Luke Brooks

[gallagher]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

Not for mine and whilst he would go okay as a centre, I saw a natural 6 in the limited time that he was there for us. He won't need the yard of pace he lacked at fullback as he has a step and goid hands, plus his spiral bomb is going to be a weapon on top of Brooks carrying out the bread and butter kicking role.

I still think he is a centre that could possibly make the transition to 5/8th.

Would love for Doueihi to be forced to play centre, as that would mean a better player in the 6. In the meantime he has the skills that will flourish with Roberts outside him gaining attention as well.

I can see his long body with arms free giving good offloads to players in space.

His greatest strength is his footwork through the line, he has a good passing game from left to right, the spiral passes he was throwing in the game against the eels were a standout. His weaknesses are his lack of pace, inconsistent passing right to left and defense in the front line.

I am fairly confident he can transition to 5/8th but he needs to improve those weaknesses to be considered a high quality 5/8th.

Rewatching a few of the 2020 games in my spare time, his right to left passing isnt as bad as I thought. Last year he set up a number of tries chiming in on the left from fullback with select passes. Pace wise wasnt he carrying a niggling injury? Hopefully improves this year but not as vital in the 5/8 jersey.

Yeah he threw a few nice passes right to left but even those were floaty, he hasn't shown a spiral right to left he also missed some passes on that side as well. It really is more so he hasn't displayed the ability to move the ball quickly right to left. Left to right is another story though and some of those passes were bullets.

Quite a few cut outs to Noff if I recall.

Yeah they were rippers, he will go well playing on the right.

Me too. I think the threat / presence of BJ gave Noff a lot of room that Doueihi exploited well.

 

[cochise]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

Not for mine and whilst he would go okay as a centre, I saw a natural 6 in the limited time that he was there for us. He won't need the yard of pace he lacked at fullback as he has a step and goid hands, plus his spiral bomb is going to be a weapon on top of Brooks carrying out the bread and butter kicking role.

I still think he is a centre that could possibly make the transition to 5/8th.

Would love for Doueihi to be forced to play centre, as that would mean a better player in the 6. In the meantime he has the skills that will flourish with Roberts outside him gaining attention as well.

I can see his long body with arms free giving good offloads to players in space.

His greatest strength is his footwork through the line, he has a good passing game from left to right, the spiral passes he was throwing in the game against the eels were a standout. His weaknesses are his lack of pace, inconsistent passing right to left and defense in the front line.

I am fairly confident he can transition to 5/8th but he needs to improve those weaknesses to be considered a high quality 5/8th.

Rewatching a few of the 2020 games in my spare time, his right to left passing isnt as bad as I thought. Last year he set up a number of tries chiming in on the left from fullback with select passes. Pace wise wasnt he carrying a niggling injury? Hopefully improves this year but not as vital in the 5/8 jersey.

Yeah he threw a few nice passes right to left but even those were floaty, he hasn't shown a spiral right to left he also missed some passes on that side as well. It really is more so he hasn't displayed the ability to move the ball quickly right to left. Left to right is another story though and some of those passes were bullets.

Quite a few cut outs to Noff if I recall.

Yeah they were rippers, he will go well playing on the right.

Me too. I think the threat / presence of BJ gave Noff a lot of room that Doueihi exploited well.

Agreed, just want to see him improve his defence and passing right to left to make him a more all round threat.

I know most people say halves play split now so it doesn't matter but it gives you much more versatility and redundancy if they can pass both sides.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

Not for mine and whilst he would go okay as a centre, I saw a natural 6 in the limited time that he was there for us. He won't need the yard of pace he lacked at fullback as he has a step and goid hands, plus his spiral bomb is going to be a weapon on top of Brooks carrying out the bread and butter kicking role.

I still think he is a centre that could possibly make the transition to 5/8th.

Would love for Doueihi to be forced to play centre, as that would mean a better player in the 6. In the meantime he has the skills that will flourish with Roberts outside him gaining attention as well.

I can see his long body with arms free giving good offloads to players in space.

His greatest strength is his footwork through the line, he has a good passing game from left to right, the spiral passes he was throwing in the game against the eels were a standout. His weaknesses are his lack of pace, inconsistent passing right to left and defense in the front line.

I am fairly confident he can transition to 5/8th but he needs to improve those weaknesses to be considered a high quality 5/8th.

Rewatching a few of the 2020 games in my spare time, his right to left passing isnt as bad as I thought. Last year he set up a number of tries chiming in on the left from fullback with select passes. Pace wise wasnt he carrying a niggling injury? Hopefully improves this year but not as vital in the 5/8 jersey.

Yeah he threw a few nice passes right to left but even those were floaty, he hasn't shown a spiral right to left he also missed some passes on that side as well. It really is more so he hasn't displayed the ability to move the ball quickly right to left. Left to right is another story though and some of those passes were bullets.

Quite a few cut outs to Noff if I recall.

Yeah they were rippers, he will go well playing on the right.

Me too. I think the threat / presence of BJ gave Noff a lot of room that Doueihi exploited well.

Agreed, just want to see him improve his defence and passing right to left to make him a more all round threat.

I know most people say halves play split now so it doesn't matter but it gives you much more versatility and redundancy if they can pass both sides.

Yea his initial contact sux . It’s like he hasn’t worked out how big he is . He’ll figure it out .

 

[cochise]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

Not for mine and whilst he would go okay as a centre, I saw a natural 6 in the limited time that he was there for us. He won't need the yard of pace he lacked at fullback as he has a step and goid hands, plus his spiral bomb is going to be a weapon on top of Brooks carrying out the bread and butter kicking role.

I still think he is a centre that could possibly make the transition to 5/8th.

Would love for Doueihi to be forced to play centre, as that would mean a better player in the 6. In the meantime he has the skills that will flourish with Roberts outside him gaining attention as well.

I can see his long body with arms free giving good offloads to players in space.

His greatest strength is his footwork through the line, he has a good passing game from left to right, the spiral passes he was throwing in the game against the eels were a standout. His weaknesses are his lack of pace, inconsistent passing right to left and defense in the front line.

I am fairly confident he can transition to 5/8th but he needs to improve those weaknesses to be considered a high quality 5/8th.

Rewatching a few of the 2020 games in my spare time, his right to left passing isnt as bad as I thought. Last year he set up a number of tries chiming in on the left from fullback with select passes. Pace wise wasnt he carrying a niggling injury? Hopefully improves this year but not as vital in the 5/8 jersey.

Yeah he threw a few nice passes right to left but even those were floaty, he hasn't shown a spiral right to left he also missed some passes on that side as well. It really is more so he hasn't displayed the ability to move the ball quickly right to left. Left to right is another story though and some of those passes were bullets.

Quite a few cut outs to Noff if I recall.

Yeah they were rippers, he will go well playing on the right.

Me too. I think the threat / presence of BJ gave Noff a lot of room that Doueihi exploited well.

Agreed, just want to see him improve his defence and passing right to left to make him a more all round threat.

I know most people say halves play split now so it doesn't matter but it gives you much more versatility and redundancy if they can pass both sides.

Yea his initial contact sux . It’s like he hasn’t worked out how big he is . He’ll figure it out .

Spot on mate, I know I'm fairly tough on him, but I do think he will get there, I am more worried about our lack of other options if he doesn't.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

Not for mine and whilst he would go okay as a centre, I saw a natural 6 in the limited time that he was there for us. He won't need the yard of pace he lacked at fullback as he has a step and goid hands, plus his spiral bomb is going to be a weapon on top of Brooks carrying out the bread and butter kicking role.

I still think he is a centre that could possibly make the transition to 5/8th.

Would love for Doueihi to be forced to play centre, as that would mean a better player in the 6. In the meantime he has the skills that will flourish with Roberts outside him gaining attention as well.

I can see his long body with arms free giving good offloads to players in space.

His greatest strength is his footwork through the line, he has a good passing game from left to right, the spiral passes he was throwing in the game against the eels were a standout. His weaknesses are his lack of pace, inconsistent passing right to left and defense in the front line.

I am fairly confident he can transition to 5/8th but he needs to improve those weaknesses to be considered a high quality 5/8th.

Rewatching a few of the 2020 games in my spare time, his right to left passing isnt as bad as I thought. Last year he set up a number of tries chiming in on the left from fullback with select passes. Pace wise wasnt he carrying a niggling injury? Hopefully improves this year but not as vital in the 5/8 jersey.

Yeah he threw a few nice passes right to left but even those were floaty, he hasn't shown a spiral right to left he also missed some passes on that side as well. It really is more so he hasn't displayed the ability to move the ball quickly right to left. Left to right is another story though and some of those passes were bullets.

Quite a few cut outs to Noff if I recall.

Yeah they were rippers, he will go well playing on the right.

Me too. I think the threat / presence of BJ gave Noff a lot of room that Doueihi exploited well.

Agreed, just want to see him improve his defence and passing right to left to make him a more all round threat.

I know most people say halves play split now so it doesn't matter but it gives you much more versatility and redundancy if they can pass both sides.

Per others above, his left side pass is serviceable and dare I say we got by with a nine that also had a weaker side there last season as well. If working a link role in the halves to the left he won't require a long pass as he will get a sweet one from the ruck 🙂

Unlike at the back, I have little to no concern on his defence in the line, though every half gets run through by a backrower occasionally and will go further to state that that position will easily show the biggest upgrade for the side from last year.

 

[happy_tiger]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

if we win round 1 then AD shoukd not be a walk up start for round 2

Canberra at Canberra without Douehi and we win ...be a memorable win

 

[happy_tiger]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

What BUILD do you need to be a 6 .....lol ....like Munster and Wighton are poles apart ....Lamb ,Kenny ,Lewis ,Lyons .....

Is this because you don't want tallies passing to shorties

This is going to be interesting

Am I on drugs , or does it appear Munster , Doueihi , and Wighton all have similar builds ? Not to mention people like Anasta and Fittler , Daley , Lewis etc before them . Keary is 2 foot nothing and was a 6 , same with Moses , and Luai isn’t exactly big .
I’d hardly say there’s a Prototype anymore . It’s whoever is the best man for the job .

I think you need to be able to make your tackles , be creative and take pressure off your 7 if he is the key attacker

 

[Guest]

Bouncing back: Regaining reins can bring out best in Brooks
Author
Dominic Brock
NRL.com Sub Editor
Timestamp
Thu 4 Feb 2021, 02:28 PM

As part of an NRL.com series on players aiming for a bounce-back season, Dominic Brock analyses what went wrong for a one-time Dally M Halfback of the Year.

A highly rated youngster touted as a future NSW halfback and the Wests Tigers' player of the year in 2018 and 2019, Luke Brooks had a year to forget in 2020.

Two seasons after winning the Dally M Halfback of the Year award and just months after being named in a 34-man extended NSW Blues squad, Brooks had arguably a career-worst campaign, which included being dropped to the bench for three matches.

He finished the year with just three try assists – easily the lowest return since his first full season when he made 12 on the way to the NRL's Rookie of the Year award.

In that time his previous lowest number of try assists in a season was nine, in 2017, and he made a career-best 16 in 2019.

His short kicking game wasn't particularly effective either. After a career-best 22 forced drop-outs in 2018 and 15 in 2019, Brooks only had six last season – his worst result in six years.

So can he turn it around this year?

The main man again
Even though Brooks is heading into his eighth full season in first grade, he was an early starter, debuting at the age of 18 in late 2013 with a terrific performance in which he scored a try and set up two others.

He's still only 26, a couple of years shy of Roosters star Luke Keary and five years younger than Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. While he may not be on the level of that duo – or 26-year-old Queensland star Cameron Munster or 23-year-old NSW halfback Nathan Cleary – he's by no means a spent force.

He beat all four of those players in Dally M voting in 2018, ranking third overall and just three points behind winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

And if Brooks needs a reminder that playmakers can bounce back later in their careers, he need look no further than his 2020 halves partner.

Benji Marshall, at 35, was in great touch for the Tigers last season with 17 try assists, after contributing just five a couple of years earlier in Brooks's Dally M year.

Not only did Benji's performances show the way forward for Brooks, but his absence this year after moving to the Rabbitohs means he is once again the team's undisputed chief playmaker.

It's clear Brooks was simply less involved last year than he had been in previous seasons. He averaged 46 touches per game, down from 56 a year earlier. His number of kicks per game declined from 11 to less than eight, and his offload count dropped from 30 in 2019 to just nine last season.

All of those numbers can improve if Brooks embraces the role of the team's primary playmaker, alongside a ball-running five-eighth like Adam Doueihi or Moses Mbye.

Case for the defence
The real low point of Brooks's 2020 season came in round 10, when he was dropped to the bench for the first what would be a three-week stretch as an interchange player.

It was the first time he'd ever started on the bench in an NRL game, and followed a match in when he produced six missed tackles in a loss to Souths – two of which led to line breaks and one which led directly to a try.

In three games off the bench and for the rest of the season – when he returned to the starting side at five-eighth and then his usual halfback spot – Brooks didn't make six missed tackles in a game again.

In one sense, his brief demotion to the bench did the trick.

But while his defensive errors decreased, so did just about everything else. Brooks's line breaks, tackle breaks, offloads, tackles, run metres and kick metres all declined in the second half of the season – even when he was back in the 80-minute role.

That coincided with Marshall being used as the team's dominant playmaker, a role Brooks will need to reclaim this season. At the very least Brooks will be the go-to player when directing the team around the park and kicking in general play.

If he can get his groove back in attack without becoming a liability in defence, there's no reason why he can't regain the kind of form that earned him the halfback of the year award a few seasons back.

 

[happy_tiger]

Bouncing back: Regaining reins can bring out best in Brooks
Author
Dominic Brock
NRL.com Sub Editor
Timestamp
Thu 4 Feb 2021, 02:28 PM

As part of an NRL.com series on players aiming for a bounce-back season, Dominic Brock analyses what went wrong for a one-time Dally M Halfback of the Year.

A highly rated youngster touted as a future NSW halfback and the Wests Tigers' player of the year in 2018 and 2019, Luke Brooks had a year to forget in 2020.

Two seasons after winning the Dally M Halfback of the Year award and just months after being named in a 34-man extended NSW Blues squad, Brooks had arguably a career-worst campaign, which included being dropped to the bench for three matches.

He finished the year with just three try assists – easily the lowest return since his first full season when he made 12 on the way to the NRL's Rookie of the Year award.

In that time his previous lowest number of try assists in a season was nine, in 2017, and he made a career-best 16 in 2019.

His short kicking game wasn't particularly effective either. After a career-best 22 forced drop-outs in 2018 and 15 in 2019, Brooks only had six last season – his worst result in six years.

So can he turn it around this year?

The main man again
Even though Brooks is heading into his eighth full season in first grade, he was an early starter, debuting at the age of 18 in late 2013 with a terrific performance in which he scored a try and set up two others.

He's still only 26, a couple of years shy of Roosters star Luke Keary and five years younger than Kangaroos halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. While he may not be on the level of that duo – or 26-year-old Queensland star Cameron Munster or 23-year-old NSW halfback Nathan Cleary – he's by no means a spent force.

He beat all four of those players in Dally M voting in 2018, ranking third overall and just three points behind winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

And if Brooks needs a reminder that playmakers can bounce back later in their careers, he need look no further than his 2020 halves partner.

Benji Marshall, at 35, was in great touch for the Tigers last season with 17 try assists, after contributing just five a couple of years earlier in Brooks's Dally M year.

Not only did Benji's performances show the way forward for Brooks, but his absence this year after moving to the Rabbitohs means he is once again the team's undisputed chief playmaker.

It's clear Brooks was simply less involved last year than he had been in previous seasons. He averaged 46 touches per game, down from 56 a year earlier. His number of kicks per game declined from 11 to less than eight, and his offload count dropped from 30 in 2019 to just nine last season.

All of those numbers can improve if Brooks embraces the role of the team's primary playmaker, alongside a ball-running five-eighth like Adam Doueihi or Moses Mbye.

Case for the defence
The real low point of Brooks's 2020 season came in round 10, when he was dropped to the bench for the first what would be a three-week stretch as an interchange player.

It was the first time he'd ever started on the bench in an NRL game, and followed a match in when he produced six missed tackles in a loss to Souths – two of which led to line breaks and one which led directly to a try.

In three games off the bench and for the rest of the season – when he returned to the starting side at five-eighth and then his usual halfback spot – Brooks didn't make six missed tackles in a game again.

In one sense, his brief demotion to the bench did the trick.

But while his defensive errors decreased, so did just about everything else. Brooks's line breaks, tackle breaks, offloads, tackles, run metres and kick metres all declined in the second half of the season – even when he was back in the 80-minute role.

That coincided with Marshall being used as the team's dominant playmaker, a role Brooks will need to reclaim this season. At the very least Brooks will be the go-to player when directing the team around the park and kicking in general play.

If he can get his groove back in attack without becoming a liability in defence, there's no reason why he can't regain the kind of form that earned him the halfback of the year award a few seasons back.

One word .....IF .....small word but huge consequences with our 2021 season

 

[cleanskin]

Pre season fluff. Actions speak louder.

 

[Lauren]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449

 

[twentyforty]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449

Brooksy doesn’t say much in that interview, but Just the same I think he’s in for a big season as chief playmaker.
Round 5 2020, when Benji was dropped, Brooks had a great game against Canberra. I thought we had the momentum to win that game until Packer came on and in spite of Mbye’s poor game. This season He will have Lucy and Joey as body guards and a pretty solid forward pack.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

@twentyforty Yes was going to say the same thing. Brooksy kinda cuts it short in every interview, repeats words and almost not knowing how to respond. Anyway actions speak louder than words so lets see how he transmits it to the field

 

[JC99]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449


Brooksy doesn’t say much in that interview, but Just the same I think he’s in for a big season as chief playmaker.
Round 5 2020, when Benji was dropped, Brooks had a great game against Canberra. I thought we had the momentum to win that game until Packer came on and in spite of Mbye’s poor game. This season He will have Lucy and Joey as body guards and a pretty solid forward pack.

He's been doing interviews about finally being the chief player maker for about 5 years now

 

[tony soprano]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449

Thanks mate he spoke well

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Luke Brooks is my king and should be yours too.

 

[diedpretty]

Has there ever been a player given so many excuses for under performing as Brooks?
He's got talent but obviously not much nous.
Keep taking the wrong options this year and he'll be saying goodbye.
Looks like we might finally have a younger halfback to put some pressure on him.

The excuses just keep rolling in it seems.

It Grants service
It's Benji
It's our forwards
It's the game plan
It's the coach
It's the bus driver
It's his mum not putting enough Vegemite on his toast
It's the weather
It's the culture
It's Mabo
It's the serenity
It's Brooks life matters
It's covid
It's the price of Bananas after a cyclone
It's the colour of his boots
It's the ball
It's the refs
It's the vibe
It's the media putting big wraps on him too early
It's his carspot at training
It's single mums
It's the phase of the moon
It's Demons
It's the Devil

3 try assists,
C'mon Lukey boy you can do better mate.

Is there a halfback under more pressure in 2021?

You are not the only fan disappointed with how his career has gone. But please be more reasonable in your assessment.
Can you name one halfback who would've been competent in taking this team to the finals over the last 7 years? Or capable of making us a Top 4 quality team in the same period? A halfback good enough to elevate this whole team?
Because I'm not sure if I'm following you correctly and it sounds like you think Brooks is a big failure for not successfully doing this by now.
That would've been a complete miracle, considering the sole responsibility doesn't fall on one player but rather how the team is made up and plays as a unit. The most ever-changing one in the NRL, at that. With the coaching instability to go with it.

Fair enough you feel a certain way and think he's unable to lead the team to glory but some of your points relate to factors which are not of Luke's account and exclude the biggest reason or highest contributing factors on why teams are excelling. (They have had dominant forward packs, well established combinations with their spine players, great strike players etc., etc.).
I believe the last time we had a team that closely resembled this was in 2010 and 2011.
So, it's any wonder the trajectory of his development and career has gone so wayward given the inconsistency has always been at foundation level.
Honestly don't see how any player in his position could've thrived in this environment. I otherwise couldn't agree more you though, that last year should be the biggest wake up call for him.

Did you see the stats of the halfbacks of the teams that finished below us last year?

Not to be rude but could you please stop talking in riddles?!?
There's absolutely no benefit to it, as it only means topics will continue to go around in circles.

Luke absolutely sucked in 2020. We've covered this - time and time again.
Same goes with discussions on his development.
To answer your question though, the answer is no. Why relive something that adds nothing new to the conversation?
Fans are probably 50/50 on Brooks. So it's not like your thoughts or feelings are that ground breaking either.

The Harry and Liddle comparisons are also getting a little annoying.
Harry's a gun but stop acting like the system he's at and its culture isn't vital to shaping his talent development or trajectory of his career.
Being part of an elite breeding ground will always Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon a club treading above water and criticising players for their injury history is just plain stupid IMO.
Even more so, start having some faith in the club. Though our expectations are mostly hypothetical at this point, things are run a lot differently now and it's only a matter of time when this will reflect on the field.

The lack of objectivity drives me crazy more than anything . I don’t care which side of the fence you sit , but to downright make comments like “he hasn’t played well the last couple of years “ is absolute dog crap . He won our player of the year in 2019 . And Happy saying he hasn’t played well for 8 years . Makes me think those people are either dumb as , or subscribing to the Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon way of debating . Just pretend anything that undermines your point never happens and it’s all fake news .

heard it all now ......im saying if Brook doesnt fire this season he needs to go ....and now im a Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon supporter ......you really cant stand people taking a contrary opinion to yours

I don’t know about anyone else …but if I failed in my job for 7/8 years running and had one good year …I am looking for a new

So that wasn’t you ? . Once again your doing exactly what my point was . Just make stuff up , to deflect from the fact , and deny ever actually saying stuff , that undermines your position.
? Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon playbook. I didn’t say supporter just the tactic .

We don't make the 8 ...he is the top line playmaker ...hey has to own it ...and funnily does own it in pressers he does ...but you don't ??

What are you talking about ? I’m talking about you , not brooks .
If brooks plays like a busted , especially with madden waiting in the wings , of course he should be replaced . But I literally rewatched 4 games today . Rounds 17-20 last year , because I wanted to see what was real or not . And brooks in all 4 games was one of our best . But he didn’t get the try asisots so . He sux . If I was using advanced metrics , I would devise a stat for points scored down a side , or points initiated . Because the way our systems work , brooks set up a lot of half chances or cutout balls to Mbye or AD or a centre to put the wing away. Maybe not the games before those rounds . I didn’t go back and watch to be honest , but those 4 games , whilst he only had I think 2 try assists , the expansion of play , and his desire to put his backs in a position to do thier thing was obvious . Benji got all the try assists , yet drifted into his centres space so much , and almost literally took the try assists away form Mbye and AD , talau and Joey . Go watch . I’m not making this up .
Brooks needs to get his try assists up in one way alone . Kicks . His kicking game near the line was anus , and a big contributor to his drop in try assists .

why are you talking about me .....am I playing in the 6 jersey

Your stretching mate .....none of the games you mentioned stood out to anyone here ...2020 is history

and will say for the 100th time if Brooks fails in 2021 he has to go

Yeah briliant! Who would you buy ?

No need to buy anyone..
His name is Jock Madden

Even if he is the bees knees mate he’s likely to know his trade well in about 2025

As i have said many times,Brooks 1/2 and Madden 5/8 will turn this side around .

Madden is a 7 ...anyway ...you've got such great ideas ..Madge hAS to get you on the selection committee

I'M well aware Madden is a 6.I'm also well aware that Doeihie is not a 6 or 7 MATE.Both halves today play almost identical roles today,on different sides.Both have speed and kicking games. I also like Doeihie but he is not a 5/8.(i know he played some junior games there ,so what ?he was not signed as a half and would not be signed by any club as a half.)We need variety and speed around the ruck,Madden and Brooks will give us that.

Saw more in Douehi at 6 than I saw from him at 1

Yeah,nice guy every moms fayourite,good hands,tricky step,gives 100%.i like the guy,he will eventually take over Mbyes role as fill in.He played 1/2 game at 5/8 and you based his ability on that? Another example of average players being moved around to cover bad signings.Square plugs in round holes.Give him 3 games at most, the oppostion will carve him up,.

Just about every judge has him as our starting 6 Rd 2 bar you .....

So what? It's what's called a different opinion.Doeihie is at the best a centre,nowhwere near the build or experience for a 5/8 role,I'm more then happy to be proved wrong but i doubt it.

What BUILD do you need to be a 6 .....lol ....like Munster and Wighton are poles apart ....Lamb ,Kenny ,Lewis ,Lyons .....

Is this because you don't want tallies passing to shorties

This is going to be interesting

Am I on drugs , or does it appear Munster , Doueihi , and Wighton all have similar builds ? Not to mention people like Anasta and Fittler , Daley , Lewis etc before them . Keary is 2 foot nothing and was a 6 , same with Moses , and Luai isn’t exactly big .
I’d hardly say there’s a Prototype anymore . It’s whoever is the best man for the job .

Doueihi is the tallest and the heaviest of the three.

 

[twentyforty]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449


Brooksy doesn’t say much in that interview, but Just the same I think he’s in for a big season as chief playmaker.
Round 5 2020, when Benji was dropped, Brooks had a great game against Canberra. I thought we had the momentum to win that game until Packer came on and in spite of Mbye’s poor game. This season He will have Lucy and Joey as body guards and a pretty solid forward pack.

He's been doing interviews about finally being the chief player maker for about 5 years now

A champion isn’t born, it takes time, and many failures. But when he succeeds there will be those who claim he is an overnight success.

 

[sleeve]

Luke Brooks interview from this morning, for anyone interested.
https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=794449


Brooksy doesn’t say much in that interview, but Just the same I think he’s in for a big season as chief playmaker.
Round 5 2020, when Benji was dropped, Brooks had a great game against Canberra. I thought we had the momentum to win that game until Packer came on and in spite of Mbye’s poor game. This season He will have Lucy and Joey as body guards and a pretty solid forward pack.

He's been doing interviews about finally being the chief player maker for about 5 years now


A champion isn’t born, it takes time, and many failures. But when he succeeds there will be those who claim he is an overnight success.

Everyone forgets, he is still young, and has many years ahead of him. He would still get close to his current contract on the open market,many in the side would struggle.

 

[twentyforty]

@twentyforty Yes was going to say the same thing. Brooksy kinda cuts it short in every interview, repeats words and almost not knowing how to respond. Anyway actions speak louder than words so lets see how he transmits it to the field

He has some stock standard fillers, but the overall impression he creates is that he doesn’t want to give away too much, and that’s ok players get a lot of info under the cone of silence.