Jackson Hastings #251

[watersider]

This forum depends too much on wins and losses as a measure of a player's performance. Now it's unfair to criticise Brooks when two weeks ago we were setting up petitions and boycott movements if he was picked again? We need to be more measured. Similar things with Laurie. He started season badly and people wanted him gone. But if anyone has benefited from the return of Hastings, it's been Laurie, he looked in career best form the last two weeks. A genuine star fullback.

Brooks is much better in his new role, but that short ball bullet pass he threw to cause a knock on was terrible. Souths went onto score with a man down and took a 10-6 lead. It felt too familiar, an absolute momentum killer and is, unfortunately, a bit too common in Brooks' play. I've liked his play but I agree with Earl that he still needs to improve. Hastings had a few dodgy passes too, none of which resulted in errors, but given our entire attacking structure seems to now depend on him, these two players serve different roles and you place different expectations on them. Brooks has a simple role now, he needs to execute better.

I'm not against Brooks, it's only this season I've felt he should be moved on, arguing that until we find a better option he's the best we have, so I'm pleased to see him look much better these last few weeks and it'd be brilliant if he continues to play well. But I still think it's okay to be critical.

 

[watersider]

Also, I love how every thread becomes a Brooks thread eventually.

 

[batboy]

This here is the issue with Brooks. He isn't that bad but he also isn't that good. He also plays in a critical position so he can be the focus of criticism.

I think you'd be nuts to extend dependent on dollars because this season it's up to the 3 of them to prove who our best choice halves are. Doueihi wants the 6 spot. Is he better than Brooks ? I think so but he isn't as complete a player as Brooks is right now either.

To me Hastings should be 7 and we can punt on him for a couple more years.

Doueihi and Brooks need to prove themselves and not necessarily where they want to play.

We've had 2 really close wins this season.

I think I may have taken over from GNR as the negative nelly/nancy on here.

My point is - I can see Brooks playing in the halves for as long as he's in the game
(Here or at another club)
I don't see Doueihi playing in the halves for much longer (If at all) - Anywhere....

Does anyone seriously think he's a career half?
Surely not - Slow as a wet week, Too big, Not mobile enough...
Even look at his tries - They're mostly barge over, something in the air etc.

If he could tackle - He'd be in the back row already...
He can fill in at half - And has some ball playing....

There a long, long line of blokes in the NRL that came through as a half (Like most talented kids) That think they're a half, That start as a half in the NRL.... In this era or the ones before - They all end up in the same place.... And it isn't in the halves.

 

[JC99]

What a player is paid generally, is linked to what the market is prepared to pay for him. For WTs with our challenges in attracting decent players, paying our own players a little more to stay when there is the lure of playing for a stronger club is unfortunately a reality.

No one else would've paid what we did for him. He's getting close to a million dollars a year, our top paid player who was expected to be a star halfback

It's not his fault he got offered that, just absolutely terrible decision making from the club

 

[batboy]

Aside from the length and the value of his contract, There were many other reasons for this deferment, but firstly i should say, Brooks is truly a solid reliable strong athlete and he is very much liked at the club for his unwavering showings of dedication and loyalty,

and since his debut he has proven and remained to be a person with a good moral character,

Brooks was shifted to the number 6 when Benji was still playing but then the coach saw that nothing was to be gained from trying that again.

And we had no one to try this with again,
Until Hastings arrived, now this halfback is a professional in everything he says and does, Hastings is a true champion halfback.

The thing is - We've never had that on field leader in the Halves - Not like Hastings....
(Maybe outside Field and Prince - Even then, Prince wasn't a barker so much)
He's bought some Footy IQ on field - We've not had that.

We've always been that side that just make some magic happen and sometimes it got us over the line... To the point it's all we've had for almost 20 years...
When the team gets older, and the magic runs out - You have to learn to play the game....

Hopefully, that's not that far off.

 

[JC99]

Douhie is the best one, the bloke is out injured and plenty o here have him walking on after and demanding he goes back to 6 and walk up start and captain etc
Brooks who is currently in the thick of it winning games and building with Hastings.
Plenty on here were death riding Brooks he is not a 7 he is a running 6 that is where he needs to play.
As a club we need to be fitting Douhie Brooks and Hastings into the team not getting rid of one of them

Doueihi will clearly take time to find his feet again but he's a better 6 than Brooks is at his best

We've got 3 blokes trying to fit into two spots. Let's see if the club can make the right decisions and not repeat past mistakes

 

[JC99]

Anyway I'm glad Hastings is backing Brooks, that's what good team mates do. He also seems to be very keen to play alongside Doueihi and hopefully he gets the chance to at some point this season

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Doueihi will clearly take time to find his feet again but he's a better 6 than Brooks is at his best

We've got 3 blokes trying to fit into two spots. Let's see if the club can make the right decisions and not repeat past mistakes

Douhie is either a centre of lock in tigers team, too slow for halves.
I reckon if we dont play him at 6 Bennett may come calling at Dolphins
2 knee injuries we would be crazy to move Brooks on who complements Hastings to accommodate Douhie at 6
If Douhie wants to have a crack at 13 or centre then go for it he could make a great lock

 

[Tiger Woods]

AD is 4 years younger than brooks
I’m sure the club will also take this into account when making their decisions

 

[Lauren]

Brooks has been instrumental in both our wins whether anyone likes him in our future plans or not.
He's taking the initiative to make changes in his game day approach - persisting with trying or moving away from what doesn't work. But it's early in his partnership with Hastings and looks very promising IMO with more growth only expected.
Both are highly invested in bringing the best out of each other and the team, so why keep pushing negative opinions about him onto others because you can't move on from 1 or 2 poor passes he made. No one played perfect.
What a way to choose to spend your time supporting the team. Yet again focusing on one player.

Agree Hastings should be extended ASAP as he's what the team needs. He's a fighter in every sense of the word. He's really helped build trust and confidence in the team, but more importantly is reinforcing the standards Madge and supporters would always like to see.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

AD is 4 years younger than brooks
I’m sure the club will also take this into account when making their decisions

His injury history and time off the field may also be a consideration,

 

[earl]

If Brooks is offered another contract here I have no doubt it'll be heavily reduced

People bang on about whatever salary he's on but the truth is during negotiations he was coming off his Dally M year ... in one of the most important positions on the field. Yes he hasn't lived up to those expectations since, but neither has most of our squad.

I don't pay any attention to the stories about his salary. He has given us good value. He is robust. How many games does he miss ? He is consistently one of our best players over the course of the season. I've heard salary information from 550k to 1 mill.

I assume he gets another contract somewhere. I also assume we wouldn't pay overs. It'd be great if he stayed and we turned into a winning club.

 

[batboy]

No one else would've paid what we did for him. He's getting close to a million dollars a year, our top paid player who was expected to be a star halfback

It's not his fault he got offered that, just absolutely terrible decision making from the club

Or he took a haircut for the first 2 years of it so we could pay McQueen, Matulino, Mbye, Reynolds, Packer... And is now getting what he was owed.
He was extended under contract at the time - Id almost bet that was the reason....
3.5mil of cap space taken for 3+ Years, What we get in return... Mbye and 20-30 games between the other 4?

 

[earl]

We've got 3 blokes trying to fit into two spots.

It depends how you look at it. There isn't a lot of talent in the league right now and an additional team is coming into the comp. Those 3 guys can clearly play. Can you fit them into the salary cap somehow ?

I assume we can.

Hastings has played fullback and he is at dummy half all the time. Brooks can play 7 and 6 and maybe he'd be a good fullback. His defense is good, he can catch a bomb and if he gets into some space he scores.

Doueihi when on the park has consistently been our best player. Laurie and Brooks played more games than him last year and hence they were better to us over the course of the season. That was just due to more games played.

We need to somehow develop a quality team and win games. The market is pretty ordinary as well.

We need to make the right decisions.

 

[Needaname]

he went Salford to Wigan
that is like going tigers to storm

I am curious about why he made that decision.
Thankfully most of the other clubs have high profile halfback or have backed their youth.

 

[Bigscreentv]

Hastings need to be signed longer-term for more money. Might be too early now, but I think he will stay.

I think Deouehi could play lock or centre, but actually think Talau would also make a good lock. People forget he was a 5/8. Talau will be a different player on a team playing with confidence, as will Brooks.

 

[BAGNF05]

I'm not saying he's been bad, I think saying we have the best halves combo in the competition is over the top haha

He found the grass with at least 5 passes against Souths and Eels but he did throw some nice ones too. He's been solid, still not living up to his price tag.

Yes we don’t have the best halves in the Comp and I can’t deny he’s still being overpaid, that’s not his fault though.

We keep winning and the knockers will start to see that he wasn’t the problem.

 

[Tiger-ferret]

We resurrected his NRL career I reckon he would remain loyal that's the impression I get from him

I tend to agree. It’s not just about money for him. As long as tigers are fair with their offers and he’s enjoying his footy I reckon he’ll stick around to build a legacy. Very rare these days.

 

[BAGNF05]

I tend to agree. It’s not just about money for him. As long as tigers are fair with their offers and he’s enjoying his footy I reckon he’ll stick around to build a legacy. Very rare these days.

If roosters move off walker and want Hastings back we’d be long odds to keep him imo

 

[stryker 69]

If roosters move off walker and want Hastings back we’d be long odds to keep him imo

Wasnt there bad blood at Bondi when he left them?