Brooks to hooker - Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Not a good enough defender.
What is wrong with Liddle??????
I don't see the point of Brooks at hooker but this is an interesting one, re his defence. My view, possibly controversial, is that it is generally easier to defend in the guts as you big men on both sides of you and it is very hard for the attacking team to isolate you. Even when they do, at least there is only one option … run straight at you.
Brooks defensive problems come from when he makes the wrong call and then as his body in the wrong position to bear the attackers weight. I doubt you would see that problem in the middle of the park.
But yes, like you I would much prefer seeing Liddle as our 9 for the foreseeable future.
Absolutely Brooks could handle defending in the middle. Just as well as any small hooker. I wouldn't suggest playing him in front of Liddle either but think he may have to move positions to continue his career.