So, then...

[Tiger_heart]

Presumably, Madge HAS to make the 8's next year. No question. Anything short of that and I doubt he'll make another comeback. With Sheens looking over his shoulder, and a board having found already a scapegoat for 2022 (unless a miracle happens, and we find what we've been looking for, since 2005) ), sounds to me like a year fraught with danger, and uncertainty, with everyone pointing the finger every which way to protect their behind at the first sign of trouble...
Wouldn't be rugby league without dramas, now, would it?

 

[Demps]

Is this a question or a statement

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It’s absolutely non negotiable that we play finals next year. If he had any self respect he’d give himself that ultimatum. No coach who goes 4 years without make finals survives in this day and age. And if the squad isn’t good enough, that’s his fault, because he is the one who assembled it.

 

[bigsiro]

Is this a question or a statement

I think it's a rhetorical. :astonished:

 

[PJ_]

It’s absolutely non negotiable that we play finals next year. If he had any self respect he’d give himself that ultimatum. No coach who goes 4 years without make finals survives in this day and age. And if the squad isn’t good enough, that’s his fault, because he is the one who assembled it.

Agree. Spot on mate

 

[tigerbalm]

Madge better start looking on Seek then.

 

[Swordy]

So we have the continuing board ineptitude and the coach pays the price?

 

[jrtiger]

it is going to take a miracle for Madge to get this team into the 8. I don't even think Bellyache or Robinson could do it. all I hope for is to see us continue to develop the youngsters in the correct manner and play for 80 minutes week in week out. it's going to be a slog.

 

[Swordy]

The way it was this year, no one wanted 8 spot. Titans got it by accident. We beat the Bulldogs in that last game and the game at Leichhardt V cowboys after Tommy's passing and we are in the 8!

Would that have been a successful season? Me personally, wouldn't have been much better than what we did, so these 'making the 8' requirements are a bit loose.

 

[YesHeCheeKam]

comeback. With Sheens looking over his shoulder, and a board having found already a scapegoat for 2022 (unless a miracle happens, and we find what we’ve been looking for, since 2005) )

He just needs to show us something. Show us we are improving. I have not seen anything to suggest we are improving like some people say. Have us compete, have us play the storm/roosters/manly and put up a fight and lose 24-10 and we will all walk out and think we are having a crack

This year we were a basket case and went backwards. Forget our 8/16 record, as I can cop losing. but we were poor in 70% of matches many games. Very rarely did I walk away and think "we played well there", I can cop losing or that performance today. Remember:

- We conceeded 30+ points in 14/24 games,
- From remaining 10 games, we conceeded 16-29 points in 8/10 of them.
- The only games we kept someone less, were Penrith 2nd Grade and Saints.

 

[Demps]


The Tigers will not make the 8 with this man in the team. He lacks the killer instinct to control games and does not have the ability to lead a team into the promised land of finals.

Luke Brooks has had a decade to solidify himself as a talent but year after year has failed to deliver. Despite being afforded a team to be structured around his so called strengths.

Luke Brooks has been described as the most maligned half in the game and it's clear to everyone from casual fans to journalists who report on the game that this man not get the job done. Tigers fans and NRL spectators alike have watched him progress for a boy making his debut in a brilliant fashion to now, a young man with a wealth of games under his belt that has never played finals football and more than likely... never will, at least, within the environment that is the Wests Tigers.

Luke Brooks is an average player that has never pushed himself to become a good or great player. Once he leaves the game, he will not be remembered or celebrated. Other than some worst of all time discussions such as, "players who played over 100 games yet never scored a try or players who played over a decade but never made the finals." A laughing stock, like how Nathan Hindmarsh never won a grandfinal, you will have Luke Brooks. The next Andrew Johns. The guy who played so many years yet never reached the finals. A guy who is happy to get paid and not actually do the job he is employed to do. A guy that the club of Wests Tigers invested in more than any other player for so many years with no return. A guy who does not care about the club, the fans, his team mates or even himself, to show some effort or organisation on the field.

We can make 100 threads and complain until the end of days but the way Luke Brooks has milked this club for every dollar and in return, allowed us nothing but disgust, confusion and annoyance in return can never be forgotten or forgiven. He should and will rank among Adam Blair, Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye levels of disdain among fans for eternity.

This isn't an opinion piece by your favourite forum user but an honest explanation of how Luke Brooks is an abysmal player and a sub par rugby league player. Looks like we're stuck with him for another year, at least, maybe even two. Let the good times roll.... the fan club has dwindled and the shine has worn off. Even though Luke Brooks has a couple of defenders left, it's common knowledge to the world the guy is just simply.... not good enough.

Luke won't read this because he doesn't care to hear what the fans say and hides from social media because he doesn't want to hear the negative comments the country has to say about his playing ability. However, if you're out there Luke... please do the right thing. I don't have the answers to what the right thing actually is but it's either, be the half back the Tigers need... or walk away from the club, hell... walk away from the game. The charade can't go on forever.

 

[Devon Head]

The way it was this year, no one wanted 8 spot. Titans got it by accident. We beat the Bulldogs in that last game and the game at Leichhardt V cowboys after Tommy's passing and we are in the 8!

Would that have been a successful season? Me personally, wouldn't have been much better than what we did, so these 'making the 8' requirements are a bit loose.

Don't forget the 2 losses to the Warriors in which we crapped the bed in both. The first of which we were up, deep in 2nd half and they had 2 players in sin bin at times and we still couldn't get the job done. Win those 4 and we finish above Newie which is prob scraping in as a pass mark.

 

[happy_tiger]

I don't necessarily agree ...with the current roster if he got us to 9th it would be a miracle

If we saw big improvements in Laurie , Madden ,Seyfarth , Mikaele , Simpkins ,Simpkin , Blore , AJ , Tuilagi and he got Brooks , Nofa ,Talau , Douehi playing at a consistently higher level and Stef moving another step up ...and we got 9th

I'd give him one last year if we couldn't sign someone better

 

[Tiger-ferret]

it is going to take a miracle for Madge to get this team into the 8. I don't even think Bellyache or Robinson could do it. all I hope for is to see us continue to develop the youngsters in the correct manner and play for 80 minutes week in week out. it's going to be a slog.

Especially with our key injuries.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I don't necessarily agree ...with the current roster if he got us to 9th it would be a miracle

If we saw big improvements in Laurie , Madden ,Seyfarth , Mikaele , Simpkins ,Simpkin , Blore , AJ , Tuilagi and he got Brooks , Nofa ,Talau , Douehi playing at a consistently higher level and Stef moving another step up ...and we got 9th

I'd give him one last year if we couldn't sign someone better

Think of it like this. If we had signed him to a 4 year contract, and missed the 8 every year, would you re-sign him? Taylor and Potter were sacked for less. And I know people will argue Potter wasn’t sacked, his contract just wasn’t renewed, but he still lost his job. So it’s semantics.

 

[Swordy]

I don't necessarily agree ...with the current roster if he got us to 9th it would be a miracle

If we saw big improvements in Laurie , Madden ,Seyfarth , Mikaele , Simpkins ,Simpkin , Blore , AJ , Tuilagi and he got Brooks , Nofa ,Talau , Douehi playing at a consistently higher level and Stef moving another step up ...and we got 9th

I'd give him one last year if we couldn't sign someone better

Think of it like this. If we had signed him to a 4 year contract, and missed the 8 every year, would you re-sign him? Taylor and Potter were sacked for less. And I know people will argue Potter wasn’t sacked, his contract just wasn’t renewed, but he still lost his job. So it’s semantics.

Has to be in context. Taking charge of this rabble and the salary cap nuclear mess.... Takes more than 4 years to set the club up right and get us to a constant top 6 club.

I know we all want instant gratification, but Taylor and Potter were just continuing what we've always done. Maguire has come in and openly laid himself on the line and saying we are playing the long game. Only time will tell if he is right, but we weren't right doing it the other way.

 

[happy_tiger]

I don't necessarily agree ...with the current roster if he got us to 9th it would be a miracle

If we saw big improvements in Laurie , Madden ,Seyfarth , Mikaele , Simpkins ,Simpkin , Blore , AJ , Tuilagi and he got Brooks , Nofa ,Talau , Douehi playing at a consistently higher level and Stef moving another step up ...and we got 9th

I'd give him one last year if we couldn't sign someone better

Think of it like this. If we had signed him to a 4 year contract, and missed the 8 every year, would you re-sign him? Taylor and Potter were sacked for less. And I know people will argue Potter wasn’t sacked, his contract just wasn’t renewed, but he still lost his job. So it’s semantics.

The key for me Gunners is that a better coach isn't on the market ...there is no use signing an inferior coach if we can't upgrade the roster .......

 

[jrtiger]

it is going to take a miracle for Madge to get this team into the 8. I don't even think Bellyache or Robinson could do it. all I hope for is to see us continue to develop the youngsters in the correct manner and play for 80 minutes week in week out. it's going to be a slog.

Especially with our key injuries.

big time. Doueihi is the heart and soul of this team and Talau was beginning to resemble a consistent first grader. both needed the off-season for their development. hopefully Simpkin, Laurie, Seyfarth and Kepaoa are going to be ready come pre-season.

 

[happy_tiger]

Yep Laurie ,Douehi and Kepaoa will be out for extended periods in 2022 ...that won't help

 

[GarryOwen]

As it stands, I don't think we have much of a chance of making the 8.
To do so, we will need big steps forward from all (not some) of the young guys, some luck with injuries (incl. early return dates for some), and a couple of good moves in the transfer market - both in and out.

It's a huge ask.