Why Maguire is standing by Brooks

[Needaname]

Geez I like Madge’s faith in the guy, but I think that Brooks has been around long enough for us all to see he doesn’t really have what it takes to be a top flite halfback. Slightly above average? Yes, he’s had some good games, but he is far from being a consistent, influential halfback. I guess there is some hope he will eventually develop into one, Cleary has taken a couple of years to get to the level he is playing at now, but he is younger and hasn’t been playing first grade as long as Brooks has.

Still I’m not the coach, Madge is, and if he thinks he can develop him then good luck to him. All I know is, that if there is no real change in the way he plays in coming seasons then Madge’s declaration that Brooks will be our long term halfback doesn’t make me feel too happy.

Cleary has been very good this year, it looks like he has progressed from a limited, control type to a more all round halfback. It is very hard to tell if it is him that is better, or the forwards are giving him more space, time will tell.

Difference is in the development of the two.
Cleary was a gun runner and kicker in the 20s just as Brooks was.
The difference is by far the environment that they came into.
Nathan came into a top Panthers side playing alongside an established half in Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace. His initial years in the game his focus was on becoming the total organiser for the team with focus being kicking and passing, we all stated that cleary had no running game and is a one dimensional half. Now that he has grown in the game and learnt how to control the tempo of a game his more confident in using another skill set.
Brooks however came in to the team and he was set up with a halves partner and hooker that would always control the team. For whatever reason he would never feel the need to start to dominate the organising.
He would do plenty of freakish off the cuff plays that come off from shear determination but he never has settled into the role as the main guy.
I think the time viewing from afar and also the new roster being built in a way where it is not dependant on any one position to win a game is a positive move forwards and will certainly assist Brooks in becoming an organising half.

 

[Geo]

IMO. Dropping benji earlier in the season was beyond questionable.
Benji was arguably the best playmaker in the comp for the first few weeks. He keeps brooks and brooks inevitably hams it up.
Then he puts brooks in the bench.
Doesn’t make sense

Get where you're coming from. Feel he has punished both for defense and to show the team as a whole they need to respond.

Agree that Brooks on the bench is strange and don't like it. Was disappointed that when Doueihi went off that we didn't have better options.

It’s almost as if it is Madge’s grand plan to finally show everyone that Brooks doesn’t belong anywhere near the 17. If so, it’s rather brutal.

Wouldn't that mean just not picking him at all..that certainly would show he doesn't belong..

 

[mike]

It seems Madge wants him to be the one to displace Marshall and force his hand not to play him.
In the first 60 minutes Brooks will sit on the bench and study Marshall’s game and the way he will organise the play. Then he gets his 20mins audition to close out the game.
No doubt Brooks can play 80mins but he needs to be playing the full 80 like he will now play the last 20.
Last week was a write off with injuries.

Maybe you are right, but then Benji should be taken off so Brooks can do this, with Benji still on the field it never works for Brooks, and looking to the future it makes sense

You can’t use Benji as an excuse for Brooks. He was even worse when Benji wasn’t playing.

Brooks just needs to sort out his headspace. The issue is with Brooks, nobody else.

Brooks has issues with or without Benji, but they are exaggerated when Benji is there, and if Brooks is ever gonna lead, then Benji should come off for Brooks to go on, otherwise we are just doing the same thing over and over again, and they are not working

Sorry but I can’t agree with that. No more excuses for Brooks he’s the one that needs to fix his deficiencies.

Excuses put out on this forum.
1) Robbie won’t left him lead - nope
2) Can’t do your job behind a weak forward pack, no go forward - nope forward pack is developing nicely
3) Benji exacerbates Brooks deficiencies- rubbish

Brooks is the only one that can fix Brooks, period.

 

[happy_tiger]

IMO. Dropping benji earlier in the season was beyond questionable.
Benji was arguably the best playmaker in the comp for the first few weeks. He keeps brooks and brooks inevitably hams it up.
Then he puts brooks in the bench.
Doesn’t make sense

Get where you're coming from. Feel he has punished both for defense and to show the team as a whole they need to respond.

Agree that Brooks on the bench is strange and don't like it. Was disappointed that when Doueihi went off that we didn't have better options.

It’s almost as if it is Madge’s grand plan to finally show everyone that Brooks doesn’t belong anywhere near the 17. If so, it’s rather brutal.

Wouldn't that mean just not picking him at all..that certainly would show he doesn't belong..

He probably would but he is too scared how you'd react

 

[happy_tiger]

It seems Madge wants him to be the one to displace Marshall and force his hand not to play him.
In the first 60 minutes Brooks will sit on the bench and study Marshall’s game and the way he will organise the play. Then he gets his 20mins audition to close out the game.
No doubt Brooks can play 80mins but he needs to be playing the full 80 like he will now play the last 20.
Last week was a write off with injuries.

Maybe you are right, but then Benji should be taken off so Brooks can do this, with Benji still on the field it never works for Brooks, and looking to the future it makes sense

You can’t use Benji as an excuse for Brooks. He was even worse when Benji wasn’t playing.

Brooks just needs to sort out his headspace. The issue is with Brooks, nobody else.

Brooks has issues with or without Benji, but they are exaggerated when Benji is there, and if Brooks is ever gonna lead, then Benji should come off for Brooks to go on, otherwise we are just doing the same thing over and over again, and they are not working

Sorry but I can’t agree with that. No more excuses for Brooks he’s the one that needs to fix his deficiencies.

Excuses put out on this forum.
1) Robbie won’t left him lead - nope
2) Can’t do your job behind a weak forward pack, no go forward - nope forward pack is developing nicely
3) Benji exacerbates Brooks deficiencies- rubbish

Brooks is the only one that can fix Brooks, period.

Finally some common sense .....

 

[Tigerdave]

I think a lot of supporters want this to work and for Brooks to finally comes out as an organiser, but I'm not holding my breath. He seems to lack a lot of confidence in himself.

 

[happy_tiger]

I think a lot of supporters want this to work and for Brooks to finally comes out as an organiser, but I'm not holding my breath. He seems to lack a lot of confidence in himself.

Like in a sense you can understand that ....how many coaches has he had

But if he can't work out what works and what doesn't by now I can't see it ever happen

I see his faults more openly when I watch him live ...like the Penrith game magic round .....this gap opens in front of him late in the 2nd half and the three of us can see it and scream go Brooks ....he completely misses it .....but his action created the gap ....it was like he didn't realize by doing A and B that C would happen ...ie the gaping hole

 

[TYGA]

In reality if we are going to challenge at all this year in my view our best halves are Benji and Brooks and our best bench utility is Mbye.

If Brooks comes good and young Kepoa can hit the ground running at wing with Talau and BJ in the centres we have the forward pack to do damage.

Lots of moving parts but if it comes together we will have very few weak links.

 

[851]

It seems Madge wants him to be the one to displace Marshall and force his hand not to play him.
In the first 60 minutes Brooks will sit on the bench and study Marshall’s game and the way he will organise the play. Then he gets his 20mins audition to close out the game.
No doubt Brooks can play 80mins but he needs to be playing the full 80 like he will now play the last 20.
Last week was a write off with injuries.

Maybe you are right, but then Benji should be taken off so Brooks can do this, with Benji still on the field it never works for Brooks, and looking to the future it makes sense

You can’t use Benji as an excuse for Brooks. He was even worse when Benji wasn’t playing.

Brooks just needs to sort out his headspace. The issue is with Brooks, nobody else.

Brooks has issues with or without Benji, but they are exaggerated when Benji is there, and if Brooks is ever gonna lead, then Benji should come off for Brooks to go on, otherwise we are just doing the same thing over and over again, and they are not working

Sorry but I can’t agree with that. No more excuses for Brooks he’s the one that needs to fix his deficiencies.

Excuses put out on this forum.
1) Robbie won’t left him lead - nope
2) Can’t do your job behind a weak forward pack, no go forward - nope forward pack is developing nicely
3) Benji exacerbates Brooks deficiencies- rubbish

Brooks is the only one that can fix Brooks, period.

I don't think you get me, I don't rate Brooks, I would be happy to let Brooks and Benji go, but that doesn't seem like it will happen, so I am offering up my suggestion for moving forward, but on point 3, I disagree, Brooks seems nervous or scared when Benji is playing, that is my opinion

 

[tbones10]

Hopefully I'm wrong but Brooks is just not a No 7 nor a leader. After 7 years in 1st grade and over 150 odd games he still needs mentoring and seems to lack confidence being completely dominated by his no. 6's in that time, Moses & Marshall.
Fantastic runner of the ball, very quick, possibly a number 6 or a 1, but not a 7.

Blood Madden and trade Brooks to the Bronco's

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

 

[jag]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

 

[avocadoontoast]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

Fisher Harris is the leader of that pack. Has been all season.

 

[Guest]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

Fisher Harris is the leader of that pack. Has been all season.

Agreed. Tamou will set us back, I don't see the value for money there.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

Fisher Harris is the leader of that pack. Has been all season.

Agreed. Tamou will set us back, I don't see the value for money there.

The worst thing about TAMOU is that he suits our previous criteria for signing "big name players past he's best and looking for a super annuation plan hopefully Madge and others can see this.Proctor whilst some may think he falls into the same class offers far more than Tamou.

 

[Strider]

Proctor is way better for us than Tamou. I'd be gutted if we signed Tamou and not Proctor.

 

[Magpieger]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

I'd prefer Spencer Leniu, but he's probably the succession plan for Tamou. Keegan Hipgrave is up for grabs, he seems to have the competitive fire in his belly, a bit of mongrel in him too. We need that kind of need starch.

 

[Strider]

Tamau must be a false rumour. No way we can be that stupid 👍

 

[barra]

Big no to Tamou!!

I'm actually supportive of giving Brooks a chance to rise again without Benji in the team. Not making excuses for him but IMO some of his best games were definitely when Benj was at #9. Brooks doesn't display big team management aspects but he can be an excellent half.

You don't become a dud for no reason, there has to be something to this.

 

[WT2K]

the future.
BROOKS IS THE TIGERS MAN, BUT HE NEEDS HELP

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has felt the blowtorch this week after picking up the unwanted record of having played 145 NRL matches across seven seasons for zero finals appearances.

But Tigers coach Michael Maguire is adamant Brooks will be the club’s long-term playmaker.

What Brooks is in desperate need of is some seasoned front-rowers, like James Tamou, to add a harder edge to the Tigers forward pack.

The Tigers need to sharpen the pencil to try and land Tamou’s signature.

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe keeps banging on about how good the club’s new centre of excellence will be when its finished in 2022.

But a facility won’t win the Tigers a premiership. Just look at the Broncos and the ill-fated Clive Berghofer Centre.

The right people are what creates a winning club.

The dribble about Maguire losing the dressing room is nothing more than a few disgruntled players causing problems.

Maguire is part of the Tigers solution, not part of the problem

After last nights game we will be in more trouble if we sign up the big plodder Tamou. Too old and too slow. Big mistake doesn’t make any impact prefer Penrith bench forwards who were awesome last night against Broncos.

Fisher Harris is the leader of that pack. Has been all season.

Yep. Need to stay well clear of Tamou.