Luke Brooks running Wests Tigers to new heights in 2018

[Defiant]

The kid has come of age. Would have happened long ago without Moses over calling and coaches not showing him the adjustments required for first grade.

We can all see why Nathan wants to play for his dad.

BTW one of Bonstonkers most recent vid's only has Brooks and a few others still in our squad… reminds how quick the roster has rolled over, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36kAhrBLOo

That compilation still get me pumped. ! Make some new one's Bon... please.

 

[swag_tiger]

The kid has come of age. Would have happened long ago without Moses over calling and coaches not showing him the adjustments required for first grade.

We can all see why Nathan wants to play for his dad.

BTW one of Bonstonkers most recent vid's only has Brooks and a few others still in our squad… reminds how quick the roster has rolled over, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36kAhrBLOo

That compilation still get me pumped. ! Make some new one's Bon... please.

The only current players in that video are Brooks, Nofoaluma and Lawrence.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Brooks has always been a first grade halfback, but is now becoming a quality one.

 

[happy_tiger]

He deserved criticism in the past…. He wasnt cutting it

This place is full of "I told you so's"... Really tiresome

Should serve as a warning to those who too quickly write off young players with little understanding of what they are dealing with. Same thing is happening with liddle.

People getting stuck into him before this year was "Really tiresome" as well.

If he had failed - these guys wouldn't have been "I told you so's" would they?

They were being accurate… Nothing tiresome about that... You can stick your head in the sand if you like, some call a spade a spade
If those people were saying "he'd never amount to anything blah blah" then yeh, they'd be wrong.
If they were calling it as they saw it in the 'then &
there' then I've no problem with that.

I'm glad he's going well but the pissing contests here are childish russell

I'm completely lost here …...

What point is trying to be made ??

 

[NT_Tiger]

Should serve as a warning to those who too quickly write off young players with little understanding of what they are dealing with. Same thing is happening with liddle.

People getting stuck into him before this year was "Really tiresome" as well.

If he had failed - these guys wouldn't have been "I told you so's" would they?

They were being accurate… Nothing tiresome about that... You can stick your head in the sand if you like, some call a spade a spade
If those people were saying "he'd never amount to anything blah blah" then yeh, they'd be wrong.
If they were calling it as they saw it in the 'then &
there' then I've no problem with that.

I'm glad he's going well but the pissing contests here are childish russell

I'm completely lost here …...

What point is trying to be made ??

Lost again? I told you so!

 

[innsaneink]

Should serve as a warning to those who too quickly write off young players with little understanding of what they are dealing with. Same thing is happening with liddle.

People getting stuck into him before this year was "Really tiresome" as well.

If he had failed - these guys wouldn't have been "I told you so's" would they?

They were being accurate… Nothing tiresome about that... You can stick your head in the sand if you like, some call a spade a spade
If those people were saying "he'd never amount to anything blah blah" then yeh, they'd be wrong.
If they were calling it as they saw it in the 'then &
there' then I've no problem with that.

I'm glad he's going well but the pissing contests here are childish russell

I've always felt that he did most parts of the game pretty well in the last couple of years. Always had a good running game, could put a man through the gap, defended well. Up until this year he struggled with 5th tackle options and short kicking game. Unfortunately these two areas are crucial for a good half.

He is drastically improving in these areas, and getting better in areas he was already good in.

There's nothing wrong with pointing out his shortcomings. Obviously those saying he was all round hopeless weren't entirely correct, but there were plenty of measured comments on his game as well which I feel were reasonably justified.

We all want our players to do well. There was significant frustration with Brooks because how long it has taken him to come on, there's probably a myriad of reasons as to why, but Wests fans are sick of being patient for good reason.

I am going to continue to enjoy his purple patch and hope he continues to improve.

Good post CB I think similarly on Brooks.

Happy… I can't help you it's pretty straight forward... Geoh will assist you

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I think Gold Coasttiger called him a myth for 3yrs straight

I did And he Was

1 also said that I thouhjt he was better than the other Myth, but needed help from the club , in that he was thrown in the deep end with Moses instead of someone with at least an ounce of experience to help him develop.

If he ( and Moses ) had been playing reserve Grade instead of first grade on big money that was way above their performance level , I don’t think many would have been criticising him.
But he was in first grade, on big money and mostly Badly underperforming.

He was the least of the big Four that the club wanted to retain as was shown with the lowest money of all of them being offered and he couldn’t get a better offer any where in the NRL
His kicking was Poo ,and (on some days) is not much better even now.

Over all , he’s improved out of sight in a lot of things, he isn’t the same speed bump that he was, but he’s still eeds to improve things like his kicking game, his running game has never been questioned by me.

I always hoped that he would outlast Moses here , mainly because of that debut game where he smashed the Game and showed what he was capable of,
But it never happened., but it’s starting to.

I Think a bit of the reason that I hoped he would improve was that he wasn’t Moses!
He seems to be the kind of kid that most people want good things for, and while I wouldn’t change my former comments about his game at that time, I couldn’t be happier for him to show that he has got the ability ( and the attitude)to be a genuine First Grader. Hopefully, For a long time.

 

[The_Patriot]

Lots and lots of reasons why the kid didnt come on.

I have a simple one. Jason Taylor was the wrong coach for him.

Next.

 

[TrueTiger]

Those bagging liddle now are probably the exact same blokes who were laying into brooks pre 2018\. Gotta realise it’s a big step up from underage competitions champions to Consistent performers in the nrl. It takes time, particularly if you haven’t got much support.

I have to agree with your post LC,myself last year said that 2018 has to be Lukes breakout year …the hype surrounding him since his debut was overwelming and his performances were underwelming...many had a right to question the performances...since Ivan has been here and Luke has an experienced hand working with him at his side in Benji,he has been sensational for the team...As GEO and others have said it takes time for an NRL halfback to develope and it doesnt happen overnight,we will see the fruits of his developement as we go further down his career path..

On Jacob Liddle...he will be an outstanding hooker at NRL level,he to is still developing but has all the qualities of a star in the making....I know he is carrying an injury at the moment and it is effecting his performances..for anyone on this forum that is criticing the injury he has,I mentioned in another thread that I cracked my sternum playing many moons ago,it took alot of time to heal and it is one of those injuries that affects many of your movements when running,doing weights,swimming and sometimes breathing...it is not pleasant and hopefully he can heal quickly with specialist help and good rehab...

 

[Mac]

Brooks has developed a better feel for the game. His short passes and short kicks used to be almost mechanical which meant a lot of them were overcooked and resulted in dropped balls by hole runners and dead-in-goal grubbers.

The biggest changes I've seen this year are his defence, ability to look ahead and the most important for me - he now has "soft" hands which is giving guys like Rowdy a much better opportunity of catching the ball when hitting a hole.

 

[supercoach]

I think the key to Brook's form this year is fitness. I have heard he was not a great trainer till Cleary came on the scene. Apparently he was flogged during the preseason and is now reaping the benefits.

I also think having Benji there and not "look at me look at me" Moses has played a role

 

[Russell]

He deserved criticism in the past…. He wasnt cutting it

This place is full of "I told you so's"... Really tiresome

Should serve as a warning to those who too quickly write off young players with little understanding of what they are dealing with. Same thing is happening with liddle.

People getting stuck into him before this year was "Really tiresome" as well.

If he had failed - these guys wouldn't have been "I told you so's" would they?

They were being accurate… Nothing tiresome about that... You can stick your head in the sand if you like, some call a spade a spade
If those people were saying "he'd never amount to anything blah blah" then yeh, they'd be wrong.
If they were calling it as they saw it in the 'then &
there' then I've no problem with that.

I'm glad he's going well but the pissing contests here are childish russell

Listen Ink - I'll tell you what - you dismissing my comments all the time is more than tiresome.

Go and rub someone else up the wrong the way.

That is my opinion - no different than you having yours. That is what a Forum is - isn't it????

 

[Muffstar]

Lots and lots of reasons why the kid didnt come on.

I have a simple one. Jason Taylor was the wrong coach for him.

Next.

Hit the nail on the head. Nothing more to say really.

 

[krayola]

No stats for kicks the got repeat sets. that has improved markedly!

Luke has fluked his way to lead the entire NRL in forced dropouts..

I remember when the lynch mob were out chasing him. He backed himself to do well and proven to himself he is an NRL player. Well done,

This whole revisionist Brooks history is hilarious. Not directing this at you Paws but people in general on here act like Brooks' last two seasons weren't average and that he didn't deserve to be bagged. He is being paid solid money and in a losing team his peformances weren't helping. His rookie season was excellent but once Moses started imposing himself and injuries crept in, Brooks' game definitely suffered. JT's direction must have had something to do with it too. The stats show that he wasn't running or kicking accurately enough.

Some people definitely stuck the boot in very early but the vast majority of the 'mob' joined in the past season and a half, justifiably.

Well done to Luke, I hope his form continues for many years and his development is used as a case study for how quality players don't just appear overnight but take years to grow, especially halves.

 

[happy_tiger]

People getting stuck into him before this year was "Really tiresome" as well.

If he had failed - these guys wouldn't have been "I told you so's" would they?

They were being accurate… Nothing tiresome about that... You can stick your head in the sand if you like, some call a spade a spade
If those people were saying "he'd never amount to anything blah blah" then yeh, they'd be wrong.
If they were calling it as they saw it in the 'then &
there' then I've no problem with that.

I'm glad he's going well but the pissing contests here are childish russell

I've always felt that he did most parts of the game pretty well in the last couple of years. Always had a good running game, could put a man through the gap, defended well. Up until this year he struggled with 5th tackle options and short kicking game. Unfortunately these two areas are crucial for a good half.

He is drastically improving in these areas, and getting better in areas he was already good in.

There's nothing wrong with pointing out his shortcomings. Obviously those saying he was all round hopeless weren't entirely correct, but there were plenty of measured comments on his game as well which I feel were reasonably justified.

We all want our players to do well. There was significant frustration with Brooks because how long it has taken him to come on, there's probably a myriad of reasons as to why, but Wests fans are sick of being patient for good reason.

I am going to continue to enjoy his purple patch and hope he continues to improve.

Good post CB I think similarly on Brooks.

Happy… I can't help you it's pretty straight forward... Geoh will assist you

All I see at the moment Ink is a Forum of supporters who all support the same side but now can't bag the coach because he seems capable , can't bag the team as it also seems capable and shows up every week , can't bag recruitment and retention because it seems to have us on the right track and we can't bag upper management because most areas seem to be stable

So now Forum members have turned to turning on each other

Does that cover it Ink ??

That's what I don't get ….

 

[quintus]

Forget about the past and raise our banners high as we march to the future and victory…. :sign: Nobody has sent me a birthday wish for today so you can all get stuffed....lol

 

[Snake]

I have been one of Brooks biggest critics over the years and might say with good reason .. I have commended him this season for his improved defence which IMO has been a credit to him .
His game is really starting to come together for him …I seen this when he was under Potter it was also kicking on .
When a player is on huge money and it is just not working supporters have the right to voice there disapproval within the rules of the Forum . Brooks is a hugely improved player and all credit to him.

 

[barra]

Okay… so we've got the past covered then, and currently looking very promising!

For the future, Brooks needs a good foil beside him to give him that little bit of space so he can apply his running game. So which halves partner is going to provide the best match?
Benji?
Reynolds?
Lolohea?
Cleary???

 

[Tigerdon]

The Brooks/Cleary would work best. One left footer, one right.
I don't mind people banging players in our team for bad games. What I didn't get was poster on here repeatedly calling for his head. It got really boring. Particularly as we didn't have a superstar stuck behind him. Nor a dominant pack in front of him.

 

[Tigerdon]

Ok so the question is… What happened in round 1,3,7&11?
Who did we play?
Where?
Who was the dummy half?
Did we win the ruck?
(doubt it)
Penalties?
Completions?

Is there a common denominator?

All very good points in assessing a half backs performance.
Right now Cleary, Maloney, Hunt and Munster are playing behind the best packs in the comp and are the four halves selected for SOO.