

 

[cktiger]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.

Some people who “should know” have seen us miss the semis every year he’s been here.

 

[Sart0ri]

Some people who “should know” have seen us miss the semis every year he’s been here.

I am not saying they are geniuses, just a lot better judges than the people that think Brooks is a 5/8 or Benji is a halfback or Madden is a better option now than Brooks. And anyone that uses the argument that one variable out of thousands has been the same while we have not been making finals so a random change is better.

We have been the called Tigers for the last decade without a finals appearance, that must be the problem. Lets change our name to the Unicorns. #Its our ~~Jungle~~ Magical Place

 

[69-05-41]

When the game was on the line Ramjet steps-up again and slots a field goal. Brooks did not even bother practicing field goals pre-game, that was Doueihi. When it comes to winning games neither crabbing cross-field runs and sixth tackle bombs or going completely AWOL and hiding behind the goal posts has ever ended well for us. Brooks just goes through the motions until the opposition halfback inevitably puts us away. I don't blame Brooks for losing close games, I blame him for never winning them.

 

[twentyforty]

I think some fans would have a more positive view of Brooks’ potential to grab victory from the jaws of defeat if he could develop a killer short kicking game. Thread the needle and get us another 6 in the red zone?! Apart from that nobody should be disappointed in our 7. He’s not the problem, he’s part of the solution.

 

[Moh]

He is the best defensive back in the comp, and is probably our fastest player but he is not a Blake Green as far as a organising half, but I am more than happy to see him run out with the 7 on his back

Lol-best defensive back in the comp?
He’s not even the best defensive halfback(Cleary, Pearce etc say hello)
The bloke picks his options wrong consistently ... and was the first one to give up chasing when Penrith made their big break.
Rolled his eyes and stood there ... and he’s our fastest player.

You almost could've been taken seriously till you listed Pearce as a good defender.

Brooks is solid, not special. His game can definitely go another level, because we've seen glimpses.

I guarantee you there would be a few clubs ready to pinch him if they could.

 

[rustycage]

I know this won't be a popular view, but I think Brooksy is better with Benji in the side. In fact, I think the whole attack and flair of the team is better with Benji in the side. Reynolds missed tackles last night as poorly as Benj does at times. Apart from his 'energy' and niggling attitude, I don't think Reynolds adds enough to the side, in terms of attack that keeps the oppositon guessing.

He's learned his lesson, Madge. Bring back Benji to the starting line up. Reynolds to the bench for Chee Kam.


If you were there last night you would realise what a difference the Grub makes to this team . It is OFF the ball that is the difference and make no mistake if last night proved anything Grub is very much a fan favourite !

And, I'm a fan and I like and admire Reynolds. I just think the team is a much better attacking outfit with Marshall also playing and not any worse off defensively.

You do realise how many points we've scored since Marshall has been out of the team right? Attack isn't our issue. We've always been able to attack. Always trying to outscore. We're heading down a different path now.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

His defence is excellent and it's good to see that his hard work has paid off. How ever at what cost? Where is the Brooks that won dally m halfback a couple of years ago? That teamwork he played in wasn't amazing. No better or worse than this year's team.

So far in 6 games this year he has 1 try assist and 1 line break assist (both the same play). 3 repeat sets earnt too. It's just not enough. He needs to contribute more. He used to almost lead the league in try assists, but this part of his game seems to have disappeared. Especially seeing we've been a high scoring team, his lack of playmaking is disappointing. His kicks are also largely ineffective. Not sure what it is but I hope he recaptures his old attacking form soon!

BB, I believe Garner and Brooks are suffering because their combo has been split up to cover defensive deficiencies on the right. LL is a fine player but Garner's hole running is superior.

 

[Telltails]

I think it is obvious that the coach believes that defence wins matches and until all the team learn to tough it out in defence we won't be a force. He has already stated that we don't have trouble in scoring points and while every time we lose Brooks is a target can't see how that applies to that game with 45% possession and a 10 -5 penalty count. To have any hope of winning that game we needed to defend well and have a low error rate and for the most part Brooks and the team almost pulled it off.

 

[rah53]

I think it is obvious that the coach believes that defence wins matches and until all the team learn to tough it out in defence we won't be a force. He has already stated that we don't have trouble in scoring points and while every time we lose Brooks is a target can't see how that applies to that game with 45% possession and a 10 -5 penalty count. To have any hope of winning that game we needed to defend well and have a low error rate and for the most part Brooks and the team almost pulled it off.

I'm a defensive minded person as well, but I word it differently. If you can stop a team from scoring, you are always in the game. If you can't, then you're hoping your attack can keep up with your opposition.

I think defence takes pride & mongrel.

 

[Newton]

Brooks.... what is he good for??


About 3 games a season.

 

[Newton]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.

I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

[earl]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.


I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The point is some of us view him as close to the best halfback in the comp. I mean he isn't a stand out but who is better than him. Cleary and Keary are both good players. If Moses is on he is a good player. Are these guys better than Brooks and more to the point significantly better than Brooks ? I don't think they are. I watched the game on the weekend and Cleary is a good defender and a pretty good kicker but I don't think he offers anywhere near the ability to create and set-up plays compared to Brooks.

 

[Newton]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.


I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The point is some of us view him as close to the best halfback in the comp. I mean he isn't a stand out but who is better than him. Cleary and Keary are both good players. If Moses is on he is a good player. Are these guys better than Brooks and more to the point significantly better than Brooks ? I don't think they are. I watched the game on the weekend and Cleary is a good defender and a pretty good kicker but I don't think he offers anywhere near the ability to create and set-up plays compared to Brooks.

And then at 12-12 goes on to kick a field goal. And is running a team coming 2nd on the ladder, but whatever, kicking on the 5th down the fullbacks throat every set must be part of Brooks setting up.

Some are happy missing the finals year after year, id just be happy for the half back to control games and put teams away or heck even win a few games each season with some clutch plays, not just 2 or 3 of those moments spread out over a 140 game career, what a player. Dud.

 

[avocadoontoast]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.


I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The point is some of us view him as close to the best halfback in the comp. I mean he isn't a stand out but who is better than him. Cleary and Keary are both good players. If Moses is on he is a good player. Are these guys better than Brooks and more to the point significantly better than Brooks ? I don't think they are. I watched the game on the weekend and Cleary is a good defender and a pretty good kicker but I don't think he offers anywhere near the ability to create and set-up plays compared to Brooks.

I would say that Keary and DCE are significantly better than Brooks. As much as I hate Moses I also think he's a better player.

However, I don't think Brooks was too bad on the weekend. Reynolds however, was very poor. Offers very little in attack and his defence was terrible. Would prefer Marshall.

 

[Snake]

I think it is obvious that the coach believes that defence wins matches and until all the team learn to tough it out in defence we won't be a force. He has already stated that we don't have trouble in scoring points and while every time we lose Brooks is a target can't see how that applies to that game with 45% possession and a 10 -5 penalty count. To have any hope of winning that game we needed to defend well and have a low error rate and for the most part Brooks and the team almost pulled it off.

It seemed to me on a Saturday night they had no
Idea how to score points ! When you have a half that wants to catch and pass and not wants to engage the line you have no hope ! Watching them live they do have an issue with scoring points .. maybe the Brooks excuse booklet should be put away .. the forwards did not lay a foundation ..OPPS the forwards did lay a foundation ! Onto excuse No 2 I suppose.

 

[TrueTiger]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.


I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The point is some of us view him as close to the best halfback in the comp. I mean he isn't a stand out but who is better than him. Cleary and Keary are both good players. If Moses is on he is a good player. Are these guys better than Brooks and more to the point significantly better than Brooks ? I don't think they are. I watched the game on the weekend and Cleary is a good defender and a pretty good kicker but I don't think he offers anywhere near the ability to create and set-up plays compared to Brooks.

And then at 12-12 goes on to kick a field goal. And is running a team coming 2nd on the ladder, but whatever, kicking on the 5th down the fullbacks throat every set must be part of Brooks setting up.

Some are happy missing the finals year after year, id just be happy for the half back to control games and put teams away or heck even win a few games each season with some clutch plays, not just 2 or 3 of those moments spread out over a 140 game career, what a player. Dud.

I have been a critic of Luke quite a bit over the years Newton,but I think that this year he is learning a different game to play rather than his usual pattern,in having said that,Madge builds his gameplans around defensive structures and Brooks is doing what Madge wants.There is no doubt Luke has been a defensive dynamo with his tackling and when he can run the ball he is also very good at it..
Lets wait and see how his game progresses in the next few games and what Madge expects from him..
Remember Madge wants a culture change and therefore some of the players we used to see playing off the cuff and whats infront of them may be changing and the concentration is focussed on our defense.
We should also note the injuries to players eg Twal Musgrove that are go forward players haven't been in the side through injury and yet when they are in Lukes game seems to flow better..
Unlickily for us there has been a lot of chopping and changing to make up for injuries etc and this also stagnates team flow and plays that they have been used to with those in the team,a certain bond that Luke has with those players on the field he has to now form with new players and adapt...

 

[Snake]

He also won the Tigers player of the year for the last 2 years and was recently re-signed on a long contract. Some people who should know what they are talking about seem to think he is performing his role quite well.


I guess they are the same geniuses that havent seen a Tigers team make the finals in a decade. Yep, real solid knowing what they are talking about.

You cant make the finals without a half decent half back and Brooks is scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The point is some of us view him as close to the best halfback in the comp. I mean he isn't a stand out but who is better than him. Cleary and Keary are both good players. If Moses is on he is a good player. Are these guys better than Brooks and more to the point significantly better than Brooks ? I don't think they are. I watched the game on the weekend and Cleary is a good defender and a pretty good kicker but I don't think he offers anywhere near the ability to create and set-up plays compared to Brooks.

And then at 12-12 goes on to kick a field goal. And is running a team coming 2nd on the ladder, but whatever, kicking on the 5th down the fullbacks throat every set must be part of Brooks setting up.

Some are happy missing the finals year after year, id just be happy for the half back to control games and put teams away or heck even win a few games each season with some clutch plays, not just 2 or 3 of those moments spread out over a 140 game career, what a player. Dud.

I have been a critic of Luke quite a bit over the years Newton,but I think that this year he is learning a different game to play rather than his usual pattern,in having said that,Madge builds his gameplans around defensive structures and Brooks is doing what Madge wants.There is no doubt Luke has been a defensive dynamo with his tackling and when he can run the ball he is also very good at it..
Lets wait and see how his game progresses in the next few games and what Madge expects from him..
Remember Madge wants a culture change and therefore some of the players we used to see playing off the cuff and whats infront of them may be changing and the concentration is focussed on our defense.
We should also note the injuries to players eg Twal Musgrove that are go forward players haven't been in the side through injury and yet when they are in Lukes game seems to flow better..
Unlickily for us there has been a lot of chopping and changing to make up for injuries etc and this also stagnates team flow and plays that they have been used to with those in the team,a certain bond that Luke has with those players on the field he has to now form with new players and adapt...

So with that Grant totally plays off the cuff ! So the line the coach is hampering Brooks does not wash .. Brooks has had the same combo at halves for a while now including the Centre pairing for a time !

 

[Telltails]

I think it is obvious that the coach believes that defence wins matches and until all the team learn to tough it out in defence we won't be a force. He has already stated that we don't have trouble in scoring points and while every time we lose Brooks is a target can't see how that applies to that game with 45% possession and a 10 -5 penalty count. To have any hope of winning that game we needed to defend well and have a low error rate and for the most part Brooks and the team almost pulled it off.

It seemed to me on a Saturday night they had no
Idea how to score points ! When you have a half that wants to catch and pass and not wants to engage the line you have no hope ! Watching them live they do have an issue with scoring points .. maybe the Brooks excuse booklet should be put away .. the forwards did not lay a foundation ..OPPS the forwards did lay a foundation ! Onto excuse No 2 I suppose.

They are third highest scoring team in the comp only behind the Roosters and Eels Snake. We have scored 33 tries this year equal with the Eels and only behind Roosters on 37. Panthers dominated possession it was not a game that allowed us to score points we jad to defend to stay in the game Brooks did his job.