Luke Brooks

[Needaname]

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 ?

The form half in 2021 ....Ok with you champ

Too many on this Forum are happy with mediocrity

Yeah good one.
We just resigned the form Winger of 2020 and most people are blowing up about it.

Well if we signed the form half from 2020 we'd have Munster ...you want to compare Munster and Nofa ??

Bring on Rd 1 ...too many people speaking too much poo

Not really mate. Although incorrectly the form half of last year was Wighton.

Some really want an Anthony Milford or Corey Norman or Shaun Johnson half that can turn a game on its head but really in truth you can only persist with 1 of those styles in your spine.

Those players also have hot and cold seasons.

It’s hard to rely on players of that mould to build a season on.
I swear, a lot of us would be disappointed if we had DCE as our halfback.

Yeah Munster is not the best player in the game .....please

And I'd take DCE tomorrow over Brooks ..would need to even think about it

You said the form half for 2020. Don’t you think that should of been the player that won the Dally M?

If you said the most consistent half in 2020 then I would agree with you in your assessment of Munster.

Well your choice Munster or Wighton .......

Tough call. Both a good choices. Munster has a better all round game, I wrote Munster at first. But then in reflection Wighton is a much bigger threat closer to the line which ultimately will win a football game so on that basis I will take Wighton.

Well there goes your credibility

I'd take DCE over Wighton ...if Brooks had a 2018 season he'd almost beat Wighton

Depends what you need for your team.
I would say each of those halves can do a job for a team. But the point is more on Brooks cast your memory back and tell me what you believe is Brooks worst game and in conjunction with the rest of players on the side in that game what would you score that performance.
Then do the same with his best game.
Then see if you can give him an average game score for his career. If his worst game isn’t much lower than his average game then his a pretty dependable half to have in your side..
Compare that same assessment to someone like Benji and I’d say you’d be happier with Brooks over a longer period time.

 

[happy_tiger]

Luke is deceptively quick, he can go from 0 to 100 in a blink + his short to mid range kick and grubber game is on point. He's also 26 now, he's matured and he's in his prime.

He just needs to learn how to lead our team, bark at our backline and get us into structured attacking positions. Which I'm sure Madge has been stressing.

Doueihi as his halves partner has great footy IQ, a good step and is an excellent passer.

He played his schoolboy, junior and Cup years at 6 so I'm sure he'll prove the naysayers wrong.

The reality is the combination will need some time to gel, but I can see them creating something special in 2021.

Dude I haven't seen that pace since 2018 ...that is why I keep asking is he carrying a leg injury for ..started 2020 season with a bad calf ...just remember he almost didn't make the resumption of NRL after almost a 10 week lay off ..that is either a lack of rehab or a serious problem

 

[TrueTiger]

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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

 

[JC99]

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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Yet every team would benefit from getting someone like Munster. Some players are that good that even if they have a rubbish team around them they can perform well. He won't suddenly become average if he's got a crap team around him, he might not be able to plus his best consistently but he'll still make an impact.

 

[TrueTiger]

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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

Well I must be wrong if you are agreeing ......I'll get back to you all with the correct answer shortly lol

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

I think it was more the wording of your original post that you wanted a team of players all at the same ability, that's how I read it anyway. I read that as you not wanting superstars and just wanting a team of NRL standard players.

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

Well I must be wrong if you are agreeing ......I'll get back to you all with the correct answer shortly lol

I guess the question we all need to ask of this subject is .....how many outside the Melbourne Top 17 would make our Top 17 ......and How many of the WT's players outside the Top 17 would make the Melbourne's Top 17 ....that is the answer having better quality players on the fringes .....we really need to be looking at the Pacific Isles , PNG and particularly the Qld cup for those players ..the level they play at is a higher level than the players we look at in SG Ball ...HM's etc

 

[TrueTiger]

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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

I think it was more the wording of your original post that you wanted a team of players all at the same ability, that's how I read it anyway. I read that as you not wanting superstars and just wanting a team of NRL standard players.

Ok coshise you are correct,it may have been my wording,so here goes,if for example you have lets say Munster in our squad,an elite superstar player,Harry Grant at DH and Noffa on the wing and Munster at half...the rest of the team are say average fg or fringe players....do you think that Munster being in the side would win a game when for example if we played Roosters...my answer is no,because the rest of the team needs to be at the same level as HG,Noffa to compete at that level,out of that game Munster would be an absolute standout carrying the team and trying to win..this is just an example,but Im sure yourself and many others see my point especially if you have played the game or have been a close follower of the game....

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

I think it was more the wording of your original post that you wanted a team of players all at the same ability, that's how I read it anyway. I read that as you not wanting superstars and just wanting a team of NRL standard players.

Ok coshise you are correct,it may have been my wording,so here goes,if for example you have lets say Munster in our squad,an elite superstar player,Harry Grant at DH and Noffa on the wing and Munster at half...the rest of the team are say average fg or fringe players....do you think that Munster being in the side would win a game when for example if we played Roosters...my answer is no,because the rest of the team needs to be at the same level as HG,Noffa to compete at that level,out of that game Munster would be an absolute standout carrying the team and trying to win..this is just an example,but Im sure yourself and many others see my point especially if you have played the game or have been a close follower of the game....

Mate I do see your point, though I would have HG as a player who is well above your average NRL player and it would be close to impossible to have a side of players at his level.

I will also state that one of the reason players, especially forwards went to another level at Melbourne was due to playing with a superstar in Smith and his ability to get his forwards in one on one situations allowing them to compete at a higher level.

You are right that for too long we have been playing players who are below NRL level. We need to upgrade those below NRL level players, something I believe we are actually doing a good job or doing at the moment, and we need to unearth a couple of genuine game changes.

 

[hank37w]

Hard to tell until Rd 1 and what the refs focus on …we still need a quality backrower …the prop rotation is an improvement …13 could be a worry …not sure if that will be Jo O ??

Going by what has happened in the past it's going to be hard to tell what refs will focus on from one week to the next.

 

[twentyforty]

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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

To the current squad he may,he may be a boost as you would expect a SUPERSTAR to be as would JAC,LM,etc,but if the rest of the team arent at the same ability level would they keep up,would they be as BRILLIANT as Munster of course not,you have to find the players that will play at the level of NRL in their required positions,having a superstar in that team is a bonus..

I wouldn’t expect the rest of the squad to be at Munster levels, no squad would be. The curt squad is a lot better then you give them credit for. We are missing a lock and a backup for fullback. The rest I think they will surprise you.

Mike you may have taken my comments in the wrong context,I agree with you completely about our squad,I love the way we are moulding the team..I was more saying that it doesnt matter how good a Superstar would be to have but if your team hasnt got NRL standard players across all positions,then it doesnt matter how good Munster is ,the rest have to keep up and do the job in a competent manner or they will demolish the great work your superstar does...it goes for all teams not just ours...

Is that like saying your backline is as fast as your slowest back ??

I dont want to get into a piddly argument in regard to who we need ,dont need ,who we want who we dont want....
my point is THIS IS THE NRL,huge salaries to some basic wage to others,however if you get selected in fg at nrl level you have to perform to that level....SUPERSTARS ARE players with extreme high ability,they are a step above the rest,however if the rest of the team cant capitalise on the SUPERSTARS abilities,then there isnt mich hope of progressing further,,,,,,,you made the point of Storm having superstars in the team and the rest played their roles competently to compliment the SUPERSTARS ,thats my point.....

I think it was more the wording of your original post that you wanted a team of players all at the same ability, that's how I read it anyway. I read that as you not wanting superstars and just wanting a team of NRL standard players.

Ok coshise you are correct,it may have been my wording,so here goes,if for example you have lets say Munster in our squad,an elite superstar player,Harry Grant at DH and Noffa on the wing and Munster at half...the rest of the team are say average fg or fringe players....do you think that Munster being in the side would win a game when for example if we played Roosters...my answer is no,because the rest of the team needs to be at the same level as HG,Noffa to compete at that level,out of that game Munster would be an absolute standout carrying the team and trying to win..this is just an example,but Im sure yourself and many others see my point especially if you have played the game or have been a close follower of the game....

Mate I do see your point, though I would have HG as a player who is well above your average NRL player and it would be close to impossible to have a side of players at his level.

I will also state that one of the reason players, especially forwards went to another level at Melbourne was due to playing with a superstar in Smith and his ability to get his forwards in one on one situations allowing them to compete at a higher level.

You are right that for too long we have been playing players who are below NRL level. We need to upgrade those below NRL level players, something I believe we are actually doing a good job or doing at the moment, and we need to unearth a couple of genuine game changes.

IDK? I think it’s a team sport and if you can get yourself an nrl contract then you’re good enough. Being a team sport group dynamics and the psychology of desire must play a major part. I would rather a team of players with average skill , who are willing to march into battle for a heavenly cause, than an average team with a superstar or two. Take Harry as an example, now I could be wrong but he had everything to play for. He created an opportunity to join WT and wasn’t going to let it slip. Sure he has talent, but there’s another 500 players out there who also have talent. You can’t write this stuff into a contract , but it is highly prized.

 

[Leck]

Luke is deceptively quick, he can go from 0 to 100 in a blink + his short to mid range kick and grubber game is on point. He's also 26 now, he's matured and he's in his prime.

He just needs to learn how to lead our team, bark at our backline and get us into structured attacking positions. Which I'm sure Madge has been stressing.

Doueihi as his halves partner has great footy IQ, a good step and is an excellent passer.

He played his schoolboy, junior and Cup years at 6 so I'm sure he'll prove the naysayers wrong.

The reality is the combination will need some time to gel, but I can see them creating something special in 2021.

Dude I haven't seen that pace since 2018 ...that is why I keep asking is he carrying a leg injury for ..started 2020 season with a bad calf ...just remember he almost didn't make the resumption of NRL after almost a 10 week lay off ..that is either a lack of rehab or a serious problem

The issue over the last two years was that Benji wanted to be the hero rather than the glue that mentored and helped stick our spine together.

Luke and Adam have a big job to make it happen in ‘21, but I feel confident they will.

 

[sleeve]

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,.

 

[TigerWest]

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,.

And how do you know this?

We will all have to wait and see how he goes.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Bring on Rd 1 …too many people speaking too much poo

This is the way I see it. We don't know how we are going to go. The odds have us as a bottom 4 team. I think we now have a team that has some decent outside backs and some decent players in the forwards. We may outperform the bookies expectations this season.

So much pressure on Brooks and to a lesser extent Douehi this season ...it will be those lads that gets us to the finals

And they will if our forwards hold their own.

 

[sleeve]

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,.

And how do you know this?

We will all have to wait and see how he goes.

Yes,and i hope it works,But Munster,Whiting and others will salivate at the slow./,lanky and inexperienced 5/8,and they will target him.I hope i'm wrong but time will tell.

 

[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 .....

 

[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

I’m stretching ? You know who the dumbest people on earth are ?
It’s not the people who are simple and know that. It’s The ones who think they’re the smartest , and have no doubt . I have serious doubts as to what I’m right and wrong about , and as such go back to see with a more open eye whenever I can, as when I watched it the first time or read it , or listened to it, I was watching with my heart as much as my head . I’m literally telling you I watched 5 hrs and 20 mins of footy today , and you say I’m stretching , when I offer an informed opinion based on facts . Once again I say , you’re more interested in winning some make believe straw man arguement than having an educated conversation. And honestly , I’ve lost respect in you happy . I thought you were smarter than that . But you’ve totally misread my last 5 posts , or disregarded them , or not understood them . Either way , I don’t respect your opinion , and I’m not interested in reading it anymore .
Not because I disagree , but because you are unwilling to look at things objectively , which means your opinion is an uneducated one .

Funniest thing I have read.
Post after post telling everyone that Brooks is so wonderful and has continually been let down by his dud teammates and you are accusing someone else of not being objective when they don’t agree.

I’m not ! Lol I’m saying admit simple facts . That’s it . Hard all, apparently that’s the forum equivalent of asking to admit the world is round . For some reason an impossible task . Whether you agree or not is irrelevant . Just admit truths.
Truth number 1 - he was dally m halfback of the year in 2018
Truth number 2 - he was our player of the year in 2019.
Truth number 3 - whilst being extremely poor most of last year , he was very good rounds 17-20.
Truth number 4 - he has not been a passenger prior to 2018 . He was woefully and frustratingly inconsistent, but not “bad at his job for 8 years” .
Thats what I’m railing against . That none of you haters will admit those 4 truths . And it’s unbelievably frustrating to read . And makes me think if we can’t agree to truths over something so pointless as to facts about a random footy player , this world doomed with big issues .
Whether you think he’s crap is Fine ! For the 100th time . Just don’t make crap up that is true. Stop conveniently leaving out facts you know are true to prove a point .
The fact you can’t understand that , does my head in . I literally laid it out and your dumb ass comes straight back with “you don’t like when people disagree with you” lol . Proving my whole point . And you don’t even realise it ! Lol

Only 2 of those are facts.

A true fact of this conversation is that it doesnt matter how much talent or ability you have individually, an NRL team must have players within it with the same percieved ability and talent so it works as a unit when coach puts gameplans and structures in place...to often have we seen our team with individual brilliance in half the team,only to be let down by the remaining players not being on the same page or not being gifted enough to either follow the plans or not good enough to be in the team,thats been the WTs for the last 8/9 years with chopping and changing the roster and coaches to frequently ....now hopefully we have the professional people in coaching,recruitment etc to finally give us stability and a shot at the finals and title in not to distant future...
I have said many times its to easy to blame players coaches etc if we havent walked a mile in their shoes,we however should really be really excited for this year as it appears we will be able to see nearly all the team supporting and playing for each other while the young guns develop and forge a career with us...

Couldn't disagree more.

No worries cochise,we cant all have the same opinion..this just happens to be mine...

Mate, no side has ever won anything in the salary cap era with a side all the same ability. You need the superstar players to make a difference. Munster for example would transform our team.


Mmmm Munster. One can dream, he would make a huge difference.

Mike I will tell you the same that I told coshise,its no good having Munster in our side as a superstar player if half the team can keep up or support him when he makes brilliant plays and the others arent up to that half of the teams ability at the level needed ....ONE superstar can make a difference if the others in the team are of the same ability,thats why the nrl is so full of elite rugby league players and good depth nrl players...its not all made up of Superstars,thats why as some one else has said good recruitment staff are always targeting ELITE juniors ...

To the current squad Munster would be a high boost. I’d be expecting top 4 finish, that’s how much of a difference he could make.

I assume that would be your step up from already making the eight with the current squad?