I see this as another example of the club over-reacting to cover their backsides for prior mistakes. In 2017, Brooks stayed on for a 2 year extension when Moses, Brooks and Tedesco had left. I think that was good business. Yet in 2018, under Clearly, Brooks has a 'break-out' season getting him awarded with the Dally M half-back of the year.
The club, in an effort to avoid being criticised for 'letting another one go', signs him up to a 5 year extension. Why sign him to a 5 year deal? Even in his award winning season, the club missed out on the top 8. Extend him for 3 years maybe? 5 year contracts are reserved for the elite few players in the game. Brooks has never been in this league and I think it was 'criminal' to offer him this contract in the first place.
It cannot be discounted how much the decisions in 2017/2018 have set the club back.
In terms of the decision to not release him at the beginning of the year... Well we didn't get Douehi back until Round 14. I think it shows the players (and fans) that the year is written off before it starts. Further, if you have given Madge KPI in terms of points and making the top 8 etc, but then take away his 'playmaker', you are sending everyone the wrong message. Remember selling memberships is important to the club as well.
The only value in dropping him is to see the JH/AD combination develop. Outside of that, if we want to get him off the books at the end of the year, putting him in reserve grade only impairs his value to the open market. I think any money saved from his contract next year can assist the club in investing in other areas of the roster which is desperately needed.
Should be moved on? Yes he should be. As Sheens said, "this is a results driven business" and he hasn't delivered in results. Make the call from now. See Roosters with Pearce, they made the hard call on him, got Cooper Cronk and won two premierships... Well we can only dream!
I respectfully disagree with that assessment. The point would have been if you are not performing then you shouldn’t be in the NRL squad. That would have sent a strong message to all players. As it is now the players know that they don’t need to perform. Just do the basics because the chances of being dropped, which would diminish their value to other clubs, is virtually non-existent.
Valid point Mike. Mediocrity has been accepted too long at the club and a line should be drawn in the sand. My point is probably more a commercial/financial consideration as opposed to a team harmony/player management one. In particular because Brooks has one year left on his contract and we would likely need to part pay his contract if he is moved next year.
I appreciate it is a delicate trade off for the club. I would imagine that the club decided to take the commercial/financial consideration while encumbering the new coach with the responsibility of enforcing some form of performance standard with the players.
In addition to that, to ensure that we have the depth and competition in places to enable to club to 'punish' poor performances, we need cap space to get players into the club which apply this type of pressure on places and performances.
Of course, my assessment is based on the assumption that Brooks is being moved on at the end of the season (perhaps that is the only logic I can see that leads the club to persist with him). In the event that this assumption is incorrect, I 100% agree that Brooks needs to be dropped for his performances to date as they should not be concerned about his open market value.
@jedi-tiger your working under the assumption that putting Brooks in the shop window by playing him in first grade is likely to increase interest from other clubs when the evidence from this season would suggest the opposite is the case.
I also don't really get the dislike for Douhie at five eighth, he's only played a few games there and any time I saw him he was our best player. For sure there are things he could improve on but I don't think he at least deserves first crack at the jersey.
Also forget about signing Munster or Burton, that ship has well and truly sailed.
He isn't a natural 5/8 ...too often he premeditates what he is going to do no matter whether it is on or not ...how many cut outs have you seen to Nofa when it just isn't on ......he has a good running game and I think centre is his best position ...13 is a big risk at the moment ...let him get some footy in his body 1st
I'd personally like to see Laurie get a run at 5/8. I remember when we signed him Gus said he thinks of him more as a 5/8.
Brooks named at 6 but looks like will go to 9 at some point
interesting
@unhappy-tiger look how well Burton play centre, Douhie can do the same
Brooks named at 6 but looks like will go to 9 at some point
interesting
I'd love for these supposed "experts"in the media who come out and make claims of knowing what clubs are doing selections wise to put there careers on their calls
The NRL 360 nuffies should be apologizing to the WT's for the crap they pulled last week with Brooks
I'm not sure how we can arrive at any reasonable conclusion around Douhie's abilities as a five eighth when he's played less than half a season beside a chronically bad Luke Brooks and still looked like our best attacking option. He's also committed to the club and widely tipped as a future captain.
I've seen enough from AD to believe that he has what it takes to be a very good five eighth given the right coaching and development, he just needs time and a run in the side.
Do we not think he deserves a chance to play with Hastings who even made Brooks look reasonable for a few weeks. Brooks was given seven years to prove himself an NRL standard half back but we are expecting AD to do it in half a season or he's in the bin.
@unhappy-tiger only a fool would have thought Brooks would get dropped when we were not even playing a game that week
The lies about is salary the agenda is terrible from nrl360 and DT and SMH all lies. No way in the world Brooks is on 1.1 million
@barra Passion does not equal skill and right fit though
Not saying Brooks is the answer either
I don't think either are go for Dylan Brown from Parramatta then or Munster or Burton
I'm not sure how we can arrive at any reasonable conclusion around Douhie's abilities as a five eighth when he's played less than half a season beside a chronically bad Luke Brooks and still looked like our best attacking option. He's also committed to the club and widely tipped as a future captain.
I've seen enough from AD to believe that he has what it takes to be a very good five eighth given the right coaching and development, he just needs time and a run in the side.
Do we not think he deserves a chance to play with Hastings who even made Brooks look reasonable for a few weeks. Brooks was given seven years to prove himself an NRL standard half back but we are expecting AD to do it in half a season or he's in the bin.
Maybe we get to see that when Brooks goes to 9 to give Fa Brown a break
@barra Passion does not equal skill and right fit though
Not saying Brooks is the answer either
I don't think either are go for Dylan Brown from Parramatta then or Munster or Burton
Yeah of course not mate! But AD does also have decent natural talent and physical build as well as the passion and drive and will to win.
Agree that Brooks is not the answer and the realist in me won't entertain any chance of us snaring a Burton or Munster or even a Brown. It doesn't leave us a lot of options for the immediate future!
looks like Brooks is not getting dropped
mind you this is from the same folks that brought you
Brooks on 850k
Brooks on 950k
Brooks on 1.1 million
Brooks on 1.3 million
Pure guesswork so you never know
My theory is that Kimmorley wanted to/intended to drop Brooks but got over called.
Then why have Kimmorley there? They should let him make his own decisions.
@eastiemagpie Brooks was never being dripped it was a BS article from Hooper who has NFI
next week against Parramatta different story if Brooks doesn't play well AD might be ready at 6 in coaches eyes 2 game back
@eastiemagpie Brooks has been protected from day one ! This attitude is why no finals for over a decade , the last 2 weeks is more evidence of that . It’s not hard to find a leak it’s just no one is interested finding it .
@jedi-tiger your working under the assumption that putting Brooks in the shop window by playing him in first grade is likely to increase interest from other clubs when the evidence from this season would suggest the opposite is the case.
I also don't really get the dislike for Douhie at five eighth, he's only played a few games there and any time I saw him he was our best player. For sure there are things he could improve on but I don't think he at least deserves first crack at the jersey.
Also forget about signing Munster or Burton, that ship has well and truly sailed.
100% my thinking too!
Watch out for the bergs
