Brooks
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jrtiger
Well-known member
He was patchy. Thought his kicking game was above average and should've had a try assist (Benji's only gaffe of the game). Actually applauded him for his professional foul, we were shot to pieces on the right side if he doesn't commit to that play. Combined with Benji well, but the service he received was below par and his backline didn't gel, especially Naiqama, the bloke needs the axe. Next few weeks will give us more of an idea of the role he will play this season, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point.
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
@ said:
Got things going well and whilst MM was better than in the trials, it was a slow and predictable ruck mid game.
Our halfback played as good or better than his national representative player opposite and still gets hounded by some, go figure.
On Brooks, he was defensively solid, his kicking game was better than usual. That short kick he threaded through Teddy for Benji was well weighted, something he's struggled with, and toward the end he placed kicks to corners well.
Still plenty of improvement for him, but he was better than what we're accustomed to, so it's a step in the right direction. He will have no choice to improve now, Benji has shown his hand and Reynolds and Gamble are also there. Here's hoping he continues to improve.
His sin binning was garbage, seen plenty worse go unpunished.
Still plenty of improvement for him, but he was better than what we're accustomed to, so it's a step in the right direction. He will have no choice to improve now, Benji has shown his hand and Reynolds and Gamble are also there. Here's hoping he continues to improve.
His sin binning was garbage, seen plenty worse go unpunished.
TurnStyle
Well-known member
@ said:
Im exactly the same. he absolutely infuriated me the last 2-3 seasons he was at the tiges, and he has come back a far more mature, team oriented player.
im also an old Benji basher but i stand by what i said because when i said it, i think it was true.
imo he has become the player he was when he played in the centres against the dragons in Brooks' debut and he and the tigers are all the better for it.
i never thought i would be happy he came back, but i was (and am) as well.
as for Brooks, im not disheartened by his game at all; its his first real go behind an insanely better pack than the team has had in the past and he actually threatened when he held the ball taking it up to the line.
i think he did well.
J
Joel_Caine_Fan_82
Guest
@ said:
if Brooks didnt save that try that lolhea was too damn slow to catch where he got sent off we wouldnt have won it even with what benji did
also maybe if benji actually stopped kicking on 3rd tackle and actually started passing the ball more to try and get masters one on one we may have won it a lot sooner
This is the first game of the year for a brand new team. He needs a bit of time and patience to get a feel for his new team mates during a game situation. Im prepared to give him until rounf 6 or 7 to show signs of improvement. His issues in attack can be fixed. Toughness and guts in defense cant be coached or fixed and he obviously has that.
G
Guest
Guest
@ said:
100% agree with you regarding Brooks defence Happy, that was a standout for him today. His turn and chase on Ferguson was brilliant too. Cleary has spoken about the side wanting to play more attacking football this year, but I didn't see that today. Mind you, the way we attacked in defence was excellent. Going back to Brooks though, perhaps Cleary has instructed the side to play percentage football until the match fitness and timing is up to speed, and then we'll start to see a shift in the way we play? Given Marshall controlled the play so well it was a good opportunity for Brooks to take the line on a bit more.
Just speculating on the above, but the other thing to note is that while we lack genuine speedsters, we've got some very good offloading ability and second phase play. Marsters, Chee-Kam, Lolohea all got away very good offloads…Guys like Nofo and Fonua are also adept at it but will have to bide their time for now.
@ said:
I was Rd 1 trained and played both trials with Reynolds as his halves partner..during trials they played more both sides ..I think it was dumbed down after Reynolds late withdrawal…Benji not playing any trials..
Brooks was telling people where to be off the ball ..talking a lot more than I've seen in the past...
He did some good things in attack some nice balls one to Rowdy in particular..didn't go for any miracle plays..found the sideline in the last 10mins one in the last 6mins turned the Rorters around..the kick for the almost TRY was accurate..
Of course that means nothing without 14 TRY assists 10 LB assists 4 TRIES..
1M dollar man Cronk seemed to go missing at the end for them...
larrycorowa
New member
He had a real dig. Looks like he is physically better prepared. His attack will come as he builds confidence in his game. Btw how good did Benji look? Confident and composed.
happy_tiger
Well-known member
@ said:
My point that despite losing Reynolds it gives him MORE reasons to run
Can think of three times yesterday when we had the Roosters on the back foot near their tryline when it was the perfect opportunity to run which would actually help Benji
Liked what I saw from Marshall yesterday , great to see he understands what works in his game and what doesn't and really chose some high quality percentage options
The way he controlled the game while Brooks was in the sin bin was good football
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
He was fine. Complaining for the sake of complaining if you had a problem with him. Marshall was the man though. I think the year under Bennett did him wonders.
Just watched the first half again and he defended really well, kicked really well, generally through some nice passes one lovely one to Lawrence and he threw them at the line which means it was getting us forward. In the first half at least others broke down our attacking shots - Benji with a poor pass, Godinet with a poor pass,etc but it never fell apart at Brooks
I see brooksy game a little diff today. Firstly i am brooksys biggest detractor. Today he didnt make many mistakes imo. He is usually good for 3or 4 seven tackle sets for the opp. He usually minces a few kicks to put us under pressure. He usually misses critical tackles. And today i saw none of that. I actually think he went well i even think he made the smart play by getting 10
I thought Brooks had one of his best games for us in a long time. It will be interesting to see how he goes over the next 5 weeks or more, because you just cant keep ignoring the numerous opportunities Gamble created in state cup. Admittedly against weaker opposition but he was definitely a class above. Imagine our first grade players having those opportunities to play off.
stevied
Well-known member
@ said:
Bit of irony there with Taylor the top tackler but, who indirectly costs us a sin bin and two points, and Brooks, who did little else positive, saves us six points…Brooks is one of only two genuinely quick players in the Tigers side.
stevied
Well-known member
@ said:
Yes, Kev was our weakest player. Bad pass, dropped ball and poor defensive read that cost us 6 points. I like him but he is really not good enough. Unfortunately, there is no one is ISP who is putting their hand up to replace him.
clontarfkid
Well-known member
Brooks has 4 to 8 weeks(the duration of Reynolds hamstring recovery)to show the world why a Benji/Reynolds combo in the halves wld be preferable.
On the subject of opportunities,Id sub McQueen for Lawrence tomorrow,and milne for Kev…both incumbents the weakest links yesterday,and two meritorious replacements.
Have no room for Nofa at this stage,altho Tui on thin ice if he didn't kick that winning conversion
On the subject of opportunities,Id sub McQueen for Lawrence tomorrow,and milne for Kev…both incumbents the weakest links yesterday,and two meritorious replacements.
Have no room for Nofa at this stage,altho Tui on thin ice if he didn't kick that winning conversion
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