Luke Brooks

[innsaneink]

For me personally, we are toast without Brooks. Doesn't miss games, getting better every year, just needs some decent players around him. I believe we are creating a stronger, more consistent side. He is our marquee player moving forward. Madge will take him to the next level. If he goes, its going to be a big kick in the guts for the Tigers and our growth as a team over the next few seasons.
Additionally I think Reynolds has to go. Unlikely, but some of his dollars need to be directed at Brooks. Maybe look to pick up a cheaper replacement (with upside) who can gel with Brooks' game.

Good post.
I believe Brooks still has more to offer…. And I hope you're right about Madge getting his best from him.
We need to retain him

 

[Telltails]

For me personally, we are toast without Brooks. Doesn't miss games, getting better every year, just needs some decent players around him. I believe we are creating a stronger, more consistent side. He is our marquee player moving forward. Madge will take him to the next level. If he goes, its going to be a big kick in the guts for the Tigers and our growth as a team over the next few seasons.
Additionally I think Reynolds has to go. Unlikely, but some of his dollars need to be directed at Brooks. Maybe look to pick up a cheaper replacement (with upside) who can gel with Brooks' game.

Never liked the idea of Brooks/Reynolds together and still none the wiser after this year. Could end up with a massive amount of cap tied up in a halves pair that doesnt gel behind a less than ordinary pack!
I will be interested to see the path Maguire takes.

 

[jirskyr]

For me personally, we are toast without Brooks. Doesn't miss games, getting better every year, just needs some decent players around him. I believe we are creating a stronger, more consistent side. He is our marquee player moving forward. Madge will take him to the next level. If he goes, its going to be a big kick in the guts for the Tigers and our growth as a team over the next few seasons.
Additionally I think Reynolds has to go. Unlikely, but some of his dollars need to be directed at Brooks. Maybe look to pick up a cheaper replacement (with upside) who can gel with Brooks' game.

Good post.
I believe Brooks still has more to offer…. And I hope you're right about Madge getting his best from him.
We need to retain him

Does Brooks have more to offer? Certainly. His best is very good and it's a matter of being more towards his best more often. Still not a renowned clutch-game player and mostly untested in big-stakes games (not entirely his fault, we haven't been within big stakes for some time).

I think every fan has a nagging feeling that Brooks can go a degree better again in 2019, considering 2018 was truly a breakout year for him.

That obviously begs the question why it took him 5 years to have a really good season. But you are only as good as your last season and we all know that most halfbacks who fade away would have done so already.

For another club, Brooks would be a worthy pickup if you needed a HB, but not as good as other established halfbacks IMO.

But for Tigers - I see him as a must. To lose Brooks now, after all the time and effort (and patience) put in, would be unfortunate. His last contract was modest, he was the only "Big 4" to sign and he did so without much fuss, and he repaid us with a strong 2018.

 

[bigsiro]

Brooks will come good. He is about to enter the golden period of his career.

Hope so. Really do, as "potential" has been the mantra of the Brooks fan for 5 years.

@ Lauren, I have watched him since U20's and he carved it up there. I was a massive fan.
I don't feel his game ever really made the step up.

Consistency is EVERYTHING in this game. It separates Average-Good-Great. Having one great game a month does not make you a great player.
If anyone here is being truly honest then they'd have to concede that he is wildly inconsistent. If you can't agree then please review the 2018 or 2017 season and you'll see that he rarely, if ever strings two good games together. His kicking game is well below par and his 5th tackle options are often amateur.

His potential still lies in wait. Many players for various reasons never fulfill their potential and it's a travesty. It depends on how much future you are willing to pin on it.

**Can Brooks grow?** Maybe as a ball runner (I would have him as a 5/8, also because his reaction to 5th tackle pressure has seen the options he takes and and kicks are mostly woeful).
**Can he become a better kicker?** Who knows…After 3, 4 seasons he was no better. After 5 seasons he seems to have improved his short kicking game. Maybe 2019 year it extends? But would you bet on it? I wouldn't.
**Can he dominate and steer a team around?** I wish he would, but he hasn't shown it yet. So based on evidence I have to doubt it.

I was going to ask the question, how much longer do we wait for Brooks to fulfill his potential. I have asked this for years and every year it is "one more year". IMO we will still be waiting when he turns 27 and still then fans will say "he is about to enter the golden period of his career".
How much longer do we wait?
Is the fear of the unknown THAT great that it is worth throwing away the next 5 years for? There are those who think he has already got to a good enough level. I honestly don't know how on earth anyone can think that. It is with these guys that I strongly disagree with.

But for the most part, most Brooks backers here empathize with the perspective that he has not yet got to an acceptable, consistent level while those of us who have lost patience empathize with those still desperately clinging to the belief that Brooks will fulfill his potential. It's a refreshing discussion.

Bottom line is, as long as he is here we all hope he takes his game to the next level and that he smashes it in finals footy.
**If/When that happens I will gladly eat loads of humble pie.**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-T8YIbrt0

 

[TheDaBoss]

For me personally, we are toast without Brooks. Doesn't miss games, getting better every year, just needs some decent players around him. I believe we are creating a stronger, more consistent side. He is our marquee player moving forward. Madge will take him to the next level. If he goes, its going to be a big kick in the guts for the Tigers and our growth as a team over the next few seasons.
Additionally I think Reynolds has to go. Unlikely, but some of his dollars need to be directed at Brooks. Maybe look to pick up a cheaper replacement (with upside) who can gel with Brooks' game.

Good post.
I believe Brooks still has more to offer…. And I hope you're right about Madge getting his best from him.
We need to retain him

Does Brooks have more to offer? Certainly. His best is very good and it's a matter of being more towards his best more often. Still not a renowned clutch-game player and mostly untested in big-stakes games (not entirely his fault, we haven't been within big stakes for some time).

I think every fan has a nagging feeling that Brooks can go a degree better again in 2019, considering 2018 was truly a breakout year for him.

That obviously begs the question why it took him 5 years to have a really good season. But you are only as good as your last season and we all know that most halfbacks who fade away would have done so already.

For another club, Brooks would be a worthy pickup if you needed a HB, but not as good as other established halfbacks IMO.

But for Tigers - I see him as a must. To lose Brooks now, after all the time and effort (and patience) put in, would be unfortunate. His last contract was modest, he was the only "Big 4" to sign and he did so without much fuss, and he repaid us with a strong 2018.

after the effort he put in this season, it would be hard to let him/see him go but we do have to be prepared for situations like this

 

[happy_tiger]

Brooks will come good. He is about to enter the golden period of his career.

Hope so. Really do, as "potential" has been the mantra of the Brooks fan for 5 years.

@ Lauren, I have watched him since U20's and he carved it up there. I was a massive fan.
I don't feel his game ever really made the step up.

Consistency is EVERYTHING in this game. It separates Average-Good-Great. Having one great game a month does not make you a great player.
If anyone here is being truly honest then they'd have to concede that he is wildly inconsistent. If you can't agree then please review the 2018 or 2017 season and you'll see that he rarely, if ever strings two good games together. His kicking game is well below par and his 5th tackle options are often amateur.

His potential still lies in wait. Many players for various reasons never fulfill their potential and it's a travesty. It depends on how much future you are willing to pin on it.

**Can Brooks grow?** Maybe as a ball runner (I would have him as a 5/8, also because his reaction to 5th tackle pressure has seen the options he takes and and kicks are mostly woeful).
**Can he become a better kicker?** Who knows…After 3, 4 seasons he was no better. After 5 seasons he seems to have improved his short kicking game. Maybe 2019 year it extends? But would you bet on it? I wouldn't.
**Can he dominate and steer a team around?** I wish he would, but he hasn't shown it yet. So based on evidence I have to doubt it.

I was going to ask the question, how much longer do we wait for Brooks to fulfill his potential. I have asked this for years and every year it is "one more year". IMO we will still be waiting when he turns 27 and still then fans will say "he is about to enter the golden period of his career".
How much longer do we wait?
Is the fear of the unknown THAT great that it is worth throwing away the next 5 years for? There are those who think he has already got to a good enough level. I honestly don't know how on earth anyone can think that. It is with these guys that I strongly disagree with.

But for the most part, most Brooks backers here empathize with the perspective that he has not yet got to an acceptable, consistent level while those of us who have lost patience empathize with those still desperately clinging to the belief that Brooks will fulfill his potential. It's a refreshing discussion.

Bottom line is, as long as he is here we all hope he takes his game to the next level and that he smashes it in finals footy.
**If/When that happens I will gladly eat loads of humble pie.**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-T8YIbrt0

Biggest problem Brooks has is the talent around him doesn't improve , he doesn't have a big go to body in the red zone , a quick back who can get on the outside of his man , a 5/8 that takes some of the heat off him , he has Marsters and Mbye …. and Mbye is still learning the art of the modern fullback

The other problem he has no guarantees that when he wants the ball he is going to get it ......

 

[avocadoontoast]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

 

[supercoach]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

You nailed it….so true

 

[tigerap]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

You nailed it….so true

The big obvious and concern for me is we simply fail to attract marquee players…. they simply don’t want to come to our club... without them we will never win a comp.... which is why our traitor coach should have pulled all stops to sign Tedesco last year... instead he threatened him to get off the bus ....

 

[avocadoontoast]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

You nailed it….so true

The big obvious and concern for me is we simply fail to attract marquee players…. they simply don’t want to come to our club... without them we will never win a comp.... which is why our traitor coach should have pulled all stops to sign Tedesco last year... instead he threatened him to get off the bus ....

Exactly. We can’t use the same strategy other clubs do. He might be worth 800k to the roosters but 1m to us. That’s the way it goes. We have to suck it up, lock him down and build for the future. He’s vital to our success.

 

[NT_Tiger]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

You nailed it….so true

The big obvious and concern for me is we simply fail to attract marquee players…. they simply don’t want to come to our club... without them we will never win a comp.... which is why our traitor coach should have pulled all stops to sign Tedesco last year... instead he threatened him to get off the bus ....

Exactly. We can’t use the same strategy other clubs do. He might be worth 800k to the roosters but 1m to us. That’s the way it goes. We have to suck it up, lock him down and build for the future. He’s vital to our success.

I agree and if he continues to grow under Maguire as a "marquee" player he will be part of the carrot to attract other talent.

 

[Pawsandclaws]

A player is worth it what the market will pay. Will another club offer Brooks more than $800? Probably. Is he worth more than that to us, who have issues recruiting talent? Absolutely. We have no depth at halfback and have limited ability to attract talent. He’s incredibly important to retain. If we don’t we’re in a spot of bother…

You nailed it….so true

The big obvious and concern for me is we simply fail to attract marquee players…. they simply don’t want to come to our club... without them we will never win a comp.... which is why our traitor coach should have pulled all stops to sign Tedesco last year... instead he threatened him to get off the bus ....

IC's conduct is not good but I don't believe we can blame him for Tedesco. Tedesco was always going to leave. I heard the rumblings when he was a junior that he didn't want to stay and a Wests supporter at Campbelltown told me not to expecit it from him. The other two amigoes who left hardly demonstrated loyalty to our club. Three big egoes in a small pond.

 

[Needaname]

Brooks will come good. He is about to enter the golden period of his career.

Hope so. Really do, as "potential" has been the mantra of the Brooks fan for 5 years.

@ Lauren, I have watched him since U20's and he carved it up there. I was a massive fan.
I don't feel his game ever really made the step up.

Consistency is EVERYTHING in this game. It separates Average-Good-Great. Having one great game a month does not make you a great player.
If anyone here is being truly honest then they'd have to concede that he is wildly inconsistent. If you can't agree then please review the 2018 or 2017 season and you'll see that he rarely, if ever strings two good games together. His kicking game is well below par and his 5th tackle options are often amateur.

His potential still lies in wait. Many players for various reasons never fulfill their potential and it's a travesty. It depends on how much future you are willing to pin on it.

**Can Brooks grow?** Maybe as a ball runner (I would have him as a 5/8, also because his reaction to 5th tackle pressure has seen the options he takes and and kicks are mostly woeful).
**Can he become a better kicker?** Who knows…After 3, 4 seasons he was no better. After 5 seasons he seems to have improved his short kicking game. Maybe 2019 year it extends? But would you bet on it? I wouldn't.
**Can he dominate and steer a team around?** I wish he would, but he hasn't shown it yet. So based on evidence I have to doubt it.

I was going to ask the question, how much longer do we wait for Brooks to fulfill his potential. I have asked this for years and every year it is "one more year". IMO we will still be waiting when he turns 27 and still then fans will say "he is about to enter the golden period of his career".
How much longer do we wait?
Is the fear of the unknown THAT great that it is worth throwing away the next 5 years for? There are those who think he has already got to a good enough level. I honestly don't know how on earth anyone can think that. It is with these guys that I strongly disagree with.

But for the most part, most Brooks backers here empathize with the perspective that he has not yet got to an acceptable, consistent level while those of us who have lost patience empathize with those still desperately clinging to the belief that Brooks will fulfill his potential. It's a refreshing discussion.

Bottom line is, as long as he is here we all hope he takes his game to the next level and that he smashes it in finals footy.
**If/When that happens I will gladly eat loads of humble pie.**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC-T8YIbrt0

Agree with most of this.
The one thing I’ll add though is there is something seriously wrong with your game plan if your expecting your half to come up with the right fifth tackle option under pressure.
The fifth tackle option should be ingrained into the game plan. There should be a number of options a half already has premeditated as to what to take when the team finds themselves in the position of the field they end up in.
From what I can see in 2018 when Brooks finds himself under pressure on the fifth either A he hasn’t dictated how he wants the set to play out or B the set has gone away from how it was planned. Sure the halfback has to adjust but he shouldn’t be adjusting on the last tackle, he wouldn’t be alone in this thought though a lot of teams this year struggled for end of set plays.
I feel it’s a combination of coaching/understanding and execution.
Usually if execution is off, that can be a timing issue. If it’s coaching well it’s a little bit far gone to be learning the basics of being a directing halfback at 24 however it does highlight the lack of leadership his experienced over his previous years with us.
I think Reynolds will be a much better asset in this area to Benji.
Reynolds can read the flow of a game and play off the back of it.
Benji not so much.

 

[colmcd]

For me personally, we are toast without Brooks. Doesn't miss games, getting better every year, just needs some decent players around him. I believe we are creating a stronger, more consistent side. He is our marquee player moving forward. Madge will take him to the next level. If he goes, its going to be a big kick in the guts for the Tigers and our growth as a team over the next few seasons.
Additionally I think Reynolds has to go. Unlikely, but some of his dollars need to be directed at Brooks. Maybe look to pick up a cheaper replacement (with upside) who can gel with Brooks' game.

Good post.
I believe Brooks still has more to offer…. And I hope you're right about Madge getting his best from him.
We need to retain him

It could be possible to do a swap with the dogs so that Reynolds goes back. If we push for it then we will pay freight.

We must keep Brooks. The only other player on our roster who has played Halfback is Benji Marshall… Need I say more.

It would be good to get some mileage out of Reynolds. He is a good signing but at the wrong time. MAN we could have brought Maloney, Pearce or Cronk, Although all of those players come at a premium. They were also after successful clubs, not necessarily us in our rebuilding phase.
Pearce was going to go with his Easts teammates.
Maloney may have jumped at a big cheque from us, not sure how he would have went as a Tiger in a less then average team.
Cronk would have been awesome. However he picked easts out of respect, unsure what he felt about the Tigers but he would not have joined us on a rebuilding phase.

Either way, STOP MUCKING WITH OUR HALVES!
Our gaps is maybe 1 back and 2 good forwards. Lets give this team a chance to gel before we change our foundations yet again.

 

[WT2K]

Madge definitely on the charm offensive with what he's been quoted as saying about brooks since becoming coach of the tigers.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Madge definitely on the charm offensive with what he's been quoted as saying about brooks since becoming coach of the tigers.

he hasn't even met all of the team yet as well :roll

meanwhile other clubs r well into their pre season training, and we r well….......... :question:

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Madge definitely on the charm offensive with what he's been quoted as saying about brooks since becoming coach of the tigers.

he hasn't even met all of the team yet as well :roll

meanwhile other clubs r well into their pre season training, and we r well….......... :question:

Oh gee, other teams have a week pre-season on us. First world probelms those.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Madge definitely on the charm offensive with what he's been quoted as saying about brooks since becoming coach of the tigers.

he hasn't even met all of the team yet as well :roll

meanwhile other clubs r well into their pre season training, and we r well….......... :question:

Oh gee, other teams have a week pre-season on us. Third world probelms those.

meh, they are problems in my eyes :wink:

 

[Tbone]

Several clubs don’t start their pre-season training until the last week of Nov. A few others start around mid-Nov like us. Warriors have started but they have a stack of players in the UK.

I’d much rather start a week later than some clubs with Maguire than on 1 Nov with Barret or JT begind the clipboard.

 

[Tigerdon]

If Brooks goes does go. Does anyone actually think we will end up with someone better?
I say we are about an 80% chance of getting someone worse. 10% chance of getting someone equal to Brooks and a 10% chance of getting someone better.