Luke Brooks addresses off-season Knights links

Joel Helmes · 2022-03-09T23:37:04Z

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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Unhappy Tiger

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March 11, 2022 7:10 pm

Posted by: @geo-2

There were complaints Brooks didn't come out and squash the speculation on moving to the Knights.. Now he has there are still complaints..go figure..

Luke couldn't squash a grape ..let alone speculation

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Boonboon

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March 12, 2022 9:01 am

Honestly though our roster has been horrible the last few years. I dont see any current halfback who would have made us a top 4 team with that roster and I think only probably Cleary would have got us into the 8.

Host of the 2026 Wests Tigers Podcast

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Luke Brooks addresses off-season Knights links