Luke Brooks Re-Signs
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Love_the_WestsTigers
Well-known member
@ said:
hear hear
**Luke Brooks: I committed to Wests Tigers knowing rest of 'big four' could leave**
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Luke Brooks was told that if he re-signed with the Wests Tigers there was a possibility he would be the only member of the so-called "big four" to be at the club next season. He still signed.
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The Tigers halfback has opened up on the tumultuous past few months that eventually led to him committing the next two years of his career to the club.
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It was only after Jason Taylor's sacking, when it became increasingly obvious Ivan Cleary would take over the reins, that Brooks finally decided he wanted to put an end to the speculation.
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Since then, Mitchell Moses has signed with Parramatta for next season and Aaron Woods and James Tedesco have had four-year offers put on the table from the Bulldogs. But Brooks insists he has no regrets.
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"It was just before the Melbourne game – I spoke to a few people and they told me there's a big chance not all the boys are going to stay," Brooks told Fairfax Media. "My manager asked me if I was comfortable with that and I said 'Yeah, I'm comfortable with it either way'. I love the club. It would have been hard for me to leave. I like the direction the club is going in. Obviously having the new coach coming in and knowing he's going to be here for three years helps.
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"It gives us some security there. Before we didn't know who the coach was going to be or if JT was going to stay and all that stuff. It's good to know they'll have Ivan here for three years – that helped with the decision."
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Brooks has heard all the criticism. He's heard the Tigers should have signed Moses instead of him. He's heard that he hasn't lived up to the hype. Deep down he admits he hasn't developed at the rate he would have hoped, but there were some challenges during the Taylor regime that may have hampered his progression.
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"I think when JT first came it didn't really suit me but over the few years he let us take more control," Brooks said. "I think that did sort of suit me but I wasn't playing as good as I thought I could be playing and what I know I could play. Maybe with Ivan coming in it's going to help me. He said he can help me grow as a player.
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"If I'm being honest, I thought I probably would have been a bit further ahead at this point in my career but due to certain things I'm probably not. Halfbacks, at a young age … you see a lot of halves hit their peak at about 26 or 27\. I'm only 22\. I have a lot of learning and developing to do."
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Brooks burst on the scene as a player with enormous potential, and was likened to a young Andrew Johns when he took the field at the Sydney Cricket Ground against the Dragons on his debut as a teenager back in 2013.
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It was at the expense of club legend Benji Marshall, who shifted into the centres to accommodate Brooks. The pressure was a burden Brooks admits he struggled to deal with.
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"For a kid to have never played first grade, get all that hype, it was ridiculous," Brooks said. "Everyone put me up high and said I was the next [Andrew Johns], so once I had a bad game, everyone starts to think he's overrated. People think I'm the one saying I'm the next Joey but it wasn't. The same people who said that then turned and said the complete opposite. I hated that attention. I still find it awkward.
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"When I was younger and opened the paper and saw myself in it I would find it weird. Or if I was at home watching TV and they start talking about me – whether it's good or bad – I still find it awkward to listen to, especially when I'm with other people."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/luke-brooks-i-committed-to-wests-tigers-knowing-rest-of-big-four-could-leave-20170418-gvmt7e.html
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Luke Brooks was told that if he re-signed with the Wests Tigers there was a possibility he would be the only member of the so-called "big four" to be at the club next season. He still signed.
>
The Tigers halfback has opened up on the tumultuous past few months that eventually led to him committing the next two years of his career to the club.
>
It was only after Jason Taylor's sacking, when it became increasingly obvious Ivan Cleary would take over the reins, that Brooks finally decided he wanted to put an end to the speculation.
>
Since then, Mitchell Moses has signed with Parramatta for next season and Aaron Woods and James Tedesco have had four-year offers put on the table from the Bulldogs. But Brooks insists he has no regrets.
>
"It was just before the Melbourne game – I spoke to a few people and they told me there's a big chance not all the boys are going to stay," Brooks told Fairfax Media. "My manager asked me if I was comfortable with that and I said 'Yeah, I'm comfortable with it either way'. I love the club. It would have been hard for me to leave. I like the direction the club is going in. Obviously having the new coach coming in and knowing he's going to be here for three years helps.
>
"It gives us some security there. Before we didn't know who the coach was going to be or if JT was going to stay and all that stuff. It's good to know they'll have Ivan here for three years – that helped with the decision."
>
Brooks has heard all the criticism. He's heard the Tigers should have signed Moses instead of him. He's heard that he hasn't lived up to the hype. Deep down he admits he hasn't developed at the rate he would have hoped, but there were some challenges during the Taylor regime that may have hampered his progression.
>
"I think when JT first came it didn't really suit me but over the few years he let us take more control," Brooks said. "I think that did sort of suit me but I wasn't playing as good as I thought I could be playing and what I know I could play. Maybe with Ivan coming in it's going to help me. He said he can help me grow as a player.
>
"If I'm being honest, I thought I probably would have been a bit further ahead at this point in my career but due to certain things I'm probably not. Halfbacks, at a young age … you see a lot of halves hit their peak at about 26 or 27\. I'm only 22\. I have a lot of learning and developing to do."
>
Brooks burst on the scene as a player with enormous potential, and was likened to a young Andrew Johns when he took the field at the Sydney Cricket Ground against the Dragons on his debut as a teenager back in 2013.
>
It was at the expense of club legend Benji Marshall, who shifted into the centres to accommodate Brooks. The pressure was a burden Brooks admits he struggled to deal with.
>
"For a kid to have never played first grade, get all that hype, it was ridiculous," Brooks said. "Everyone put me up high and said I was the next [Andrew Johns], so once I had a bad game, everyone starts to think he's overrated. People think I'm the one saying I'm the next Joey but it wasn't. The same people who said that then turned and said the complete opposite. I hated that attention. I still find it awkward.
>
"When I was younger and opened the paper and saw myself in it I would find it weird. Or if I was at home watching TV and they start talking about me – whether it's good or bad – I still find it awkward to listen to, especially when I'm with other people."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/luke-brooks-i-committed-to-wests-tigers-knowing-rest-of-big-four-could-leave-20170418-gvmt7e.html
Love_the_WestsTigers
Well-known member
I feel sorry for him
He has heard it all
How he was the unwanted Tigers child yet he was the first to stay and probably the only one to
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I truly hope Ivan can harness the talent Brooks is and has so he can stand up proud on his own instead of second fiddle to someone else
He has heard it all
How he was the unwanted Tigers child yet he was the first to stay and probably the only one to
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I truly hope Ivan can harness the talent Brooks is and has so he can stand up proud on his own instead of second fiddle to someone else
Born_tiger
Member
He has made a smart decision. If Moses re-signed first everyone would want Brooks gone, and by a few of the quotes it kind of sounds like he was going for a bit of popularity among fans by re-signing first.
HabboTiger
Well-known member
These are the kind of stories that the club should be getting in the press. Brooks sounds pretty realistic and honest, there is a lot to like in his stance.
You do kinda feel for him.
He wasn't the one telling people he was going to be the future New South Wales halfback and one of the best since Joey. He might never get to play Origin, but we can be sure that he's at least going to be a very good player for us for the next few years.
He wasn't the one telling people he was going to be the future New South Wales halfback and one of the best since Joey. He might never get to play Origin, but we can be sure that he's at least going to be a very good player for us for the next few years.
Sully
Well-known member
Great kid who is yet to hit his potential.
I know it sounds lame to hear " I love this club" after all the press, but I truly believe he does and that is what we need players wanting to be part of the club. Woods could learn from him as he has not shown the same love of the club.
I know it sounds lame to hear " I love this club" after all the press, but I truly believe he does and that is what we need players wanting to be part of the club. Woods could learn from him as he has not shown the same love of the club.
Congratulations Luke - well done.
I am sure all Wests Tigers supporters are really glad that you are staying with the "Tigers" for the next couple of years. Ivan Cleary is a very astute coach imo and will definitely improve your game. His son has certainly benefited from his fathers knowledge and experience and take it as given that you will too.
I am hoping that the club can secure the services of a good 5/8 to complement your game and steer you in the right direction on the field. We'll just have to wait and see.
Once again thanks for your commitment to the club - hopefully you can guide us to bigger and better things in the future.
I am sure all Wests Tigers supporters are really glad that you are staying with the "Tigers" for the next couple of years. Ivan Cleary is a very astute coach imo and will definitely improve your game. His son has certainly benefited from his fathers knowledge and experience and take it as given that you will too.
I am hoping that the club can secure the services of a good 5/8 to complement your game and steer you in the right direction on the field. We'll just have to wait and see.
Once again thanks for your commitment to the club - hopefully you can guide us to bigger and better things in the future.
He stayed because no one else was going to pay him more than the Tigers were offering.
None of you would be talking about "loyalty" if another club had dangled a 100k more a season carrot in front of him, he would of signed quicker than two jiggles of a jack rabbits arse.
The only reason he stayed "loyal" is because he had no other option, other teams weren't exactly knocking the door down for his signature, begging him to steer their team around for the next 3 or 4 years were they?
None of you would be talking about "loyalty" if another club had dangled a 100k more a season carrot in front of him, he would of signed quicker than two jiggles of a jack rabbits arse.
The only reason he stayed "loyal" is because he had no other option, other teams weren't exactly knocking the door down for his signature, begging him to steer their team around for the next 3 or 4 years were they?
old_man_tiger
Well-known member
@ said:
Thanks for posting. I'd forgotten a lot of those plays. It really looks like he's been overcoached in hindsight.
Also a timely reminder for people like me who crucified him.
jirskyr
Well-known member
Sign first and receive the love!
I am very happy with this news
I am looking forward to seeing Luke grow into the Tiger that most of feel he can be.
I am looking forward to seeing Luke grow into the Tiger that most of feel he can be.
My wife is happy he's hanging around.
Tim Sheens
Well-known member
@ said:
Surely you can't be referring to the forum Spartan, as most on here would have been happy to see him nailed atop a holy cross, rather than supporting a junior from the school. He has been going okay and been treated very poorly by many on here for not reaching the level of hype and expectations of others.
Smart decision by Luke. He effectively made sure he wasn't left out in the cold and still signed for reasonable money (probably more than well overs for him at the moment but that's beside the point.) Got plenty in the kitty to throw at an experienced partner now. A few forwards who'll lay the platform and get a roll on in the middle would help as well.
@ said:
Yeah the hype and expectations were unfair, but most of us were expecting gradual development and improvement in his game with which neither have come along to satisfaction. No one expected him to be Andrew Johns from the get go. He has the ability, we've seen it. He just needs consistency.
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