mike
Well-known member
@ said:
Thought he had an alright game, some good things and some not so. Larry is right, time for a sit down and tell him how it is.
L Brooks
- Thread starter maxxy86
- Start date
Thought he had an alright game, some good things and some not so. Larry is right, time for a sit down and tell him how it is.
I agree with Larry's assessment . He did play well but see could have done a bit more. I am looking forward to Reynolds partnering him in the halves. I think they'll complement each other very well. Brooks structure will help Reynolds and Reynolds passion will help Brooks.
Two totally different halves. Unlike the Broses partnership
Two totally different halves. Unlike the Broses partnership
@ said:
I don't get why Brooks/Moses never worked, but it did not.
Brooks/Marshall and Brooks/Lolohea works. I am hoping that with an experienced 5/8 like Reynolds, Brooks will go well. But I wonder if Reynolds will play similarly to Moses. I think Reynolds will plug his gaps in defense but I don't know if he will suit him (hope he will).
The L and P plates are off Brooks. If he does not perform next year Brooks can become the next Daniel Mortimer. He does not need a "message" or a talking too, he knows we have signed Marshall and he knows that the Bench is his if he does not perform.
Marshall and Reynolds IMHO is a great halves combination.
Any dope could see he played well last night. ( well most anyway ). His defence has improved greatly as has his running. His passing game however needs big time work. His timeing is very much astray.
I do not think that he is a natural halfback. They are born, not created. Still, he is getting better, no doubt.
I do not think that he is a natural halfback. They are born, not created. Still, he is getting better, no doubt.
@ said:
Reading these posts I was beginning to think I was the only one who questioned Tui's ability to pass the ball properly. As for his kicking game, he has no strategy in his kicking at all - just boots it where ever. I know there's a lot of love for him here, and I agree, he has looked good at times, especially when he runs the ball and takes on the line, but he is no 5/8 for mine and I hope he can catch a high ball and cover tackle if he wants to hold the No.1 spot.
On Brooks last night - I too thought he had a solid game. The WTs have looked far better with him on the field than without. He is obviously still struggling with his hammies so he isn't running as much as he should be nor taking on the defence - once he gets over this problem with injury, he will only improve his overall game. His kicking game wasn't too bad and he is noticeably working on his game management. IMO he isn't our major concern for next year at all.
sideline_eye
New member
Luke is on a steady but not spectacular upward trend with his game management. Tui as his partner is obviously a fill in option for this season only and there has been no time to build a great combination but Tui is only 21 and I think he'll make a great fullback, although we need to give him time. Both of these players will benefit greatly from an off season under Ivan and I'll be interested to see their roles in what Ivan says will be a different style next year.
His last 2 months was a big improvement on the first half of the season. He played several very good games. Defense has improved but he will always have some issues there.
If he can work hard and improve his short kicking game and game management he will be very valuable to the team.
Re his short kicking game, he gets himself into a bad position too often. He's too square and that leaves Little room for the ball to get through the line. His first movements were better the last few weeks but it's obviously not something that comes naturally to him.
If he can work hard and improve his short kicking game and game management he will be very valuable to the team.
Re his short kicking game, he gets himself into a bad position too often. He's too square and that leaves Little room for the ball to get through the line. His first movements were better the last few weeks but it's obviously not something that comes naturally to him.
First and foremost Brooks has to get his body right .. needs to spend the off season repairing and making his hammys stronger he needs to apply himself in this regard not be lazy!I have pretty much made my accessmemt regarding him moving forward hopefully with a new partner things might change.
Masterton
Well-known member
@ said:
Considering Benji and Brooks have never played together in the halves, I'll reserve my judgement.
My favourite part of Brooks/Lola is Brooks' long passes getting Lola on the outside of his defender. It opens some nice space.
Pawsandclaws
New member
Brooks improved consistently throughout the year. I think this augers well for him next season.
People are way too harsh on him.
When he was partnered with Anasta he played well, going on to claim the Dally M Rookie of the Year (albeit it in a somewhat weak field). 2015 he was partnered with an even less experienced half. Moses then decided that he also wanted to be a dominant half, despite Brooks being told that he was the main playmaker/shot caller. So towards the end of 2015 and 2016 we had 2 halves that were trying to outrule each other on the field. This is why Tui and Luke work well together, Tui plays a running game while Brooks calls the shots.
I think Reynolds will work well with Brooks as Reynolds knows that he isn't a shot calling half. One thing I am worried about is that we seem to have 3 running halves (Reynolds, Gamble and Marshall) and only one proper halfback (Brooks).
When he was partnered with Anasta he played well, going on to claim the Dally M Rookie of the Year (albeit it in a somewhat weak field). 2015 he was partnered with an even less experienced half. Moses then decided that he also wanted to be a dominant half, despite Brooks being told that he was the main playmaker/shot caller. So towards the end of 2015 and 2016 we had 2 halves that were trying to outrule each other on the field. This is why Tui and Luke work well together, Tui plays a running game while Brooks calls the shots.
I think Reynolds will work well with Brooks as Reynolds knows that he isn't a shot calling half. One thing I am worried about is that we seem to have 3 running halves (Reynolds, Gamble and Marshall) and only one proper halfback (Brooks).
Coastie_Tiger
Well-known member
Obviously 2018 is make or break for Brooks he did play well the other night but he's still far too inconsistent. I think having Marshall not only mentor him but breathing down the back of his neck is going to be good for him, we will defiantly see what he's made of.
One thing is for certain we have multiple options next year which we didn't have last year, I think Ivan will use the pre season to gauge his first choice halves pairing it's up to Brooks to show he's in that mix.
Personally as someone mentioned above Daniel Mortimor I think he's in that category hope he proves me wrong though.
One thing is for certain we have multiple options next year which we didn't have last year, I think Ivan will use the pre season to gauge his first choice halves pairing it's up to Brooks to show he's in that mix.
Personally as someone mentioned above Daniel Mortimor I think he's in that category hope he proves me wrong though.
tsjonathan
New member
6\. Lolohea
7\. J Reynolds
7\. J Reynolds
jrtiger
Well-known member
@ said:
I'm curious as to why so many people believe this combo will work. No game management whatsoever, both players' biggest strength is their running and support games and both would have worse 5th tackle options than Brooksy. Our first grade halves pairing has to have either Brooks or Marshall in order for us to playing at the right end of the season. No offence intended TS, just my thoughts.
swag_tiger
Well-known member
@ said:
Trust in Ivan. :smiley:
JD Tiger
New member
@ said:
… Which is a good thing. In First Grade, he has never really had competition for his spot before. Now he will. Plus, he is off contract at end of 2019, and really, if he doesn't step up next year, then he will get dropped, and we're using Benji instead, then I suspect he may get shopped out at end of year and we source another halfback.
