Luke Brooks - Mega Thread

[Glenji95]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

 

[Glenji95]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

Well like I said 22 he’s got to step up majorly he’s really got to take control of the team like most halves do let’s be honest we have shown lots of loyalty and faith to him but hasn’t repaid that yet 22 has to be the year that Brooks at least steps up we might not make finals but we need to see that Brooks has the capability of potentially leading us there if he can play consistent good footy most of the year than everyone will start to slowly back off not just one good game then and there

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

Well like I said 22 he’s got to step up majorly he’s really got to take control of the team like most halves do let’s be honest we have shown lots of loyalty and faith to him but hasn’t repaid that yet **22 has to be the year that Brooks at least steps up we might not make finals** but we need to see that Brooks has the capability of potentially leading us there if he can play consistent good footy most of the year than everyone will start to slowly back off not just one good game then and there

We haven’t made finals for a decade so what’s one more year. Plus there have been years that he has stood up yet we have still missed the finals. His mates need to step up too.

 

[Glenji95]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

Well like I said 22 he’s got to step up majorly he’s really got to take control of the team like most halves do let’s be honest we have shown lots of loyalty and faith to him but hasn’t repaid that yet **22 has to be the year that Brooks at least steps up we might not make finals** but we need to see that Brooks has the capability of potentially leading us there if he can play consistent good footy most of the year than everyone will start to slowly back off not just one good game then and there

We haven’t made finals for a decade so what’s one more year. Plus there have been years that he has stood up yet we have still missed the finals. His mates need to step up too.

Everyone has got to play good footy but Brooks really has got to take charge you can see that without no Benji or Robbie helping us how we struggled to lead in attack we need to see something from him big time he needs to step up and lead but everyone has got to play their part

 

[earl]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

This could definitely happen. I can see Brooks being released because I think another club will want him.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I yearn for a clever ball playing half of the onfield calibre of Percy Knight, Paul Davis or Robert Lui. Perhaps the very good young half we acquired from the Illawarra can step up. The game has really lost touch with the ball playing skills of our great indigenous players.

 

[Krammy]

We need to keep Brooks!
And we need to increase our threats, which is hopefully what we’ve been doing with the likes of Hastings and Peachey.
Brooks handles the ball too often, in a team which had become predictable. And for crying out loud, get some shape and structure in our backline!

I don't think the predictable nature of our attack last year is stressed enough. Gameplan??? good in theory, but not if it places shackles on players. There seems to be some fresh air this year, with new assistant coaches, new players and the return of Sheens. Let's hope we see a revamped attacking style in 22.

 

[stryker 69]

I yearn for a clever ball playing half of the onfield calibre of Percy Knight, Paul Davis or Robert Lui. Perhaps the very good young half we acquired from the Illawarra can step up. The game has really lost touch with the ball playing skills of our great indigenous players.

Yes but it’s not just limited to the indigenous footballers. It’s highly skilled ball playing footballers fullstop.
100% due to the over saturation of the NRL by Polynesian players.

 

[Tim Sheens]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

Well like I said 22 he’s got to step up majorly he’s really got to take control of the team like most halves do let’s be honest we have shown lots of loyalty and faith to him but hasn’t repaid that yet **22 has to be the year that Brooks at least steps up we might not make finals** but we need to see that Brooks has the capability of potentially leading us there if he can play consistent good footy most of the year than everyone will start to slowly back off not just one good game then and there

We haven’t made finals for a decade so what’s one more year. Plus there have been years that he has stood up yet we have still missed the finals. His mates need to step up too.

Everyone has got to play good footy but Brooks really has got to take charge you can see that without no Benji or Robbie helping us how we struggled to lead in attack we need to see something from him big time he needs to step up and lead but everyone has got to play their part

Blaming all our attacking woes on Brooks is a fallacy for mine, given that WT only scored 1 less point per game on average last year compared with 2020. The 5 additional points and 115m run metres conceded on average in 2021 were much more of a problem, with 149 worse off F/A between those years (65 and 214 in 4 additional matches due to covid) as a result. WT scored less on average in both the 2018/19 seasons, but hard to compare pre and post covid statistics.

I will though not argue with the Benji bit on producing points, which can be clearly identified by both performance and try scoring on the right edge in 2020. Lucy getting put over often and Nofoaluma was in great attacking form outside Marshall, being leading try scorer going into the final rounds before Johnston ran amok with 5 in a game and Feldt got his hat-trick as well.

To balance that a little, Doueihi did get one more try assist than Brooks last year in less matches and crossed the stripe more himself as part of a mainly fresh spine. Let us see what effect Hastings has and go from there, but don't expect that Brooks will not have the ball in his hands more than any player other than the dummy half.

 

[Lee's fedora]

Punt him

 

[crazycat]

He’s got 12 rounds at least before Doueihi returns from injury if he finally kills it than he might see out his contract but if he fails again and especially if Hastings does kill it Doueihi could easily slot back into the halves and Brooks could be demoted to bench or even completely dropped and if that happens I don’t think we’ll have him for 23 but he will at least be here for 22 that’s for sure

Doueihi isn’t going to be the answer coming back from a serious injury. He needs to be eased back in. Most likely in the centres, seeing as how we are shot there.

While AJ is injured again which sucks I hope he goes well with recovery seems like a nice kid our Centre depth isn’t that bad considering we have Tupou retained Roberts even if it is just for depth and signed To’a who probably will play at Centre now that AJ is out for a while probably him and Gildart I’m tipping as my R1 Centres but if Brooks and Hastings are killing it yes I can see potentially Doueihi being slotted at Centre to get back into the team even if it is for easing him back but we cannot accept Brooks being average again at best especially if Hastings is killing it if he’s struggling too than yeah 22 will be rough but I’m confident in saying that if Doueihi’s long term future isn’t in the halves for us he won’t be here after 23 but I hope that Brooks and Hastings kill it for us especially Brooks another poor year from him and I doubt he’s here for 23

Who won’t be here after 23, Brooks?

If he struggles again yes I doubt Brooks won’t be here for 23 he’s got pretty much 22 to save his future at the Tigers if he really wants to be here he’s gotta step up this year and I mean really step up

I think you’ll find he is in good stead with the coaching stuff and there is no ultimatum that you are suggesting.

Well like I said 22 he’s got to step up majorly he’s really got to take control of the team like most halves do let’s be honest we have shown lots of loyalty and faith to him but hasn’t repaid that yet **22 has to be the year that Brooks at least steps up we might not make finals** but we need to see that Brooks has the capability of potentially leading us there if he can play consistent good footy most of the year than everyone will start to slowly back off not just one good game then and there

We haven’t made finals for a decade so what’s one more year. Plus there have been years that he has stood up yet we have still missed the finals. His mates need to step up too.

Everyone has got to play good footy but Brooks really has got to take charge you can see that without no Benji or Robbie helping us how we struggled to lead in attack we need to see something from him big time he needs to step up and lead but everyone has got to play their part

Blaming all our attacking woes on Brooks is a fallacy for mine, given that WT only scored 1 less point per game on average last year compared with 2020. The 5 additional points and 115m run metres conceded on average in 2021 were much more of a problem, with 149 worse off F/A between those years (65 and 214 in 4 additional matches due to covid) as a result. WT scored less on average in both the 2018/19 seasons, but hard to compare pre and post covid statistics.

I will though not argue with the Benji bit on producing points, which can be clearly identified by both performance and try scoring on the right edge in 2020. Lucy getting put over often and Nofoaluma was in great attacking form outside him, being ileading try scorer going into the final rounds before Johnston ran amok with 5 in a game and Feldt got his hat-trick as well.

To balance that a little, Doueihi did get one more try assist than Brooks last year in less matches and crossed the stripe more himself as part of a mainly fresh spine. Let us see what effect Hastings has and go from there, but don't expect that Brooks will not have the ball in his hands more than any player other than the dummy half.

Right on with the stats.
Our attack is pretty much where it was last year. We can improve, but not by much.

Our defense is behind and I worry that you point to it falling further behind.

Really with a loss of Marshall shouldn't we expect our attack to be far worse?
With Marshall gone, shouldn't we expect our defense to improve?

Look at who we signed, James Tamou. We see Stephano come into his element. Our forward pack was upgraded quite extensively and....

NOTHING!
We should have been explosive in 2021. We should have seen Defense improve. Instead our team imploded.

Up for all the discussion on Brooks we want. We need to improve our attack. But while our defense is going so far backwards I am not going to blame the Halfback.

 

[PJ_]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?

 

[twentyforty]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?

When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.

 

[Demps]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.


 

[batboy]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.

Funny - the bloke that was previously steering us around to not make the finals more often than not went to another club, and played finals - first year…

 

[Demps]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.

Funny - the bloke that was previously steering us around to not make the finals more often than not went to another club, and played finals - first year…

That is true.........

Benji didn't exactly play "Benji's game"
He played Wayne Bennetts game.

He looked great in 2021.
I think we could've used him.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.


Pot meet kettle

 

[Demps]

It's the 7s job to steer the side around.
We've looked headless for years.
New position, maybe a new club?


When was the last time we had someone on the field steering the side around to everyone’s satisfaction?
We’ve tried everything , including a 5 player steering committee. What we need is a group of talented individuals (already have a few) who have an obsession for teamwork. Oh, and for Brooks to thoroughly enjoy his footy again.

You just have to keep going back to the amount of players that have left and played finals. There’s no reason why Brooks wouldn’t be the same. It’s the club.


Pot meet kettle

Great post, very insightful and productive like all your others over the past few weeks.

Might be time to find a hobby or something instead of whinging on here everyday.