Downtotigertown83
New member
No doubt he is all class and full of talent… my only gripe was that we may have brought him in too young. Just hope he doesn't burn out.
Just how good is Luke Brooks?
- Thread starter MacDougall
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He's coming along fairly well IMO - could be better, could be worse.
His kicking game is of concern to me, especially when in the opposition 20\. Once he can get his attacking kicking game flowing, we'll be laughing.
As per an earlier post, still far too many unforced errors in his game too. Given he's coming into his third season, about time these were wiped out.
His kicking game is of concern to me, especially when in the opposition 20\. Once he can get his attacking kicking game flowing, we'll be laughing.
As per an earlier post, still far too many unforced errors in his game too. Given he's coming into his third season, about time these were wiped out.
balmain boy
Well-known member
I posted a similar discussion several months back, and yeah its not all the doom and gloom that some have made it out to be. Even when you add missed tackles (and you must) most of the top 10 are all halves, older than brooks and moses, and are playing in stronger teams so the comparisons are really blown way out of proportion.
The other thing to consider is coaching. I don't want to turn this into another Taylor bashing thread by any means, but they way a player is instructed to play will always have an impact on his performances and stats.
In NYC Brooks was kicking 40/20s and pinning the opposition down the other end of the field a lot more than he was last year. I think his natural instincts and his coaches instructions have left him in a hesitant state, where he's confused whether to follow his gut or his coach. Obviously if any player at any club repeatedly ignores the instructions of your coach it won't bode well for their future at that club.
Without having an experienced half to help him determine when to follow his instincts and when to follow his coach (and put up a midfield bomb for example) it end up leaving him a bit out of sync and constantly questioning his decisions before he's even made them means he more likely to make more errors.
Having much stronger defensive and communicative back row options this season will help, although all our centres apart from Simona still have big issues with defence.
The other thing to consider is coaching. I don't want to turn this into another Taylor bashing thread by any means, but they way a player is instructed to play will always have an impact on his performances and stats.
In NYC Brooks was kicking 40/20s and pinning the opposition down the other end of the field a lot more than he was last year. I think his natural instincts and his coaches instructions have left him in a hesitant state, where he's confused whether to follow his gut or his coach. Obviously if any player at any club repeatedly ignores the instructions of your coach it won't bode well for their future at that club.
Without having an experienced half to help him determine when to follow his instincts and when to follow his coach (and put up a midfield bomb for example) it end up leaving him a bit out of sync and constantly questioning his decisions before he's even made them means he more likely to make more errors.
Having much stronger defensive and communicative back row options this season will help, although all our centres apart from Simona still have big issues with defence.
supercoach
Well-known member
Like a previous poster I am not concerned about his defence, that will get better especially now the club has bolstered the forwards with the likes of Edwards. My concern is his kicking game, all great no7 must have a clever short kicking game and a effective long kicking game. Up to now its been all over the place, from brilliant to complete rubbish, but i am willing to put that down to youth,although the youth get out of jail free card will be spent by the end of 2016
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Its a make or break yr for him this yr, as it is for Moses and Siro. Enough is enough with the hype, its time to live up to it. All 3 have shown glimpses, but none have been consistent. If they don't make inroads this yr, then its time the club seriously re-evaluates if this investment is worth it.
Brooks is a Star, I wouldnt trade him or the rest of our young spine (Brooks, Moses, Cherry and Teddy)
greatodensraven
New member
Sure he needs to work on his defence, kicking game & cut down his errors but I agree with most in that he is doing well considering he's learning his trade on the run. Give him a dominant forward pack to work behind & I believe he'll play more consistently like his debut.
greatodensraven
New member
On another note. Imagine the carnage Teddy would create behind a consistently dominant forward pack & halves! Hope it all comes together for them.
foreveratiger
New member
Great post Mac. Those stats a quite impressive when you think about what sort of Forward pack he has had.
I'm hoping that Jason Taylor has worked out what Brooks natural game is all about cause for that reason Brooks stalled under some of JT game plan this year IMO.
Potter had him firing in 2014 then come Round 13 that year injuries killed us.
I watched alot of Brooks in Holden Cup and gee he had class all over him, it was easy to understand the hype and pressure he would of had on his shoulders coming into 1st Grade.
There is no doubt that he needs our Forwards making inroads and to make our opposition defence back peddle so it gives him more time to play his natural game.
Brooks, Moses, Tedesco, Cherrington have class…..all it needs is a Coach that knows a game plan that will bring out the best of our future spine.
To attract good purchases for 2017 they need to fire to help our cause.
Fingers crossed.
I'm hoping that Jason Taylor has worked out what Brooks natural game is all about cause for that reason Brooks stalled under some of JT game plan this year IMO.
Potter had him firing in 2014 then come Round 13 that year injuries killed us.
I watched alot of Brooks in Holden Cup and gee he had class all over him, it was easy to understand the hype and pressure he would of had on his shoulders coming into 1st Grade.
There is no doubt that he needs our Forwards making inroads and to make our opposition defence back peddle so it gives him more time to play his natural game.
Brooks, Moses, Tedesco, Cherrington have class…..all it needs is a Coach that knows a game plan that will bring out the best of our future spine.
To attract good purchases for 2017 they need to fire to help our cause.
Fingers crossed.
MacDougall
New member
@GNR4LIFE said:
I disagree. We are on a hiding to nothing this year. He'll tread water until he has a good side around him.
I think you need to look at where the other halves were at his age in 2015
Daly Cherry Evans - Still 2 years away from a FG debut
Ben Hunt- 1st season of FG as a bench hooker, 4 yrs till he made any real impression in the halves
Shaun Johnson - 1st year in FG and didn't make his debut until rd 13
JT - 2nd yr of FG playing off the bench behind Sherwin and Anasta still considered too small
So for Brooks to be leading his team around the park in the NRL at only 20 in his second year (which is always harder then the first) is amazing
Given that I think he will be a star
Daly Cherry Evans - Still 2 years away from a FG debut
Ben Hunt- 1st season of FG as a bench hooker, 4 yrs till he made any real impression in the halves
Shaun Johnson - 1st year in FG and didn't make his debut until rd 13
JT - 2nd yr of FG playing off the bench behind Sherwin and Anasta still considered too small
So for Brooks to be leading his team around the park in the NRL at only 20 in his second year (which is always harder then the first) is amazing
Given that I think he will be a star
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
Time is very importanti and particularly to halves. Obviously as others have stated, when the pigs perform a bit of extra space (time) is created for them to perform. Sadly WT have been poor at wrestling at a time when it has been allowed to dominate the game, but our forwards have also been a step behind most opposition packs in attack due to relatively poor service.
The more time that Mania or another spend at dummy half the more the opposition will be a further step away as our attackers get the ball, giving our pigs an extra metre or so of space each play and thus allowing Brooks and co that much needed time. Sure, we will miss a bit of occasional flashy play and the odd good kick, but for mine allowing the pigs and Brooks extra time to take control as a result of simply passing off the ground will be much more beneficial to the side.
The more time that Mania or another spend at dummy half the more the opposition will be a further step away as our attackers get the ball, giving our pigs an extra metre or so of space each play and thus allowing Brooks and co that much needed time. Sure, we will miss a bit of occasional flashy play and the odd good kick, but for mine allowing the pigs and Brooks extra time to take control as a result of simply passing off the ground will be much more beneficial to the side.
Brooks will have to have a very good off season,the hype surrounding him coming into last season was incredible considering his youth and inexperience at top NRL level…having said that,if he can produce his great form as a half back in NYC and defend a little better,this year could be awesome for him,especially if JT can get him to take control of the game and be the playmaker he is renowned to be...all the young guys will be better for their year just gone,I'm sure most will surprise us with their improvement...
Time and patients....just hope we don't run out of them.....
Time and patients....just hope we don't run out of them.....
100% agree macdougall
i did a very similar analysis in a very different way where i examined when modern nrl halves start consistently playing first grade and found the avg age is around 21\. of the people i looked at (all at the very least dally M 5/8s and halfbacks) and none of them had another rookie half with them at the time while playing in a basketcase like this club.
which means i think 2016-17 would be a very good time to properly have a look at both halves. assuming of course that we make at least some improvements in our pack and outside backs and finish outside of the bottom 2 or 3.
i did a very similar analysis in a very different way where i examined when modern nrl halves start consistently playing first grade and found the avg age is around 21\. of the people i looked at (all at the very least dally M 5/8s and halfbacks) and none of them had another rookie half with them at the time while playing in a basketcase like this club.
which means i think 2016-17 would be a very good time to properly have a look at both halves. assuming of course that we make at least some improvements in our pack and outside backs and finish outside of the bottom 2 or 3.
jirskyr
Well-known member
I was pleased to see Brooks test his running game a lot more in the back half of 2015\. For me, that is the key to him playing good consistent footy, to get confidence in backing himself and balancing when to pass and when to run.
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