Luke Brooks

[voice_of_reason]

I haven't been following this thread but hope Brooks doesn't move on. He's not an organising halfback and I don't know if he's suited to 5/8 given how similar these positions play these days.

I'm sure I'll get criticised but IMHO I think he'd be better at 9. I understand we have Liddle and Simpkin but I think Simpkin (at 19) is a year or two away from week to week first grade and I'm not confident Liddle will be here next year (although hope he is). The biggest issue is they both have poor service from the ruck.

Brooks would offer:

Better service - Brooks has the best passing game in the side
A kicking game from dummy half - first since Robbie
The best defensive half in the game and will be strong in the middle - especially if he gets an interchange break
Speed off the mark - would be sharp out of DH and can play head's up

Just thinking out loud but I can see the 2022 being Laurie, Hastings, Doueihi and Brooks as the starting spine. Assuming Mbye is gone then Liddle or Simpkin at 14.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

What a thread. Almost at 200 pages and the posting rate is climbing with each game.

Luke Brooks is still my king. Here is my brief assessment of his season so far.

**Round 1 (Raiders):** Did okay. Set up a try.
**Round 2 (Roosters):** Bad game. Missed a few tackles and went missing in attack.
**Round 3 (Knights):** Mixed performance. Did some good stuff, but missed a few tackles.
**Round 4 (Eels):** Played well. Was heavily involved with 2 try assists and good long kicking game. Short game still not there.
**Round 5 (Cowboys):** Played very well despite getting the blame for 12 other players not knowing how to defend. Was everywhere in that attempted comeback.
**Round 6 (Rabbitohs):** Solid game. Didn't create much in attack, but managed the game well. Was kicking us to victory before Latrell ran down the touchline.
**Round 7 (Sea Eagles):** Bad game. We had a few sets early on their goal line where he was unable to convert the pressure into points. Manly defended well, but there had to be a chink somewhere in their armour, which Luke was unable to find.
**Round 8 (Dragons):** Mixed performance. Good - kicked well, set up a try and forced a few drop outs. Bad - stifled the good-ball attack in the first half, although he did better in the second half.

So in summary:
- 2 bad, 4 mixed or okay, and 2 good games. That's my take at least. I feel if the rest of the team improves around him, more of those mixed/okay games will turn into good games.
- Kicking game has improved immensely.
- Struggling to create scoring opportunities in the opposition 20m zone in the first half. This is the equivalent of first innings runs in cricket - if you do the job early, you don't have to do it later. This is his biggest issue and where most of the criticism comes from.

 

[Merlot]

we;ll probably still give our opinions when they fly his commemeritive guirnsy up the flag post

 

[happy_tiger]

What a thread. Almost at 200 pages and the posting rate is climbing with each game.

Luke Brooks is still my king. Here is my brief assessment of his season so far.

**Round 1 (Raiders):** Did okay. Set up a try.
**Round 2 (Roosters):** Bad game. Missed a few tackles and went missing in attack.
**Round 3 (Knights):** Mixed performance. Did some good stuff, but missed a few tackles.
**Round 4 (Eels):** Played well. Was heavily involved with 2 try assists and good long kicking game. Short game still not there.
**Round 5 (Cowboys):** Played very well despite getting the blame for 12 other players not knowing how to defend. Was everywhere in that attempted comeback.
**Round 6 (Rabbitohs):** Solid game. Didn't create much in attack, but managed the game well. Was kicking us to victory before Latrell ran down the touchline.
**Round 7 (Sea Eagles):** Bad game. We had a few sets early on their goal line where he was unable to convert the pressure into points. Manly defended well, but there had to be a chink somewhere in their armour, which Luke was unable to find.
**Round 8 (Dragons):** Mixed performance. Good - kicked well, set up a try and forced a few drop outs. Bad - stifled the good-ball attack in the first half, although he did better in the second half.

So in summary:
- 2 bad, 4 mixed or okay, and 2 good games. That's my take at least. I feel if the rest of the team improves around him, more of those mixed/okay games will turn into good games.
- Kicking game has improved immensely.
- Struggling to create scoring opportunities in the opposition 20m zone in the first half. This is the equivalent of first innings runs in cricket - if you do the job early, you don't have to do it later. This is his biggest issue and where most of the criticism comes from.

His long kicking game is still horrible

 

[happy_tiger]

Anyone heard anything about a north of the border side making enquiries about Brooks .....

 

[hobbo1]

What a thread. Almost at 200 pages and the posting rate is climbing with each game.

Luke Brooks is still my king. Here is my brief assessment of his season so far.

**Round 1 (Raiders):** Did okay. Set up a try.
**Round 2 (Roosters):** Bad game. Missed a few tackles and went missing in attack.
**Round 3 (Knights):** Mixed performance. Did some good stuff, but missed a few tackles.
**Round 4 (Eels):** Played well. Was heavily involved with 2 try assists and good long kicking game. Short game still not there.
**Round 5 (Cowboys):** Played very well despite getting the blame for 12 other players not knowing how to defend. Was everywhere in that attempted comeback.
**Round 6 (Rabbitohs):** Solid game. Didn't create much in attack, but managed the game well. Was kicking us to victory before Latrell ran down the touchline.
**Round 7 (Sea Eagles):** Bad game. We had a few sets early on their goal line where he was unable to convert the pressure into points. Manly defended well, but there had to be a chink somewhere in their armour, which Luke was unable to find.
**Round 8 (Dragons):** Mixed performance. Good - kicked well, set up a try and forced a few drop outs. Bad - stifled the good-ball attack in the first half, although he did better in the second half.

So in summary:
- 2 bad, 4 mixed or okay, and 2 good games. That's my take at least. I feel if the rest of the team improves around him, more of those mixed/okay games will turn into good games.
- Kicking game has improved immensely.
- Struggling to create scoring opportunities in the opposition 20m zone in the first half. This is the equivalent of first innings runs in cricket - if you do the job early, you don't have to do it later. This is his biggest issue and where most of the criticism comes from.

His long kicking game is still horrible

In cricket terms... straight down the throat to deep third man ?

 

[happy_tiger]

What a thread. Almost at 200 pages and the posting rate is climbing with each game.

Luke Brooks is still my king. Here is my brief assessment of his season so far.

**Round 1 (Raiders):** Did okay. Set up a try.
**Round 2 (Roosters):** Bad game. Missed a few tackles and went missing in attack.
**Round 3 (Knights):** Mixed performance. Did some good stuff, but missed a few tackles.
**Round 4 (Eels):** Played well. Was heavily involved with 2 try assists and good long kicking game. Short game still not there.
**Round 5 (Cowboys):** Played very well despite getting the blame for 12 other players not knowing how to defend. Was everywhere in that attempted comeback.
**Round 6 (Rabbitohs):** Solid game. Didn't create much in attack, but managed the game well. Was kicking us to victory before Latrell ran down the touchline.
**Round 7 (Sea Eagles):** Bad game. We had a few sets early on their goal line where he was unable to convert the pressure into points. Manly defended well, but there had to be a chink somewhere in their armour, which Luke was unable to find.
**Round 8 (Dragons):** Mixed performance. Good - kicked well, set up a try and forced a few drop outs. Bad - stifled the good-ball attack in the first half, although he did better in the second half.

So in summary:
- 2 bad, 4 mixed or okay, and 2 good games. That's my take at least. I feel if the rest of the team improves around him, more of those mixed/okay games will turn into good games.
- Kicking game has improved immensely.
- Struggling to create scoring opportunities in the opposition 20m zone in the first half. This is the equivalent of first innings runs in cricket - if you do the job early, you don't have to do it later. This is his biggest issue and where most of the criticism comes from.

His long kicking game is still horrible

In cricket terms... straight down the throat to deep third man ?

Such a pin point kicker .....Douehi asks Lukey boys ...were is the fullback ...Brooks says I show you on the 5th

 

[Merlot]

is this the top5 of mystery downvoter,they all looking for

 

[hobbo1]

is this the top5 of mystery downvoter,they all looking for

It can only be one of a handful of posters 😂

 

[BZN]

I'm a person that has often noted the poor performance culture at the club as justification for Luke's poor development. While I haven't specifically blamed Benji or Robbie as the main cause for disruption, I do however believe that the club's previous organisational incompetence, quality of the team and frequent instability are major factors.
I can recognise that he's got some deficiencies  and poor leadership qualities including a lack of valour. Yet I believe he can turn things around given he can work on the mental, physical, tactical and technical elements of his game.

We all obviously don't see eye to eye on that and it's understandable but no offence my(or anyone else) applying this reasoning isn't to make excuses. In fact, they both mean completely different things.
When the Brooks supporters on here, myself included, stand by these reasons to why he's unable to produce certain traits/plays (being vocal, his kicks and try assists the most common) it isn't to be combative at all but we're simply applying some logic to why he's undeveloped in these areas.
In all team sports, an individual's growth is dependent on the coaching and team around him too. So at present not only would he be working on building on his own skills and other new ones, but he'd also be learning how to modify his game to serve or suit the needs of another newly formed team.

I'd say the only concern is his confidence and if he can take accountability of it he'd be in more control of everything.

[/QUOTE]

But with this one I :100: disagree when you say Luke Brooks has a lack of valour.
I've seen him pull off some amazing tackles on the biggest opposition forwards.
I'd even go as far as saying pound for pound he would be the gutsiest player in our team in defence.
Google on my mobile shows...Valour, great courage in the face of danger....and that's what Brooksy shows imo.

 

[BZN]

Hope that Strongee's little blow up isnt considered bad form by the mods. I hope he sticks around. Im all for differing opinions and a bit of banter.

As for the Luke Brooks discussion ill have a go at the "my opinion - your opinion and the truth" thing.

**My opinion =** Luke Brooks is cooked at the Wests Tigers. Doesnt have the mental drive and toughness to turn around his complete lack of confidence. And even if he did he was only a mid range half back to start with.

**Your Opinion =** Luke Brooks has been hard done by and has genuine excuses for his form. he will come good. In the grand scheme of things he is one of the top 6 to 8 halves on the game and deserves his spot in our team going forward.

**The Truth =** Luke Brooks is an NRL half back. He is not a reserve grader. The trouble however is that he is struggling to lift his form and adjust to a style that doesnt completely suit him. He played well last week and did his job. Some of his kicking was very good, the placement spot on.

With great halves like Thurston, Johns, young Sam Walker etc they were genuine footballers. Not athlete footballers but genuine footballers who could read a line and play heads up footy.

Alexander and Johns commented recently on a sports radio show how Luke Brooks runs into the defensive line a little too often. Kind of like he doesnt know when to pass or when to run, as in he is not reading the play in front of him but just relying on natural talent to create something.

It was a one of the best reviews of the Luke Brooks situation i have heard. It reminded me of the Milford situation at the Broncos. Talented player but doesnt make the right play at the right time often enough to take away the enormous pressure he has placed on himself.

I see Brooks and Milford as very similar. Both naturally talented but neither are just out and out footballers who can read the play and execute what is needed when it is needed.

In short good player but not a player capable of lifting his team to any great heights.

None of that is true haha . And that’s not my opinion . But thanks for clarifying a position you clearly don’t understand , just to rationalise it for yourself . Seriously man , what the actual ?


Ill give you something that is very true about me. Im a bit blunt when im know im right about a player.

No hard feelings, youre entitled to your opinion.

What ? What has that got to do with what my opinion is ? I swear I’ve said it 100 times on here , yet you still paraphrase and summarise it to something completely unlike what I’ve said . I couldn’t be any clearer .
And what are you right about ? That he’s not nrl standard ? The rest of the nrl clubs would ? disagree with you . Every club would snap him up , who didn’t have an elite half . That’s all the answer I need to that question . So all your ramblings , amount for nothing if the people who do this for a living disagree with you to the tune they’d pay him half a mil to kick a ball around .
So you don’t know anything, how can you if that’s the general consensus in the NRL. And it is because the cowboys just came knocking and were willing to pay full freight .
Like I said , I think he’s slightly above league average , which is a shame because he could have been elite . But thank the basket case of Wests tigers past for that .


You have misread my posts. I cleary state he is an NRL player.

Sorry if you are looking for me to bite on your comments mate but im all good. If you want to get yourself banned you will have to go harder. Youll also have to find someone else to go back at you. It wont be me.

As ive stated youre entitled to your opinion.

Moving on.

Cheers.

No you paraphrased everything I said , only into nothing at all like what I said . And now what you want to pretend like you’re taking the high road . Sorry all the stuff you e said over the past few months totally undermine you .
I hope Brooks moves on for the record , it will suck to see someone who should have been the Aus halfback , be a shell of what he could have been, leave , but we messed him up to a point the club should be ashamed of themselves . He was supposed to be the sure fire , can’t lose prospect and now , he’s anything but that . It’s a real indictment on this club . And that’s why I stand by him , mainly because I know how much we messed him up , and it’s shameful . Its like what the Houston Texans did to David Carr years ago . He was again this can’t miss quarterback , who got hammered his first 5 years in the league , that by the time they fixed the rest of thier team , he had been ruined by bad coaching and blokes who couldn’t protect him .

Haha we messed him up.. u got to be kidding he's a professional football player. He has control of his form and only him.. there is no more growth in him. He has peaked and unfortunately he has folded like a deck chair to douhie a 6 game rookie... the club did everything they could to give him the opportunity. Unfortunately he has not stepped up.....

What's with the .... ? Just one of them will do, as in a full stop.

[/QUOTE]

 

[BZN]

Hope that Strongee's little blow up isnt considered bad form by the mods. I hope he sticks around. Im all for differing opinions and a bit of banter.

As for the Luke Brooks discussion ill have a go at the "my opinion - your opinion and the truth" thing.

**My opinion =** Luke Brooks is cooked at the Wests Tigers. Doesnt have the mental drive and toughness to turn around his complete lack of confidence. And even if he did he was only a mid range half back to start with.

**Your Opinion =** Luke Brooks has been hard done by and has genuine excuses for his form. he will come good. In the grand scheme of things he is one of the top 6 to 8 halves on the game and deserves his spot in our team going forward.

**The Truth =** Luke Brooks is an NRL half back. He is not a reserve grader. The trouble however is that he is struggling to lift his form and adjust to a style that doesnt completely suit him. He played well last week and did his job. Some of his kicking was very good, the placement spot on.

With great halves like Thurston, Johns, young Sam Walker etc they were genuine footballers. Not athlete footballers but genuine footballers who could read a line and play heads up footy.

Alexander and Johns commented recently on a sports radio show how Luke Brooks runs into the defensive line a little too often. Kind of like he doesnt know when to pass or when to run, as in he is not reading the play in front of him but just relying on natural talent to create something.

It was a one of the best reviews of the Luke Brooks situation i have heard. It reminded me of the Milford situation at the Broncos. Talented player but doesnt make the right play at the right time often enough to take away the enormous pressure he has placed on himself.

I see Brooks and Milford as very similar. Both naturally talented but neither are just out and out footballers who can read the play and execute what is needed when it is needed.

In short good player but not a player capable of lifting his team to any great heights.

None of that is true haha . And that’s not my opinion . But thanks for clarifying a position you clearly don’t understand , just to rationalise it for yourself . Seriously man , what the actual ?


Ill give you something that is very true about me. Im a bit blunt when im know im right about a player.

No hard feelings, youre entitled to your opinion.

What ? What has that got to do with what my opinion is ? I swear I’ve said it 100 times on here , yet you still paraphrase and summarise it to something completely unlike what I’ve said . I couldn’t be any clearer .
And what are you right about ? That he’s not nrl standard ? The rest of the nrl clubs would ? disagree with you . Every club would snap him up , who didn’t have an elite half . That’s all the answer I need to that question . So all your ramblings , amount for nothing if the people who do this for a living disagree with you to the tune they’d pay him half a mil to kick a ball around .
So you don’t know anything, how can you if that’s the general consensus in the NRL. And it is because the cowboys just came knocking and were willing to pay full freight .
Like I said , I think he’s slightly above league average , which is a shame because he could have been elite . But thank the basket case of Wests tigers past for that .


You have misread my posts. I cleary state he is an NRL player.

Sorry if you are looking for me to bite on your comments mate but im all good. If you want to get yourself banned you will have to go harder. Youll also have to find someone else to go back at you. It wont be me.

As ive stated youre entitled to your opinion.

Moving on.

Cheers.

No you paraphrased everything I said , only into nothing at all like what I said . And now what you want to pretend like you’re taking the high road . Sorry all the stuff you e said over the past few months totally undermine you .
I hope Brooks moves on for the record , it will suck to see someone who should have been the Aus halfback , be a shell of what he could have been, leave , but we messed him up to a point the club should be ashamed of themselves . He was supposed to be the sure fire , can’t lose prospect and now , he’s anything but that . It’s a real indictment on this club . And that’s why I stand by him , mainly because I know how much we messed him up , and it’s shameful . Its like what the Houston Texans did to David Carr years ago . He was again this can’t miss quarterback , who got hammered his first 5 years in the league , that by the time they fixed the rest of thier team , he had been ruined by bad coaching and blokes who couldn’t protect him .

How did WT mess him up? Curious to hear the evidence behind this one...

The claim, originally from Phil Gould. Gould said something alone these lines…

Basically the problem isn’t Brooks, the Wests Tigers are the problem with Brooks. He’s had 4-5 coaches in his career, close to 10 halves partners and different spine almost every other year with no forwards. How does he succeed with that?

What you have provided @mike is all the evidence Mr @willow needs as it comes from a master SOO winning coach.

 

[BZN]

Hope that Strongee's little blow up isnt considered bad form by the mods. I hope he sticks around. Im all for differing opinions and a bit of banter.

As for the Luke Brooks discussion ill have a go at the "my opinion - your opinion and the truth" thing.

**My opinion =** Luke Brooks is cooked at the Wests Tigers. Doesnt have the mental drive and toughness to turn around his complete lack of confidence. And even if he did he was only a mid range half back to start with.

**Your Opinion =** Luke Brooks has been hard done by and has genuine excuses for his form. he will come good. In the grand scheme of things he is one of the top 6 to 8 halves on the game and deserves his spot in our team going forward.

**The Truth =** Luke Brooks is an NRL half back. He is not a reserve grader. The trouble however is that he is struggling to lift his form and adjust to a style that doesnt completely suit him. He played well last week and did his job. Some of his kicking was very good, the placement spot on.

With great halves like Thurston, Johns, young Sam Walker etc they were genuine footballers. Not athlete footballers but genuine footballers who could read a line and play heads up footy.

Alexander and Johns commented recently on a sports radio show how Luke Brooks runs into the defensive line a little too often. Kind of like he doesnt know when to pass or when to run, as in he is not reading the play in front of him but just relying on natural talent to create something.

It was a one of the best reviews of the Luke Brooks situation i have heard. It reminded me of the Milford situation at the Broncos. Talented player but doesnt make the right play at the right time often enough to take away the enormous pressure he has placed on himself.

I see Brooks and Milford as very similar. Both naturally talented but neither are just out and out footballers who can read the play and execute what is needed when it is needed.

In short good player but not a player capable of lifting his team to any great heights.

None of that is true haha . And that’s not my opinion . But thanks for clarifying a position you clearly don’t understand , just to rationalise it for yourself . Seriously man , what the actual ?


Ill give you something that is very true about me. Im a bit blunt when im know im right about a player.

No hard feelings, youre entitled to your opinion.

What ? What has that got to do with what my opinion is ? I swear I’ve said it 100 times on here , yet you still paraphrase and summarise it to something completely unlike what I’ve said . I couldn’t be any clearer .
And what are you right about ? That he’s not nrl standard ? The rest of the nrl clubs would ? disagree with you . Every club would snap him up , who didn’t have an elite half . That’s all the answer I need to that question . So all your ramblings , amount for nothing if the people who do this for a living disagree with you to the tune they’d pay him half a mil to kick a ball around .
So you don’t know anything, how can you if that’s the general consensus in the NRL. And it is because the cowboys just came knocking and were willing to pay full freight .
Like I said , I think he’s slightly above league average , which is a shame because he could have been elite . But thank the basket case of Wests tigers past for that .


You have misread my posts. I cleary state he is an NRL player.

Sorry if you are looking for me to bite on your comments mate but im all good. If you want to get yourself banned you will have to go harder. Youll also have to find someone else to go back at you. It wont be me.

As ive stated youre entitled to your opinion.

Moving on.

Cheers.

No you paraphrased everything I said , only into nothing at all like what I said . And now what you want to pretend like you’re taking the high road . Sorry all the stuff you e said over the past few months totally undermine you .
I hope Brooks moves on for the record , it will suck to see someone who should have been the Aus halfback , be a shell of what he could have been, leave , but we messed him up to a point the club should be ashamed of themselves . He was supposed to be the sure fire , can’t lose prospect and now , he’s anything but that . It’s a real indictment on this club . And that’s why I stand by him , mainly because I know how much we messed him up , and it’s shameful . Its like what the Houston Texans did to David Carr years ago . He was again this can’t miss quarterback , who got hammered his first 5 years in the league , that by the time they fixed the rest of thier team , he had been ruined by bad coaching and blokes who couldn’t protect him .

How did WT mess him up? Curious to hear the evidence behind this one...

So you disagree ? You think we developed him to the best of his potential , and the constant in and out of coaching philosophies, game plans , lack of good structures around him. Even simply putting a halves coach with him .

So you think the onus is ? on the player that there’s none on the club ?. I’ve got rose coloured glasses for this club , but that’s just not true . We hopefully have got the right guys in there now , but we have been a mess of a club especially around the time we went away from benji and said this kid was our future . We blooded him way too soon . Was that a good enough response for you ? Or do I need to spend days scouring articles from players who left , he bad culture around those times , the garbage around the boys club , the 180 away from the plan Tim sheens had in Place to the potter / Taylor ball. He never found his voice , and is way too in his own head , so that’s on him . But if we had 100 go’s at making him johns 2.0 , how many would we succeed at ? 10 ? 4 ? Now stick him in say the storm system . And they had 100 goes at it , how many would they stuff up ?
I love this club , but I’m not oblivious to the years of Mismanagement, especially in the development of our juniors . Brooks being the poster child of that .

[/QUOTE]

 

[BZN]

I'm a person that has often noted the poor performance culture at the club as justification for Luke's poor development. While I haven't specifically blamed Benji or Robbie as the main cause for disruption, I do however believe that the club's previous organisational incompetence, quality of the team and frequent instability are major factors.
I can recognise that he's got some deficiencies  and poor leadership qualities including a lack of valour. Yet I believe he can turn things around given he can work on the mental, physical, tactical and technical elements of his game.

We all obviously don't see eye to eye on that and it's understandable but no offence my(or anyone else) applying this reasoning isn't to make excuses. In fact, they both mean completely different things.
When the Brooks supporters on here, myself included, stand by these reasons to why he's unable to produce certain traits/plays (being vocal, his kicks and try assists the most common) it isn't to be combative at all but we're simply applying some logic to why he's undeveloped in these areas.
In all team sports, an individual's growth is dependent on the coaching and team around him too. So at present not only would he be working on building on his own skills and other new ones, but he'd also be learning how to modify his game to serve or suit the needs of another newly formed team.

I'd say the only concern is his confidence and if he can take accountability of it he'd be in more control of everything.

Seriously Luke Brookes has played over 150 NRL games and you assert he "LACKS VALOUR" my understanding of word valour means courage. With respect Lauren if you believe anyone who has played 150 games of NRL lacks courage you havE no idea what it takes to play at this level.

I would never ever associate that word with the physical aspect of rugby league.
If you can understand that the outline of my post is relating the culture of the club and it's impact on Luke's development (especially the ongoing psychological challenges he's faced), and read that particular passage, you'd see this word has only been used only in regards to his leadership skills and ability.
I specifically meant, the courage to do whatever it takes to be the best and expect the same from those around him. To be relentless in pursuit of this and always strive to deliver the best results.
The only reason I even said it in the first place, is because it's obvious he has some confidence issues and his self-belief has sometimes appeared (that's obviously only my opinion though) to be shot and I'd like to see him overcome it.

I am honestly one of the last persons you'd hear say something to that degree about Luke. I actually literally tried to report a comment(just the other day) on the forum which suggested one of our other players smash or hurt him.

Yep , it’s clearly in his head . I don’t think anyone will disagree there . He runs when he should pass he passes when he should run , he thinks way too much . I don’t think it’s because he can’t control the team , or is overwhelmed by the responsibility, but that he lacks confidence in his own abilities . So he’s kind of like the coach in the water boy , who had his book stolen . He’s still a great coach , he just thinks way too much and can’t get out of his own way . The person who can get him to free his mind , will unlock the star he can be . Most have given up on the kid. I still have hope , even though I understand I’m probably on a sinking ship.

[/QUOTE]

 

[TigerBlood93]

I agree that brooks loyalty to the tigers has been his downfall, 3 of the “big 4” left us and Atleast 2 of them have gone to another level. The 3rd is still pretty good. But they’ve reached higher success since moving. If you don’t think brooks would have done this if he had left than your just kidding. Freddy mentioned it the last week or so, if your unfortunate to be part of an unstable organisation and go through coaches and players that ruins a career and brooks was brought up. 100% our clubs issues in the last decade have impacted his game. Worst bit is he’s leading the try assists this year and people are still Slaming him. People
Slammed benji last year even though he was one of the best players in our team last year. In 2021 he’s been talked about everywhere. Playing incredibly well. Gone to another level... is he playing better? Yes, but a big part of it is because he has 12 better players around him. Brooks moves to a top 6 team. He makes them better.

Name one other halfback in the comp that has had 4-5 coaches in bit over 7 seasons? A halfback that has had almost a new spine every year + no forwards and constant drama around the club. Ohh and a weak roster.

If you don’t think those things can stifle a career then you don’t really understand the impact of a team and a coach let alone surroundings can be for a player.

 

[twentyforty]

I'm a person that has often noted the poor performance culture at the club as justification for Luke's poor development. While I haven't specifically blamed Benji or Robbie as the main cause for disruption, I do however believe that the club's previous organisational incompetence, quality of the team and frequent instability are major factors.
I can recognise that he's got some deficiencies  and poor leadership qualities including a lack of valour. Yet I believe he can turn things around given he can work on the mental, physical, tactical and technical elements of his game.

We all obviously don't see eye to eye on that and it's understandable but no offence my(or anyone else) applying this reasoning isn't to make excuses. In fact, they both mean completely different things.
When the Brooks supporters on here, myself included, stand by these reasons to why he's unable to produce certain traits/plays (being vocal, his kicks and try assists the most common) it isn't to be combative at all but we're simply applying some logic to why he's undeveloped in these areas.
In all team sports, an individual's growth is dependent on the coaching and team around him too. So at present not only would he be working on building on his own skills and other new ones, but he'd also be learning how to modify his game to serve or suit the needs of another newly formed team.

I'd say the only concern is his confidence and if he can take accountability of it he'd be in more control of everything.

Seriously Luke Brookes has played over 150 NRL games and you assert he "LACKS VALOUR" my understanding of word valour means courage. With respect Lauren if you believe anyone who has played 150 games of NRL lacks courage you havE no idea what it takes to play at this level.

I would never ever associate that word with the physical aspect of rugby league.
If you can understand that the outline of my post is relating the culture of the club and it's impact on Luke's development (especially the ongoing psychological challenges he's faced), and read that particular passage, you'd see this word has only been used only in regards to his leadership skills and ability.
I specifically meant, the courage to do whatever it takes to be the best and expect the same from those around him. To be relentless in pursuit of this and always strive to deliver the best results.
The only reason I even said it in the first place, is because it's obvious he has some confidence issues and his self-belief has sometimes appeared (that's obviously only my opinion though) to be shot and I'd like to see him overcome it.

I am honestly one of the last persons you'd hear say something to that degree about Luke. I actually literally tried to report a comment(just the other day) on the forum which suggested one of our other players smash or hurt him.

Yep , it’s clearly in his head . I don’t think anyone will disagree there . He runs when he should pass he passes when he should run , he thinks way too much . I don’t think it’s because he can’t control the team , or is overwhelmed by the responsibility, but that he lacks confidence in his own abilities . So he’s kind of like the coach in the water boy , who had his book stolen . He’s still a great coach , he just thinks way too much and can’t get out of his own way . The person who can get him to free his mind , will unlock the star he can be . Most have given up on the kid. I still have hope , even though I understand I’m probably on a sinking ship.

I’m not so sure this talk about sinking ship and tic tok clocks is warranted? The team needs stability, time together, games together. It’s something you can’t put a time frame on, and as we know, when it clicks into gear it’s a beautiful thing to watch. I expect Brooks’ progress to be in direct proportion to the team’s development.
And another thing, I thought Brooks was close to the best player on the park last week, but you wouldn’t think that after reading a few posts on here. ?

 

[JC99]

I think people forget that Brooks has played 156 games in the NRL... that's more than Mbye, Joffa and pretty much the whole of our squad. He should be one of our leaders especially because he's our halfback yet we are supposed to wait for him to develop still, I swear people think he's still only in his second or third year!

I'm glad he's slowly improving this year though. He'll need to keep it up if we want to keep winning games, hopefully we see the second half vs dragons Brooks instead of the first half this weekend.

 

[The_Patriot]

Some valid arguments in relation to Brooks's career being stifled by a club struggling to get out of its own way. Some poor coaches and lack of overall direction etc.

Having said that though what now ?, what does the club do with him now and going forward?

As an organisation we are desperate for success, Maguires career is also on the line.

I can understand the calls of patience and throwing support behind him and i see Maguire doing just that. For how long though seems to be where this whole discussion is at.

Whats best for the club should always come before a player. As it did with Benji.

How many more games, years do we give him to either go to the next level or get back to his best at least.

 

[JC99]

Some valid arguments in relation to Brooks's career being stifled by a club struggling to get out of its own way. Some poor coaches and lack of overall direction etc.

Having said that though what now ?, what does the club do with him now and going forward?

As an organisation we are desperate for success, Maguires career is also on the line.

I can understand the calls of patience and throwing support behind him and i see Maguire doing just that. For how long though seems to be where this whole discussion is at.

Whats best for the club should always come before a player. As it did with Benji.

How many more games, years do we give him to either go to the next level or get back to his best at least.

This was meant to be his year and while he's had some okay games he's not standing out. With Hastings here next year there's the real possibility he could pinch that #7 jersey at some point

 

[magpie_mick]

Does anyone think Brooks could move to 13 with Hastings going to 7 ? I think his defence is strong enough, we could use some speed in the middle, and he could add some variety by getting a quick pass away to Laurie or a backrower without the burden of having to control the attack.