I re-watched a game from 2018 just now and I couldn't believe what I was watching. That was not the Luke Brooks I watched the last year and a bit. There is a noticeable difference to how he was playing under Ivan compared to Madge.
Under Ivan he played with real tempo to his game, always trying to be one step ahead of the defense and putting them in two minds by running at speed and always having his outside men running and giving options, I almost thought I was watching Luke keary, it really looked like his style of play. He was everywhere and looked to have freedom roaming the park. The variation in his kicking game was a very pleasant scene to watch.
Under Madge he looks to be a lot more structured which seems to be affecting his game quite a bit. He gets to a certain position in the park and thinks he has to do this to get this outcome. I feel as though this affected him because if the defense reacts in a certain way that he doesn't expect, he panics and bottles any chance of getting a result from an opportunity. Really think this is the reason his kicking game specifically has suffered.
Another thing that stood out in his play under Ivan was the amount of short side play, it really suited him because of his speed, it either created an overlap or he got through himself.
I really hope has freedom to go where he wants and have his players give him options. I guess its easy when you have such a great hole runner like Lawrence on your outside, completely different player to Luciano who imo is not a hole runner. I hope Shawn Blore becomes that hole runner, think it will really assist with his game.
All I can say Madge is that Brooks was good then,however with the rule changes he and others arent coping...as for a hole runner,Garner did well on that side with Brooks last year...I dont know if Luc is more a run up hard type or line runner ...I dare say hard up the middle...