Why Can't Brooks Kick?

[stevied]

I've already watched a few games this weekend and I couldn't help but notice how many teams are able to gain repeat sets with deft stab kicks into the in goal. Obviously, Thurston is highly skilled in this area but I also noticed his team mate, Hampton put a beautifully weighted kick into the in goal and both Cronk and Keary do it with ease. The point I'm making is that, is it really that difficult and why can't Luke Brooks do the same, especially if part timers like Hampton can do it? There are numerous players around the league who are adept at it and yet our halfback and main play maker can't seem to improve his skills in this area.

 

[WestsBenTigers]

I think Brooks has improved his short-kicking game. In the 2nd trial, Thompson scored from one of his grubbers and Benji almost scored against the Roosters. He also put in a few good kicks and gained us a couple repeat sets.

 

[Geo]

I'll keep a tally for you in 2018…. so far 1 repeat set gained ..Zero 7 tackle sets conceded..

I notice you didn't mention when those players give up 7 tackle sets tho..happened a bit from them in Rd 1..

 

[The_Patriot]

If he gets it right he lasts the season, if he cant get his kicking game sorted he wont last.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He got one last week.

 

[hobbo]

Maybe Brooks needs to go to spec savers ?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

If he gets it right he lasts the season, if he cant get his kicking game sorted he wont last.

Sort of like how everyone is convinced Lawrence and Kev are on their last chance this week. I think Cleary’s expectations are not the same as this forum. What will be interesting is if he persists with the same team selections throughout the year, will the forum start to turn on him. Idk how people keep criticising the team selections, but not the man responsible.

 

[hobbo]

If he gets it right he lasts the season, if he cant get his kicking game sorted he wont last.

Sort of like how everyone is convinced Lawrence and Kev are on their last chance this week. I think Cleary’s expectations are not the same as this forum. What will be interesting is if he persists with the same team selections throughout the year, will the forum start to turn on him. Idk how people keep criticising the team selections, but not the man responsible.

Don't worry … Cleary will cop it if Lawrence and Kev are under performing and keep getting selected

We already have better replacement players waiting ...

No excuses this year !

 

[The_Patriot]

If he gets it right he lasts the season, if he cant get his kicking game sorted he wont last.

Sort of like how everyone is convinced Lawrence and Kev are on their last chance this week. I think Cleary’s expectations are not the same as this forum. What will be interesting is if he persists with the same team selections throughout the year, will the forum start to turn on him. Idk how people keep criticising the team selections, but not the man responsible.

No doubt the knives will be out for Cleary if people dont understand his decisions but at the same time i think Cleary is a measured man who is patient and views things a little differently than most.

Kev is there for now as he adds a bit of flair. But if he offers up another one or two games like last week when he is dropped he wont be back. Id say thats how Cleary will play it.

He will pick the team on a week to week basis but i wouldnt confuse that with his overall opinion of any player or his end game.

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Cleary has demonstrated his willingness to make tough decisions. Nofoaluma, who is on very good money for a winger, would be in ISP today if it weren't for injury. How long do you persist with a winger who can't or won't defend who is on a good contract?

 

[Tigrr]

It makes sense to give some average players (Kev,Tui, Brooks) a chance early on as it is a very long season and they may not be there at the end due to natural injury rates etc

 

[gallagher]

He got one last week.

Even then it was after Tedesco fumbled the ball in the field of play then it went into the in goal off Marshall's foot.
Technically Benji got the repeat set.

 

[yeti]

Cleary quite clearly stated a couple of weeks ago that he expects that the team that ends the season will probably be very different from the one that starts the season (injuries not withstanding).
He's not willing to risk too much too early. There are enough necessary changes to the roster - Packer, Mats, Reynolds etc - without necessarily making non-essential changes (such as Gamble). Wait a half dozen rounds before we start to see the longer term preferred team.

 

[newtiger]

He got one last week.

Even then it was after Tedesco fumbled the ball in the field of play then it went into the in goal off Marshall's foot.
Technically Benji got the repeat set.

That's a bit of nit picking.

 

[newtiger]

If he gets it right he lasts the season, if he cant get his kicking game sorted he wont last.

Sort of like how everyone is convinced Lawrence and Kev are on their last chance this week. I think Cleary’s expectations are not the same as this forum. What will be interesting is if he persists with the same team selections throughout the year, will the forum start to turn on him. Idk how people keep criticising the team selections, but not the man responsible.

I thought that Roudy play okay last game, nothing that warranted being dropped.
Ivan wants workers and that's what Roudy and RR provided last week.

 

[Geo]

He got one last week.

Even then it was after Tedesco fumbled the ball in the field of play then it went into the in goal off Marshall's foot.
Technically Benji got the repeat set.

:laughing:
Teddy almost had the TRY assist too… :unamused:

 

[gallagher]

He got one last week.

Even then it was after Tedesco fumbled the ball in the field of play then it went into the in goal off Marshall's foot.
Technically Benji got the repeat set.

That's a bit of nit picking.

Yeah I know.
But still, the ball wasn't going into the in goal if it didn't come off Teddy. It's an obvious area he has to work on.

 

[stevied]

All players have to work on their weaknesses but what you hope for is improvement. I am not deliberately looking to put the knives into Brooks. He's a good guy with improved defense and a handy running game. My point is, why is it so hard when other players, not even halves are able to do it? I remember Teddy, last year, was quite good at it. Does he leave the kick too late, with the defense on him, does he stand too flat or does he have a rotten aim? Anyway, I'm sure Benji will continue to do most of the short kicks in the immediate future.

 

[jrtiger]

Brooks was able to do it in the early stages of his career quite capably, so I don't believe it's an issue of talent or consistency, but confidence.

 

[Fade_To_Black]

Brooks just needs to focus a bit more on kicking into space, 9 out of 10 times he kicks it into a defenders' legs. As Ivan had written on the whiteboard "in attack maximise the space, in defence minimise the space".