Luke Brooks

[JC99]

I liked that he went for some 40/20's, it's a shame he didn't get them. Good idea but bad execution, hopefully keeps working on his kicking because it's his big weakness at the moment. His attack looked better when he let Doueihi control the edges of the field and he handled the middle.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

Can't recall who it was, but was shaking my head at some of the game thread kicking comments and particularly regarding the following play.

Brooks put up a bomb from about 40 metres out and we contained the donkeys with a first tackle 8 metres from their line and one was complaining about it supposedly being another terrible kick. I almost couldn't believe it, almost.

 

[Snake]

Fwiw. Big reveal on the future of Luke Brooks was on NRL 360. Bit hard to put the content into text but. Let’s just say we’ll have a new halfback next year and a couple of senior forwards as a replacement.


Is there a replay anywhere?

It’s since been mentioned that it was Canberra and one of the two players were Hudson Young.

Yes I saw it now ..Buzz 2 weeks ago said a coach was approached to take Brooks for 2 forwards (not named) to which the reply was No..

Lol so they asked if we would swap him , we said sure , give us your best 2 forwards , and they said no way .

It’s literally like asking for 2 all star caliber players for your above average player in any sports video game . The AI says no god damn way every time . Because it’s ludicrous .
If Canberra did say yes , It would be absolutely stupid .
Also wasn’t this around the same time that Brooks manager was shopping him after Williams bolted back to the motherland ? Mainly because , like right now , Brooks gets no love for the wins and all the hate for the losses ?

Pooper replied to Buzzard the Wests Tigers aren’t shopping Brooks around but if the bottom of your bourbon glass says something it must be true..

As if you would shop a guy who’s clearly as talented as any half in the competition , but has struggled for form and consistency, once he finds the form and consistency. What was the point of waiting all those years .
Look at the anti brooks vultures circling . They’re so keen to be proven right about how bad he is , they want to put. Failed half who’s killing it in Reserve grade , I mean Super league , who’s 2 years away from being permanently moved to lock , as he’s as slow as a wet week . Unbelievable. If it was Jock Madden that was getting the push , I’d understand that , but Hastings ? Seriously , that’s crazy talk .

Will take a talker and organiser right at this time over speed .. Hastings has been brought to the club for a reason as the dynamic around the halves needs changing !

 

[balmain boy]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

BB, I don't believe there are 400k halfbacks these days. Brooks played well. Kicks to wingers to pin them deep in their territory is 101 of footy. Twice he straightened the attack to set up tries plus his floating bombs and kick for Maumolo. His combination with Doueihi, Laurie and Liddle will be significant in the team improving. I expect even more improvement once Sheens arrives.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

Can't recall who it was, but was shaking my head at some of the game thread kicking comments and particularly regarding the following play.

Brooks put up a bomb from about 40 metres out and we contained the donkeys with a first tackle 8 metres from their line and one was complaining about it supposedly being another terrible kick. I almost couldn't believe it, almost.

I find it hard to fathom some of the comments directed toward him.

We've had quite a few halves behave badly and still be retained as they are really good players. Hastings wasn't retained twice which should be enough of an indication.

 

[earl]

BB, I don’t believe there are 400k halfbacks these days.

The dollars make a difference. I did a spreadsheet to try and understand how much you can pay players. I'd have 600k as the standard halfback contract. So I'd have Brooks in the top 50% of halfbacks in the comp. He is probably better than that right now if Mitchell Moses makes origin. So anything over $600k to me is marquee player dollars. That might be cool but you can't spend that money on other players.

 

[balmain boy]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

BB, I don't believe there are 400k halfbacks these days. Brooks played well. Kicks to wingers to pin them deep in their territory is 101 of footy. Twice he straightened the attack to set up tries plus his floating bombs and kick for Maumolo. His combination with Doueihi, Laurie and Liddle will be significant in the team improving. I expect even more improvement once Sheens arrives.

But he didn't pin them back. He gave them easy starts from 30m out, as he does far too often. If he can find the grass and have wingers getting tackled within 10m of their tryline then he's succeeded. Or if the bomb is high enough that kick chasers can get here and contest he's succeeded. Too many bombs are more like chip kicks that produce no benefit to us, and his complete reluctance to grubber the ball these days after giving away so many 7 tackle sets is worrying.

We need a dominant, vocal halfback. One who controls the team and kicks to put us on the advantage. That just isn't Brooks' game - He's the player that complements a dominant half.

 

[rustycage]

I do think Brooks has improved immensely over the last couple of months. Prior to that though he was underwhelming and the weakness in his game with communication, organisation, kicking and leading were obvious to many here. I hope he can stay but I would be open to him trying another position eg hooker or centre if WT are looking for Hastings to be the 7 and Doueihi at 6. We have to settle the 4 x key spine positions to build upon.

I said this before. Totally agree.

 

[avocadoontoast]

We need a dominant, vocal halfback. One who controls the team and kicks to put us on the advantage. That just isn’t Brooks’ game - He’s the player that complements a dominant half.

If not Brooks, who do you think would be a good fit for our team at halfback BB?

 

[Lauren]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

BB, I don't believe there are 400k halfbacks these days. Brooks played well. Kicks to wingers to pin them deep in their territory is 101 of footy. Twice he straightened the attack to set up tries plus his floating bombs and kick for Maumolo. His combination with Doueihi, Laurie and Liddle will be significant in the team improving. I expect even more improvement once Sheens arrives.

But he didn't pin them back. He gave them easy starts from 30m out, as he does far too often. If he can find the grass and have wingers getting tackled within 10m of their tryline then he's succeeded. Or if the bomb is high enough that kick chasers can get here and contest he's succeeded. Too many bombs are more like chip kicks that **produce no benefit to us**, and his complete reluctance to grubber the ball these days after giving away so many 7 tackle sets is worrying.

We need a dominant, vocal halfback. One who controls the team and kicks to put us on the advantage. That just isn't Brooks' game - He's the player that complements a dominant half.

Actually during the Panthers v Eels game a few weeks back it was mentioned that Brooks is 2nd in the NRL for tries off kicks - with Mitch Moses leading.
So this kind of refutes the argument most kicks provide no benefit to us.

 

[clokan]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

Criticism of Brooks earlier in the year was warranted, but on his current form I say he is in the top 8 halfbacks, to replace him with an unproven Hastings, in my opinion would be silly.

I though the pass was OK, more a case of Ken sitting back rather than running onto it. Maybe Brooks had noticed Ken’s laid back approach hence why he kicked to Nofo until Ken got his arse into gear.

 

[WT46]

What a bounce back from Brooksy. Show more love and support for the guy. Anyone else on Brooks island??

 

[Speed2burn]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

Criticism of Brooks earlier in the year was warranted, but on his current form I say he is in the top 8 halfbacks, to replace him with an unproven Hastings, in my opinion would be silly.

I though the pass was OK, more a case of Ken sitting back rather than running onto it. Maybe Brooks had noticed Ken’s laid back approach hence why he kicked to Nofo until Ken got his arse into gear.

That pass was definitely on, just lack of communication / and or positioning from Ken

Obviously must be some sort of game plan but I don’t understand why Brooks does the sole kicking. We all know Doueihi can kick a ball, yet he rarely does it in general play.

Kicking meters
Doueihi - 2 for 56 meters
Brooks - 16 for 481 meters

 

[GCfan]

Brooks played tremendously well last Sunday. He didn't overplay his role and fed Doueihi and his backs. That floating bomb and his cross field kicks create pressure on opposition. Interestingly, is was Maumolo who attacked the ball and we scored.

I know he's a Balmain junior but are you serious paws? He was average, at best. Passed the ball over the sideline under no pressure. Most of his kicks went straight to the wingers on the full, he repeatedly kicked to a mismatch in Nof v Oates, rather than the wing we had an advantage in Ken v Isakko, once he changed we scored. Defence was mostly fine as usual, but really all he did was shuffle the ball to whomever was standing next to him. He put up 2 good kicks, but across an entire match that's just not enough.

He's currently playing as a 400k halfback, but earning double that. That's the problem. If we can swap him for Tapine, do it.

BB, I don't believe there are 400k halfbacks these days. Brooks played well. Kicks to wingers to pin them deep in their territory is 101 of footy. Twice he straightened the attack to set up tries plus his floating bombs and kick for Maumolo. His combination with Doueihi, Laurie and Liddle will be significant in the team improving. I expect even more improvement once Sheens arrives.

But he didn't pin them back. He gave them easy starts from 30m out, as he does far too often. If he can find the grass and have wingers getting tackled within 10m of their tryline then he's succeeded. Or if the bomb is high enough that kick chasers can get here and contest he's succeeded. Too many bombs are more like chip kicks that produce no benefit to us, and his complete reluctance to grubber the ball these days after giving away so many 7 tackle sets is worrying.

We need a dominant, vocal halfback. One who controls the team and kicks to put us on the advantage. That just isn't Brooks' game - He's the player that complements a dominant half.

I was at the game on Sunday and his kicking looked good in real time. He found the grass a bit too which he was never doing previously. What I did find interesting was Douehi didn’t kick at all.

 

[WT2K]

Mole Warning

 

[TigerWest]

Mole Warning

How good is "the Mole's" info?

 

[jadtiger]

Mole Warning

How good is "the Mole's" info?

Usually poor to very poor

 

[cktiger]

First time I've ever cheered for the Sharks and Raiders.

 

[WT2K]

Mole Warning

How good is "the Mole's" info?

More miss than hit with his info