We need an experienced half back

[jirskyr]

We have an experienced half back. Don't you mean an effective half back, one that can do his job by steering the side and kicking judiciously??

Look at Brodie Croft, about 4 NRL games, he looks like Cronk and plays like him too, and he makes Brooks with 80 odd games look bog average.
So the old he is young and is still learning does not cut it anymore, he has had 3 offseasons coached by a rothmans medal winning halfback and he has not improved. He is now coached by a bloke who coached his son to be a good solid NRL half at 18 years old, I think we have given Brooks more than enough chances.
We have backed a donkey, time to cut our losses, SG said we could cover Brook wage to play reggies, or we try sell him off.
I have high hopes for Gamble, and he is a goalkicker too, he must really fancy his chances of ousting Brooks from the team next year, and in my opinion that should be rd1.

Brooks looked pretty good after 4 NRL games as well!

I'd be careful using very junior players as a forecast of long-term success. Not saying Croft hasn't done well and Melbourne's system is clearly quality, but let's see how he does after 1-2 more years, weekly grind, the toll of the mental pressure, a few injuries and when the opposition has had plenty of time to do video on his game.

That's where Brooks is now, not been around so long to be an old head, still only 22 years old, but long enough that oppositions know and target his weaknesses.

BUT Thurston played 3 seasons with the Dogs on and off the bench, 29 games total, before he changed clubs and went to the next level. Thurston was 22 years old in his first season at the Cowboys.

Brooks is still young and has still time to develop, but he needs more quality footballers around him to be able to do that. It's all well and good for Brodie Croft to play some good games when his side is consistently a top 4 side and he's playing with guys like Cam Smith and Billy Slater, mentored by Cronk as you note.

 

[TIGER]

Brooks plays behind a beaten forward pack each week. what are we all expecting…

At a minimum to finish our sets with a decent kick, why is it the forwards fault for Brooks poor kicking?

 

[Newtown]

Brooks plays behind a beaten forward pack each week. what are we all expecting…

At a minimum to finish our sets with a decent kick, why is it the forwards fault for Brooks poor kicking?

Watch any team and see how they protect their kicker by sending out blockers.