I don't listen to the hype: Brooks

[Tigersman]

I don't listen to the hype: Brooks
James MacSmith
18:49 AEST Thu Mar 13 2014

Wests Tigers young gun Luke Brooks says he has shunned the media in the lead-up to his first full season in the NRL.

The promising halfback says he isn't listening to the hype or those who have tagged him the NRL's 'Next Big Thing'.

"The big thing I have learned in the lead-up to this season is probably just not to listen to the media when they are talking about me and to not get too far ahead of myself," Brooks said on Thursday.

"I just try and stay away from it.

"I'm just concentrating on playing football.

"And out on the field I don't feel that pressure.

"Once I am out there it comes naturally, the boys are helping me out.

"(That hype)it is not something I am worried about."

Brooks enjoyed a stunning debut in the Tigers' late season win over St George Illawarra last year but struggled against the same opposition on Sunday in the Dragons' 44-24 first round win.

"I found it pretty tough but it was really enjoyable it was good to get out there to learn a few things and get the experience," Brooks said.

"We have been working a lot on our defence and last tackle options because we really struggled there.

"Hopefully we can turn it around this week."

Brooks' halves partner Braith Anasta said the loss to the Dragons would form part of a steep learning curve for the youngster.

"He is going to learn every game but we have to help him every game and we probably didn't help him enough on the weekend, especially with the kicking game," Anasta said.

"You have to get confidence in first grade. It is only one performance away. It is only one week away.

"You don't dwell on it. You come out this week and have a blinder, score a try, put on a good kicking game, set up a couple, all of a sudden you are back where you were on top of the world again."

The Tigers face first-up winners the Gold Coast away on Sunday.

Prop Keith Galloway (toe) and winger David Nofoaluma (hamstring) have been added to an extended bench but remain 50/50 propositions.

LINK: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8813877

 

[TIGER]

I don't believe any player that says that. They may think they don't listen to the hype or it doesn't effect them but it does, the fact he's constantly answering questions about it itself means he's being affected by it whether he thinks he is or not. You can't tell me his performance in rd1 wasn't affected by hype and expectation. That chip kick for himself said it all for me it was an attempt by him to show everyone what he can do it was a desperate attempt to live up to the hype and expectation and it has put a sour taste in my mouth.That kick told me he's thinking he has to do something fancy to avoid everyone saying he's ordinary and wonder what all the fuss is about, he feels the pressure to impress. When he did it I had a gus gould no no no no no moment. I was expecting a solid smart kicking game a little better defensive effort and just a more direct attack going to the line. I know it was his 2nd game and it was the first game of the year but he left me underwhelmed. I guarantee if interviewed at seasons end he'll admit the hype affected him alot.

 

[foreveratiger]

I don't believe any player that says that. They may think they don't listen to the hype or it doesn't effect them but it does, the fact he's constantly answering questions about it itself means he's being affected by it whether he thinks he is or not. You can't tell me his performance in rd1 wasn't affected by hype and expectation. That chip kick for himself said it all for me it was an attempt by him to show everyone what he can do it was a desperate attempt to live up to the hype and expectation and it has put a sour taste in my mouth.That kick told me he's thinking he has to do something fancy to avoid everyone saying he's ordinary and wonder what all the fuss is about, he feels the pressure to impress. When he did it I had a gus gould no no no no no moment. I was expecting a solid smart kicking game a little better defensive effort and just a more direct attack going to the line. I know it was his 2nd game and it was the first game of the year but he left me underwhelmed. I guarantee if interviewed at seasons end he'll admit the hype affected him alot.

Yep you hit the nail on the head, of course he is reading papers if not he would of not spoken yesterday. All he needs to say " it's hard not to read the hype, but I'm just a kid trying to learn everything required to be a successful 1st grader ", and that it will take time.
FULLSTOP

 

[azsportza]

Channel 10 report on Luke Brooks yesterday – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82qZExUODss