Luke Brooks has addressed the uncertainty around his NRL future that almost saw the Tigers halfback join the Knights over the summer.
Speculation around Brooks' future has become synonymous with the Tigers' struggles on-field and again resurfaced over the off-season after Michael Maguire's side failed to reach the finals for a 10th straight year.
In the wake of Mitchell Pearce's sudden decision to move to French-based Super League outfit Catalans, Newcastle were reportedly eyeing off a move for Brooks as his replacement.
Having faced the wrath of disappointed Tigers fans for several years, the move to Newcastle, where he'd be working under Knights great and the club's new halves coach Andrew Johns, appeared like a good fit for Brooks at this stage of his career.
Speaking to 7News, Brooks admitted the opportunity to work under Johns would've been alluring but he's happy to remain at Concord and excited for the year ahead.
“You sort of hear the stuff and you can get a bit frustrated, but you’ve just got to worry about what you can do,” Brooks told 7NEWS.
“He (Johns) was probably the best player in the world, so it would have been good, (to play under him) but I’m here at the Tigers.
“I guess there is always going to be talk about it, (but) I’m with the Tigers, I’m excited about staying here.”
Despite finishing 13th in 2021, their worst end to a season in six years and their worst result under coach Maguire, Brooks is confident the club is on the up, admitting a big part of why he wanted to stay was to prove that to the fans.
"I think we are definitely moving in the right direction,” he declared.
“I want to see this club successful and if I am playing my best footy we are a chance at doing that.”
Brooks also accepted the scrutiny that comes with his role as the side's chief playmaker, saying it doesn't affect him.
“Not everyone’s going to be a fan of you," he said.
"From a young age I just sort of learned to not read too much into it and, when I can, just stay away from that sort of stuff."
The Tigers will kick start their season against title heavyweights the Storm, in a match that will see Brooks and new recruit Jackson Hastings line up alongside each other in the halves.
Brooks said he's enjoyed working with Hastings, a former Man of Steel winner in the Super League, over the off-season and believes the pair can strike up a strong combination in 2022.
“I was really happy with the way we sort of worked together, he (Hastings) will add a lot to our attack," he said.
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Didn’t exactly come across as being passionately excited about staying. More like, “well working with Johns would have been great but I’m stuck in a contract here.”
Can’t blame him I suppose
Didn’t exactly come across as being passionately excited about staying. More like, “well working with Johns would have been great but I’m stuck in a contract here.”
Can’t blame him I suppose
I know what you mean,but in fairness to Brooksy he’s never been the effusive,animated type.Although he’s improved,he still never seems particularly relaxed in front of a camera and you’d never describe him as Mr.Articulate.
Hope Luke has a huge game Saturday night.Go Tigaaaahs!
Didn’t exactly come across as being passionately excited about staying. More like, “well working with Johns would have been great but I’m stuck in a contract here.”
Can’t blame him I supposeI know what you mean,but in fairness to Brooksy he’s never been the effusive,animated type.Although he’s improved,he still never seems particularly relaxed in front of a camera and you’d never describe him as Mr.Articulate.
Hope Luke has a huge game Saturday night.Go Tigaaaahs!
That’s a good point TS. I too hope he has a blinder if a game! I should add he’s been a Tiger all his life so there’s probably something to him wanting to stay. Hope so anyway
Unless he improves out of sight I can't see him getting his contract renewed.
@tigersteve Being a sole clubman in this day and age,especially in the climate of player horse trading and skullduggery is almost impossible and a thing of the past.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of supporting a team was to watch the development of the junior player,earmarking him as a prospect and ultimately watching him debut in the big time.Something of a rarity nowadays.
Another great podcast,really enjoyed the talking tactics from all of you.
Well done in the quiz mate!A walking compendium....😂😂
Should have gone. It would have been best for all parties. After almost a decade in first grade with only one or two really good years it’s time for a change. Brooks is stale, predictable and ineffective at the Wests Tigers. Time to say goodbye Luke Brooks and hello Jock Madden.
@tigersteve Being a sole clubman in this day and age,especially in the climate of player horse trading and skullduggery is almost impossible and a thing of the past.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of supporting a team was to watch the development of the junior player,earmarking him as a prospect and ultimately watching him debut in the big time.Something of a rarity nowadays.
Another great podcast,really enjoyed the talking tactics from all of you.
Well done in the quiz mate!A walking compendium....😂😂
Thanks mate.
Got a bit of a leg up I reckon on the quiz. Might be different next week!!
If the deal with the Knights was financially acceptable to us then it was absolute lunacy not to let him go.
Whether you rate Brooks as a player or not he's the highest paid player at the club, being paid at elite player level and he's not come close to justifying that level of money.
If the deal with the Knights was financially acceptable to us then it was absolute lunacy not to let him go.
Whether you rate Brooks as a player or not he's the highest paid player at the club, being paid at elite player level and he's not come close to justifying that level of money.
I just wonder how true the whole Newcastle story was,;the fact that Brooks was on the verge of signing only to be coerced into staying at the eleventh hour.Reads well but sounded more like Newcastle desperation and player manager speak trying to hype up the situation.
Agree Luke hasn’t lived up to elite status and is verymuch maligned.The ongoing debates as to the whys and wherefores continue.As for his wage,I’ve seen it reported from 575k through to 950k.I really don’t know.Does anyone here?
For mine it would’ve been absolute lunacy to let him go,replacing him by a promising 3 gamer in Jock Madden.Good halves don’t grow on trees,and Luke Brooks is still a good halfback.
@tigersteve Being a sole clubman in this day and age,especially in the climate of player horse trading and skullduggery is almost impossible and a thing of the past.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of supporting a team was to watch the development of the junior player,earmarking him as a prospect and ultimately watching him debut in the big time.Something of a rarity nowadays.
Another great podcast,really enjoyed the talking tactics from all of you.
Well done in the quiz mate!A walking compendium....😂😂
Thanks mate.
Got a bit of a leg up I reckon on the quiz. Might be different next week!!
You mean you cheated… lol
@tigersteve Being a sole clubman in this day and age,especially in the climate of player horse trading and skullduggery is almost impossible and a thing of the past.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of supporting a team was to watch the development of the junior player,earmarking him as a prospect and ultimately watching him debut in the big time.Something of a rarity nowadays.
Another great podcast,really enjoyed the talking tactics from all of you.
Well done in the quiz mate!A walking compendium....😂😂
Thanks mate.
Got a bit of a leg up I reckon on the quiz. Might be different next week!!
You mean you cheated… lol
He was well and truly prepared for the quiz lol
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@tigersteve Being a sole clubman in this day and age,especially in the climate of player horse trading and skullduggery is almost impossible and a thing of the past.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of supporting a team was to watch the development of the junior player,earmarking him as a prospect and ultimately watching him debut in the big time.Something of a rarity nowadays.
Another great podcast,really enjoyed the talking tactics from all of you.
Well done in the quiz mate!A walking compendium....😂😂
Thanks mate.
Got a bit of a leg up I reckon on the quiz. Might be different next week!!
You mean you cheated… lol
We were told quiz would focus on round 1 so I used that to my advantage.
but yeah you’re right lol
cmon Mike, with my memory I need all the help I can get. I can’t remember who played wing last year let alone some obscure year like 2005 for example 😀
