Luke Brooks #167

[Snidest 0]

Yep, Cleary summed up the strengths of the Panthers players and hit the road to Penrith.

After bringing in busted players like Packer - Reynolds - Matulino - because he had zero pull in the market to get us anything better!

 

[twentyforty]

Try to find any of Billy's loose feet incidents on the net since Channel 9 & his associated interests somehow managed to sanitise Youtube etc!!

He literally led to a rule change after leading with his feet at players heads/hands who were already over the try line on multiple occasions - and some of his karate kicks to the heads of chasers while jumping for a bomb were Bruce Lee shit!

He was a competitor - but took it too far when lashing out with his boots!

What he did to Skando was beneath a low act!!

Seriously - I challenge anyone to find some of his worst moments online - Channel 9 and the NRL have done their best to erase the memories!!

 

[Snidest 0]

Where is the Skando kick?

Where are the sliding kicks?

 

[BAGNF05]

Why re-sign him now?
Brooks would be currently at his lowest value, so signing him now would have the least impact on our cap.
If the club's power brokers believe he can produce quality football in an improved side nit would make sense to extend him it before he can showcase this to other potential suitors. Additionally, one can look at the other options likely to become available and assess if there likely will be a better alternative. If they do not believe there will be then again signing him now would make sense.
As for what has he done? I guess you will think all evidence would be 'fanboy b.s.' but I read this on another site today.
"And yet: if you factor in the meagre amount of ball he gets compared to other halves, his return is actually pretty good. His try assists are middle of the road, but when you factor in that the Wests Tigers are far from middle of the pack, it’s probably an overperformance. His linebreak assists are elite, suggesting that he’s putting blokes through gaps, but they aren’t capitalising on it.

His per possession creativity numbers are better than Sam Walker’s, as are his line engagements and his attacking kicks too. Difference is that Walker passes them to someone good, and Brooks doesn’t.

This isn’t a knock on Walker, by the way, but a reflection of a similar, rated player who flits between 6 and 7 but in a different, better team. Context is everything."

Walker passes to several of the best players in the world. Brooks passes to well, nobodies. But it’s all his fault 😂 Sheens in the media today called out the Brooksy bullies and said the crap about a #7 being the controlling player is codswallop. It’s no longer 1993, the game is won by elite talent, not a little bloke telling everyone what to do.

 

[clontarfkid]

Despite sitting very much on the opposite side of the Brooks debate to yourself CK I actually agree with a lot of this.
I also don't think Brooks was significantly better in 2018 than other years. I wouldn't go as far as saying the award was 'tainted'. But agree he wasn't the best 7 (or even close to) in the comp that (or any) year.
I don't understand why his Dally M is so heavily debated. The Dally M system regularly throws out surprise recipients. Importantly though no-one gets them after playing bad, footy, even if they weren't the best. On this point alone can't we Lol agree that he was playing well in 2018 if not at an elite level? Do any Brooks supporters (obviously not directed at you CK) actually believe he was the best 7 that season?

And agree, he is not an elite halfback. Most likely never will be.
My main point of contention is that I think he is still a quality enough halfback that can take a strong side deep into finals. He has just never had a strong side.

Not seeing the vision,nor the line breaking capability ,nor the playmakng abilitities for Brooks to become an elite no7
He is a solid defender,but thats not his main job
These are simple facts
The proposition that Sheens needs to "protect"a 28yo 10 season veteran is embarrasing for both
Brooks certainly deteriorated under Madge,but has a fresh start ..yet again..this year so we'll know around May/June whether Sheens emotional outburst and personal investment in Brooks reaps dividends
Please dont re-sign him Tim just to prove yr loyalty until Brooks starts delivering..we're way past the "has potential" 'stage and more of the same this season means we must look elsewhere

 

[gregjm87]

Not seeing the vision,nor the line breaking capability ,nor the playmakng abilitities for Brooks to become an elite no7
He is a solid defender,but thats not his main job
These are simple facts
The proposition that Sheens needs to "protect"a 28yo 10 season veteran is embarrasing for both
Brooks certainly deteriorated under Madge,but has a fresh start ..yet again..this year so we'll know around May/June whether Sheens emotional outburst and personal investment in Brooks reaps dividends
Please dont re-sign him Tim just to prove yr loyalty until Brooks starts delivering..we're way past the "has potential" 'stage and more of the same this season means we must look elsewhere

Im not claiming he can or will become an elite no7. Not sure how you think I'm suggesting he will be when my post had the quote "agree, he is not an elite halfback. Most likely never will be"
I do however see him show plenty of playmaking ability. Some do, some don't. Happy to disagree, though statistically he is better than average.
Finally, agree Sheens should definitely not re-sign him simply to prove some loyalty. As always, should he be offered an extension or not should primarily be determined by a combination of perceived abilities, contract value and alternate options amongst other lesser factors.

 

[patwalker]

Cam Smith trying to claim it was an accident. That'll do me. I genuinely believe there has never been a player do more damage to the game of rugby league than that clown. Grub of the highest order, and whats worse is that he was a good enough player to not need to be a grub but chose to anyway.

 

[Telltails]

Walker passes to several of the best players in the world. Brooks passes to well, nobodies. But it’s all his fault 😂 Sheens in the media today called out the Brooksy bullies and said the crap about a #7 being the controlling player is codswallop. It’s no longer 1993, the game is won by elite talent, not a little bloke telling everyone what to do.

You reckon Cleary, Hughes, DCE, Reynolds, Hynes, Townsend, are not leading their teams and controlling attacking decisions and plays? Our problems have have been far more reaching than Brooks but there is a reason the 7 commands the big dollars. If they were not integral to a teams success they wouldn't be in such high demand and Brooks wouldn't be copping the criticism. Sheens has just thrown 1.4 at a 7 to address the problem.

 

[loklok]

You reckon Cleary, Hughes, DCE, Reynolds, Hynes, Townsend, are not leading their teams and controlling attacking decisions and plays? Our problems have have been far more reaching than Brooks but there is a reason the 7 commands the big dollars. If they were not integral to a teams success they wouldn't be in such high demand and Brooks wouldn't be copping the criticism. Sheens has just thrown 1.4 at a 7 to address the problem.

Good post

 

[hank37w]

Where is the Skando kick?

Where are the sliding kicks?

Cleaned up by the sanitation department.

 

[hank37w]

Walker passes to several of the best players in the world. Brooks passes to well, nobodies. But it’s all his fault 😂 Sheens in the media today called out the Brooksy bullies and said the crap about a #7 being the controlling player is codswallop. It’s no longer 1993, the game is won by elite talent, not a little bloke telling everyone what to do.

The Sheenius could be onto something there.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Walker passes to several of the best players in the world. Brooks passes to well, nobodies. But it’s all his fault 😂 Sheens in the media today called out the Brooksy bullies and said the crap about a #7 being the controlling player is codswallop. It’s no longer 1993, the game is won by elite talent, not a little bloke telling everyone what to do.

This is the link to the article to which you refer.

‘Element of bullying’: Sheens launches impassioned defence of Brooks

The Wests Tigers coach also has high hopes for a young fullback “who will come out of nowhere”.

www.smh.com.au

“Expectations are always on your pivots, but to say the No. 7 controls the game is so much codswallop it’s not funny. The spine controls the game.

“Luke could run a bit more and be a bit greedier. He passes regularly and kicks for try assists, but nobody counts that. He can run and have that show-and-go, which Benji and I are on to him about that, and he’s happy to do that.”

And the bullying. After I posted that message yesterday, we can read the posters who replied. In the ADF, behaviour like that was always referred to as dumb insolence. More than appropriate in this case.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has thrown his support behind perennial punching bag Luke Brooks and said: “There’s an element of bullying when it comes to him, and from our own people.”

 

[BAGNF05]

You reckon Cleary, Hughes, DCE, Reynolds, Hynes, Townsend, are not leading their teams and controlling attacking decisions and plays? Our problems have have been far more reaching than Brooks but there is a reason the 7 commands the big dollars. If they were not integral to a teams success they wouldn't be in such high demand and Brooks wouldn't be copping the criticism. Sheens has just thrown 1.4 at a 7 to address the problem.

The #7 touches the ball more than anyone other than the hooker, so yes they generally earn more and they are instrumental in the game plan. What they do with the ball though is distribute it to 16 other players who all have an equal say in what happens next. I’ve played the position. How much time you have to execute plays and what your teammates do with their opportunities is outside of your control. You can’t judge a #7 on wins and losses if they’re on a bad team. Particularly when defense is a major issue. The bookies have had us as favourites or near favourites for the spoon for years and it’s not due to Brooks, we couldn’t recruit a fat kid to a lolly shop. Brooks is not a superstar but he’s a first grade footballer who earns too much, but that’s not his fault either. The administration of our footy team and inability to assemble a competitive roster is where our problems lie.

 

[earl]

Expectations are always on your pivots, but to say the No. 7 controls the game is so much codswallop it’s not funny. The spine controls the game.

I feel this is the whole issue in relation to Brooks. The expectations on him are too high.

 

[Telltails]

The spine control the game, the forwards lay the platform, the wingers finish off, defence wins matches - heard it all before it doesn't undervalue the importance of your 7 if you want to succeed no matter what Sheens and every other person who has entered into one of these discussions about Brooks and his career to date says.
Sheens/ club have done their best to address some of the weaknesses No excuses for Brooks or Douehi they either have what it takes to improve our position on the back of it or they don't.

 

[earl]

Sheens/ club have done their best to address some of the weaknesses No excuses for Brooks or Douehi they either have what it takes to improve our position on the back of it or they don't.

I agree with this. I think we have massive issues in the spine. I don't think we have above average halves or a fullback. We have a proven hooker but the rest are below par.

I don't see Brooks as the issue at all. I see Brooks, Doueihi and Laurie as the issue. We need those positions fixed. I said last year it would be good to have our halves sorted but we let the best performer of the bunch of them go. That doesn't mean that Hastings was good enough either.

 

[cktiger]

Same interview Sheens says Brooks was Dally M halfback ‘3 years ago… no maybe 4’.
It was 5 years ago Tim… where have you been again? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Rusty]

I agree with this. I think we have massive issues in the spine. I don't think we have above average halves or a fullback. We have a proven hooker but the rest are below par.

I don't see Brooks as the issue at all. I see Brooks, Doueihi and Laurie as the issue. We need those positions fixed. I said last year it would be good to have our halves sorted but we let the best performer of the bunch of them go. That doesn't mean that Hastings was good enough either.

its not under 10's

Key word here for the half or anyone cant do it by themself, for me is simply THREAT who has been our threat with the ball in hand. Brooksy over the last years / career has been identifed as our biggest threat and been dealt with accordingly by other teams defence. Whether it's coaching or he himself hasn't the footy IQ to resovle this. Which ever it is he alone has dug a hole that fans are to willing to fill up.

This year, Sheens has patted Brooksy on the head and has loaded up the playpen with new toys for him to play with and only time will tell if he can become the footy player he should be or will he sit in the corner and watch re-runs of his debut against St George and check his bank balance.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

its not under 10's

Key word here for the half or anyone cant do it by himself, for me is simply THREAT who has been our threat with the ball in hand. Brooksy over the last years / career has been identifed as our biggest threat and been dealt with accordingly by other teams defence. Whether it's coaching or he himself hasn't the footy IQ to resovle this. Which ever it is he alone has dug a hole that fans are to willing to fill up.

This year, Sheens has patted Brooksy on the head and has loaded up the playpen with new toys for him to play with and only time will tell if he can become the footy player he should be or will he sit in the corner and watch re-runs of his debut against St George and check his bank balance.

He alone hasn’t dug a hole…..

 

[cktiger]

He alone hasn’t dug a hole…..

He sure hasn’t done anything yet to fill it up though.
Unless Sheens runs him wider of the ruck with someone else directing play I can’t see him doing it.
We all wait in hope…. justified of not.