My opinion is if he signs with Newcastle for 2024 and asks for a release we should grant it. I think it's the fair thing to do and it gives us the opportunity to see Laurie in the 6 and give Staines a run at 1.
I can't without a replacement
With the money you get from Brooks being released can get you a pretty handy utility and still have a chunk of cash leftover. If desperate can put AD in the halves.
I don't think Brooks changes where we finish on the ladder and therefore having him as our highest paid player makes zero sense. We're not winning next year, and if we make the 8 it wont be because of Brooks..
Once again Avo gets it right 👍
The money is irrelevant. The replacement that you can get for next year is all that matters. Even if Newcastle pays full freight, it is totally pointless and irrelevant (you have to pay your full cap) unless we replace that roster spot with someone better than Brooks.
On a separate note, I dont understand brooks supposed desire to go to Newcastle. He is a Balmain boy, new broom through the club, new opportunities, new hooker feeding him. Lots of things on the up. Newcastle on the other hand look to still be on the way down with a poor coach and questionable culture.
Are you saying there is no better way for the Tigers to spend $800k in 2023 than Luke Brooks?
Maybe, maybe not. Season starts in 4 months, not many good players available for 2023. Who do you suggest we stake the success of this club on that is available for 23. Brooks is off Contract for 24 anyway. Who do you spend that money on that is worth getting rid of arguably our best 6 for (yes he has many faults...its an indictment on the club)?
Making the same mistake Newcastle are still trying to recover from.
@jedi-tiger Yes, he's requesting an immediate release. He says he never wants to play for the Tigers again and is wearing a Knights jersey. Do you release him? Yes or no?
If the Tigers do not get favorable financial outcome then what is the point in releasing him?
I think if the knights really want him for 23 then they have to come to the party with the $$$'s otherwise he plays out his contract... whether that is in NRL or KOE Cup is up to how well Brooks plays to be honest because he would have clearly lost all the benefits of having long term Tigers contract.
Let's assume Brooks is currently not on our roster, but all else is the same. Would you spend $800k to secure Brooks now on a 1 year deal for 2023?
Thats not the argument though. The argument isnt "is Luke Brooks worth his 2023 Contract?". The argument is "would our squad be stronger for 2023 without Luke Brooks?". Two very different questions, two very different answers.
@tiger5150 that is the question who replaces him for 2023, we let Madden go ?
what needs to be of more concern is 2024 and whether Hastings wants to continue to play 13, if he doesn't you never know Newcastle may switch tact and go with
1. Garrick
6. Ponga
7. Hastings
If any deal is struck with Brooks in 2024 at wests tigers it won't be the 2023 1 million or is it 1.1 million or is it 900 k like was reported last week, it will be for much less in 2024.
@tiger5150 I don't think comparing Pearce to Brooks is fair to Pearce. Pearce is a premiership winning, representative halfback that is a strong game manager. Brooks has never had a winning season and can't manage a game to save his life. I don't replace him with anyone. I put Laurie at 6 and I put Hastings at 7 and I play Staines at 1. Money saved from letting him go gets you Nathan Brown AND a utility which i think would be better for the club.
@tiger5150 That is absolutely the argument. Is $800k for Luke Brooks the best way for the WT to spend their money in 2023. I don't think it is.
@tiger5150 The squad in 2023 is stronger with Luke brooks in it for 2023. Is he work the 900k or 1.1 million for 2023 (this is back ended) probably not but hopefully behind the scenes Sheens is working on a Chris Laurence type of deal where the 2023 salary can be spread over 2024 and 2025.
@avocadoontoast Sheens seems to not see Hastings as a 7 though so that is the problem with that scenario. If hebdid then Brooks would probably be gone
I wouldn't be happy to go into the season with a Hastings/ AD halves combo, so would like a replacement half.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@avocadoontoast it is not the money though it is who can replace him for 2023 that is the issue
@tiger5150 I don't think comparing Pearce to Brooks is fair to Pearce. Pearce is a premiership winning, representative halfback that is a strong game manager. Brooks has never had a winning season and can't manage a game to save his life. I don't replace him with anyone. I put Laurie at 6 and I put Hastings at 7 and I play Staines at 1. Money saved from letting him go gets you Nathan Brown AND a utility which i think would be better for the club.
Im not comparing Pearce to Brooks, Im comparing Newcastle to WT in getting rid of their halfback without a replacement.
IMO WT with Brooks and without Nathan Brown is stronger than the other way around but that is purely my opinion and yours is obviously the opposite and thats cool. Specifically Im not comfortable relying on a bloke at 6 that has never played first grade in that position and not comfortable having no back up. Id feel better about it if we still had Madden as a back up.
I dont understand Brooks thinking going to Newcastle but if he decides to for 2024, good luck to him and we have 12 months to replace him. until then (IMO) Brooks needs to stay.
newcastle may well 2023 end up
1. Garrick
6. Ponga
7. Gamble
May not even chase Brooks for 2024 who knows
@tiger5150 exactly, 2024 replace him with Moses, Dylan Brown or whoever but 2023 he stays
@tiger5150 That is absolutely the argument. Is $800k for Luke Brooks the best way for the WT to spend their money in 2023. I don't think it is.
Luke Brooks is not worth $800K, unquestionably. We have to spend the cap though meaning the money is irrelevant. What is relevant is who you can get to replace him. The season starts in 4 months and most players are locked up. Im not against replacing him, I am totally against getting rid of him without a replacement. Its an obviously a struggle to get players to come here so what would make anyone think we will necessarily replace him with better....could replace him with A.Fifita and someone from reggies.
