Luke Brooks

[bigsiro]

As the former president of the Brooks bash club .. let me say he isn’t the best 7 and he’s far from the worst..

He’s the least of our issues !

Thanks for reading !

So, is there a role vacancy?

 

[Tigpies2041]

He is good enough and we don't have to break the bank to keep him. He is far from perfect but I'd rather Brooks on the contract he is than have signed Reynolds for $700k+ considering he is already 31. Now Brooks has to aim up for next year with Hastings providing competition for a halves spot. He has turned into a good defender, no longer scared of contact and has room to improve.

 

[hobbo1]

As the former president of the Brooks bash club .. let me say he isn’t the best 7 and he’s far from the worst..

He’s the least of our issues !

Thanks for reading !


So, is there a role vacancy?

Only if we could get a better player that wants to be here ?

 

[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.

But that's only a small part of the picture.

Most kicks aren't about scoring, they're about tactics, about dominating field position, winning the arm wrestle for territory. There's no point in setting up tries via kicks if your kicks also indirectly allow the opposition to score by gifting them field position. That's one major reasons why we keep losing games despite scoring 20+ points.

Of course making more metres with the ball in hand and players being able to defend as a team are also crucial, but when you lose the battle for field position you usually also lose the match.

I honestly don't care how we score points and can't believe it's being used in an argument as justification to discredit a player.
Not really suggesting anything other than he's not as poor as most believe. Look It's obviously still a work in progress but it's clear he's been practising his kicking technique and this isn't really a negative when it also helps with his onfield adaptability and decision making skills.
But I can absolutely agree that there's a lot of room for improvement.
So yeah I was only basically saying don't think his efforts - to hone his kicking skills - always deserves knocking. Especially when it's an area that's he's been so bad with and he's only attempting to build on his skillset. And has shown promise in the area I noted.

Tbh I only feel Luke has major flaws with his leadership ability but there's been some noticeable changes in how he performs and especially how manages any (team) demands.
He's always taken any setbacks as an opportunity to grow his game but this year has demonstrated more that he's capable of setting an example for the playing group and holds himself to a higher standard - probably at the detriment of his own game - and will often follow through with commitment. All great traits.
Simply needs to start being more vocal or communicative on the field in distributing responsibilities/ownership to his teammates IMO.

 

[earl]

I don't think getting rid of Brooks is a particularly smart idea. The NRL isn't brimming with good halfbacks at the moment.

He's the least of our problems and one of a few who can actually tackle in the squad

Yeah I think he's played pretty well lately. I wouldn't be moving him on unless it was an offer too good to refuse. But even then, who's going to play halfback? I suggested AD and Hastings once and was shut down (correctly) because they are too slow together. If we let go of Brooks we'd have to have another 7 lined up, and i'm not sure who that could possibly be.

I think Hastings and AD could work. I just don't see why you would get rid of one of our better players especially in a position with so few quality options.

 

[cktiger]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for Great Britain.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for England.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.

You don’t think Brooks would play well in ESL? Regardless, the fact you are excited over Hastings shows you are just as accepting of mediocrity as you think Brooks supporters are

 

[TrueTiger]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for England.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.

You don’t think Brooks would play well in ESL? Regardless, the fact you are excited over Hastings shows you are just as accepting of mediocrity as you think Brooks supporters are

Not bashing Brooks because he has stepped up this year and is doing a very good job,however Im excited to see two new talents in the squad that have good reputations and will be good assets in the backline(even though Hastings has been touted as a lock)...

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Left field idea, can Brooks be transformed into a hooker/ball-playing lock at this stage of his career? Would obviously need to work on the nuances of the role & build his tank a bit more for the increased defence. But he can defend, he is as solid as any other small hooker in his contact, he is low-to-the-ground, good passing game, can kick & importantly has quick acceleration. He doesn't fit Madge's profile for a lock but the way the game is going, he may be an exciting alternative when breaking from dummy half duties. Food for thought.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chat on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

You have no idea . It’s just because you’re sick of him, nothing to do with his ability. You and snake dislike him so much , it’s to a point of being personal . Or you have an issue with his family . It’s hate for hates sake , hidden by a thin visage of it being about “mediocrity”.

The closest thing I have to brooks was , when he was at holy Cross , I lived around the corner from there . Before you call me his mother or uncle or whatever family member lol

 

[bigsiro]

As the former president of the Brooks bash club .. let me say he isn’t the best 7 and he’s far from the worst..

He’s the least of our issues !

Thanks for reading !


So, is there a role vacancy?

Only if we could get a better player that wants to be here ?

I mean for the presidency ?

 

[hobbo1]

As the former president of the Brooks bash club .. let me say he isn’t the best 7 and he’s far from the worst..

He’s the least of our issues !

Thanks for reading !


So, is there a role vacancy?

Only if we could get a better player that wants to be here ?

I mean for the presidency ?

You get the honour ?
Go hard … no slacking off now ?

 

[Snake]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chat on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

You have no idea . It’s just because you’re sick of him, nothing to do with his ability. You and snake dislike him so much , it’s to a point of being personal . Or you have an issue with his family . It’s hate for hates sake , hidden by a thin visage of it being about “mediocrity”.

I do not disliked Luke at all .. I just feel he has gone as far as he can at the club .. 9yrs is long enough .
He is a very capable player that is NRL standard . Sometimes you have to brake the mould the team is going nowhere and has been for years with him and 7 this needs to change ,of course he is not all the problem but that position needs a reboot !
If he stays and plays on good luck to him and maybe having serious competition for his spot might bring him out .
As i have said previously the position needs to have someone that talks / organisers and is driven . A change for Luke would do him wonders that’s my opinion no hate here!

 

[Needaname]

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.

How they trained all preseason would you believe

 

[GNR4LIFE]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chat on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

You have no idea . It’s just because you’re sick of him, nothing to do with his ability. You and snake dislike him so much , it’s to a point of being personal . Or you have an issue with his family . It’s hate for hates sake , hidden by a thin visage of it being about “mediocrity”.

The closest thing I have to brooks was , when he was at holy Cross , I lived around the corner from there . Before you call me his mother or uncle or whatever family member lol

The hate for Brooks is a walk in the park to the hate for Noffa. Now THAT is personal with a lot of people.

 

[cktiger]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for England.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.

You don’t think Brooks would play well in ESL? Regardless, the fact you are excited over Hastings shows you are just as accepting of mediocrity as you think Brooks supporters are

For starters, I’m sure Brooks would go well in ESL.
Whether he would ever be chosen as the best player in the competition, like Hastings was, is another thing.
Secondly, I’m only excited at Hastings arrival in respect that he will, hopefully, replace Brooks.
Unlike some death riders I’ll wait until Hastings actually plays here before deciding he’s a dud.
Who knows, he may prove to be mediocre or even surprise his knockers and be good.

 

[Speed2burn]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for Great Britain.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.

He was nurtured into a team that had won a comp the previous year with the best coaching staff and some of the games best players had to offer yet he still couldn’t find his feet. For any young player coming through, that would be the dream.

You’re basing his skill set off a competition that is probably slightly higher standard than Canterbury cup (no offense)

 

[Needaname]

Good teams/businesses/managers know when to hold them when to fold them.
Like Brooks always have always will.
But we are going through a period of CHANGE of not only roster but approach and a player like Hastings was HEAD HUNTED to drive that.
Now Brooks has been in probably his best form since 2018 this past couple of months.
His stocks are HIGH.
Sharks are at this stage having sacked their 2 HALFBACKS are looking to keep one FIVE EIGHT/FULLBACK and pair him with another FIVE EIGHT/FULLBACK.
There chances next year are extremely LOW.
A Brooks Nicko pairing would make plenty of sense.
So much so that they may just take Brooks at FULL FREIGHT.

Is that not a reason to oblige?

 

[cktiger]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chat on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

You have no idea . It’s just because you’re sick of him, nothing to do with his ability. You and snake dislike him so much , it’s to a point of being personal . Or you have an issue with his family . It’s hate for hates sake , hidden by a thin visage of it being about “mediocrity”.

The closest thing I have to brooks was , when he was at holy Cross , I lived around the corner from there . Before you call me his mother or uncle or whatever family member lol

Ever thought of writing fiction stories?
You don’t even seem to read a post before jumping in to defend your old mate Luke and waffling on without actually addressing the post.
I don’t hate him, nor do I have any issues with him that don’t relate to his value to the team.
You can dream up any scenario you want to justify criticism levelled towards him but none of it relates to hate… and really, who cares what your relationship to him might be?
I hope he leaves and will wish him well wherever he ends up.
But then again, you are the self appointed expert…I have no idea.

 

[Needaname]

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

Why exactly?

I feel like it’s been repeated a billion times, but until we get someone better that would be terrible business. Nobody even knows if Hastings will cut it in the NRL, he sure as hell didn’t in the 48 games he played for 2 fairly strong clubs

Play the ball not the man.

Been waiting 9 long years for Brooks to get us anywhere.
Every excuse in the book has been used to gloss over the fact that he just doesn’t have it.
I’d gladly take a chance on Hastings than live through more years of mediocrity.
Besides, who knows who else might be in the wings?

I’m not saying Hastings will be a total failure but I don’t have high hopes he can turn the club around. He was an immense failure at two clubs here that had a stack of representatives around him

He’s admittedly done well in England
But like I said he could very well be a flop here as the game is even faster now than before

Keeps Brooks and Doueihi as halves and have Hastings as the bench utility, I think would be the safe option

Then atleast the following year you have mbyes money to go big on a couple of players

Interesting how you come to the conclusion he was an ‘immense failure’ at two clubs here.
He played 34 games for the Roosters over 2 years when he was just a kid and only left Manly because of a fallout with DCE.
Since then he’s won a comp in England, been named Man of Steel and played for Great Britain.
In all that time, and before it, Brooks has taken the Tigers to a big fat zilch.


He was nurtured into a team that had won a comp the previous year with the best coaching staff and some of the games best players had to offer yet he still couldn’t find his feet. For any young player coming through, that would be the dream.

You’re basing his skill set off a competition that is probably slightly higher standard than Canterbury cup (no offense)

Go back and look at who they played in round 13 of 2016. The lack of players they had available because of injury / recruitment change and suspension. Check out the score of that game also.