Let’s hope we get the same chooks they did that day…
They were woeful
Jock Madden
- Thread starter king_sirro
- Start date
They were woeful
Look I’m not trying to hate on Madden either. He had a couple of good touches but it was pretty obvious when Hastings went off our attack fell flat. He is still a way off being a starter anywhere IMO.
People obviously can’t seperate their dislike of Brooks and it clouds their judgement of other players.
weststigerman
Well-known member
Madden is still a fair way from being a first choice half. However given how he has improved, I’d expect him to be that in 2024.
The question will be, much like Simpkin, is he willing to wait that long at WT?
I hope we can keep him but we don’t have many spots in our top 30 next year. Really need to move Liddle on.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
yeah they should run last so bereft of ideas only decent player they have is Burton
We are in a position a lot of clubs would love to be in, 4 quality halves competing for 2 spots, unfortunately due to other opportunities we won't be able to keep all four, ill probably ruffle a few feathers here, but I'd be holding onto brooks and madden, Hastings is a no brainer, id be shopping Douhie around, based on 2 knee reco,s he could be a liability
His best game for us. Not an anti-Brooks comment but looked a lot more confident and sharp paired with Hastings.
Madge
Well-known member
Everyone in the club looks more confident and sharp paired with Hastings. One of the most influential signings this club has made since it's inception.
jirskyr
Well-known member
I don't see it with Madden. I just don't think he's a threat. Kicking poor, passing ordinary, does not worry the defence.
Yeah he scored off a chip but that's a 1/100 solo play requiring only a good bounce, not 80 mins of game mgmt.
I am not convinced we have seen Brooks' ceiling. If we can all agree that Hastings is a good organiser and ideal #7 for us, he and Brooks have only played together 6 times, including the first few rounds where they needed time to gel. With Hastings at #7, only starting 6 rounds ago, we've won 3/6, with Brooks at #6 for two of those against higher-ranked sides.
I think Brooks should be afforded a proper run of finally having a decent reliable halves partner. Brooks has never been a game manager / organiser / team-calmer type, nor is he a natural leader, but now we have that guy (Hastings) who can play that role, and allow Brooks to do what he does best - threaten the line and produce unpredictable play.
Madden on the other hand, for me, only offers a cut-price version of what Hastings already does. I don't think you really want two similar "game manager" type players.
I hope Jock proves me wrong, and maybe it is just a matter of time and persistence. It did seem, from Madge's reaction in the press conference, that he likes Jock and wants him to be part of the side.
jirskyr
Well-known member
JMK was a threat last night, but perhaps only because we were lazy around the ruck.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
Demps, Hobbo, Spartan et al would be spraying him anyway even if he played well and was on significantly less than the gestimates thrown about on the forum by the Brooks' posse.
Chicken_Faced_Killa
Well-known member
Hastings is a natural leader in the halves and takes the pressure off his partner. Both Brooks and Madden have looked better alongside him.
Jedi I always appreciate your input in discussions,we all have differing opinions on many subjects...
Lets look at this as it should be looked at....
Brooks ...highly paid halfback with 180 NRL games..he should have great stats each week..
Douhie....praised for being great 5/8 and is known as the KING...still on the sidelines after second knee reconstruction...
Madden ROOKIE playmaker filling in as 3rd string 8/9 NRL games...his stats are brilliant,but is learning and improving every week....therein lies the big difference between the 3 players....
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
if Brooks takes a haircut you keep him to partner Hastings, the guy is a running 6 with speed
Douhie I think is a ball playing lock in the team if he can get through some defence he is our Isaiah Yeo
earl
Well-known member
I agree with this. I think the right decision for Madden is to leave. I reckon it's our loss but maybe it's just not the right time for Madden here.
He has impressed me though. Same as Tupou. Two players I didn't think had anything.
mike
Well-known member
Same thing happens to Brooks when Hastings is not there.
People obviously can’t seperate their love of Brooks and it clouds their judgement of other players.
aturkey
Well-known member
The fact that people in this forum are still willing to give Brooks a chance after 8 years, with this fairy tale reason that he's never had a proper run cause of miscoaching, is absolutely mental. If he was good enough, he would have proven himself already. It would have been OBVIOUS where to play him. But since he's average and ineffective, cannot kick and barely dents the line, no one has ever known what to do with him because there isn't anything you can do. He's just not that good. The moment this club lets him go of Brooks will be one of the most important days in the clubs history.
Also for the Brooks fans: Madden and Brooks are both average. Madden is Brooks 2.0. Our best halves are Doueihi and Hastings. It's so obvious.
Also for the Brooks fans: Madden and Brooks are both average. Madden is Brooks 2.0. Our best halves are Doueihi and Hastings. It's so obvious.
It is very funny that Brooks lives in people's heads for free..
