Re: Brooks
Steve on the pod mentions a bit that Brooks is a fair first grader - agreed, but he never led us to finals.
I could count on one hand how many games Brooks has actually starred as the halfback in winning games for us. We’ve won quite a few games in those 10 years when he didn’t do much.
Like most Tiger fans I’m hoping we get a controlling half (from where?). Do we have any coming through like Tallyn?
I’ve always loved supporting Brooksy. He always seemed to give his all and whilst he had deficiencies in parts of his game I hold almost all of the blame for the club for not recruiting the right halves partner for him and playing him as a 6. Our coaching over the past 10yrs has also been garbage. I wish him all the best.
Luke Brooks feels good. It has been a few days since the Wests Tigers half confirmed he would join Manly next season, signalling the impending end of his time at his boyhood club, and he has grown more comfortable with his decision by the hour.
Brooks is relishing the chance to play alongside Daly Cherry-Evans and learn off Anthony Seibold. He cannot wait to link with Tom Trbojevic and some of Manly’s young and emerging stars. There is genuine enthusiasm in his voice as he talks about the future.
At the same time, Brooks makes it clear it was a difficult decision given the sense of loyalty and love he feels for the Tigers. A decade ago, when some of the Tigers other stars headed for the exit door, Brooks remained loyal.
His reward was a decade of disappointment. All these years later he is yet to play finals football and as much as he enjoys working with Tigers coaches Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall, there is a nagging sense that he was pushed into a decision by other members of the club who weren’t necessarily on the same page as the coaches.
As excited as Brooks is about the future, he wants to make it clear his focus remains firmly on the present. He hasn’t given up hope of playing finals football this season. After that, a new chapter starts.
“Obviously I feel good,” he said.
“I am excited about it to be honest. It is a good move for me where I am at in my career. The more time that went on after I made the decision not to stay at the Tigers, the longer it went on, it made me feel like it was the right decision.“
THE DECISION
Brooks entered the final year of his contract on November 1 and the Tigers publicly insisted they would wait until the season began before offering an extension.
Brooks was prepared to wait and was told an offer would arrive in the bye week. It eventually did lob the week after but it wasn’t what had initially been communicated.
Brooks was taken aback and days later, a revised deal was tabled. That was early-June and Brooks thought he would have some time to digest the offer.
A few days later, he was told that the board wanted to put a deadline on him. Brooks began to get the feeling that not everyone at the club was singing from the same hymn sheet.
It was a deal breaker.
He was determined not to do the wrong thing by the club — or Sheens and Marshall — so he made the decision to reject the offer, which was revealed in this masthead on June 11.
“It was straight after the Titans game I sat down with Benji (on the Friday) and he said the people on the board have come back to him and said they need an answer by Sunday,” Brooks said.
“I guess that probably didn’t sit too well with me, them putting that deadline on me after only about a week and a half.
“I had a think about it and I guess out of respect to Benji I said I didn’t want it to drag on. I called him Sunday and said I wasn’t going take up the offer so he could move forward and they could plan things for next year.
“The whole time Benji and Sheensy were upfront with me and telling me that they really wanted me to say.
“They have stuck up for me the whole time. I definitely got that feeling that they were definitely trying to get me to stay.
“Just speaking to Benji, he was disappointed I made the decision to leave but he congratulated me and backed me on my decision as well.”
Asked whether he felt some people in the club were happy for him to go, Brooks said: “I feel like there may have been. With the way it panned out, it seems that way, just with putting the deadline on me to make a decision.
“In the past there have been players they have been in talks with that have dragged on. Then for someone like me who has been loyal to the club, they put a deadline on me which didn’t really sit well with me.
“It was a tough decision to make, especially after everything that has happened. If you take it back three or four weeks before that, I thought that I would be staying.
“It was hard but in the end I think it was the right decision for me and I think I have made the right move not just for me, but for my family.”
THE CLUB
Brooks is as Tigers as they come. He played his junior footy for Holy Cross Rhinos and Leichhardt Wanderers before he signed with the Wests Tigers.
He rose through their junior ranks and made one of the most celebrated debuts in recent history in 2013 at the SCG.
He has gone on to play more than 200 games for the Tigers and won the Dally M halfback of the year in 2018. He has also copped his share of flak over the years but he has come to accept that is par for the course in the NRL.
“Obviously there is going to be times where fans can be disappointed with where we have been over the last few years,” he said.
“Overall they have all been good to me. I have had a lot of bad media and people bagging me. But on the flip side, every time I walk to the shops there is always someone, a Tigers fan, saying they back me and giving me support.
“There are a lot of fans that I have come to know well over the last 10 or so years who have always backed and supported me.
“Even when I made the decision to leave, fans have said they are still going to support me. I would obviously like to thank them.
“They have been good to me over the years. All I ever wanted to do was play for the Tigers. I thought we had a pretty good side but lost a lot of good quality players that it would have been nice to keep. Who knows what we could have created at the Tigers.”
He says he is indebted to Sheens and Marshall for helping him rediscover his love of the game.
“I have been enjoying my footy this year and coming off the back of my 200th game, I thought we were starting to play the way we wanted to,” he said.
“To be honest playing under Sheens and Benji have helped me get my love for the game back and get me playing my best footy.
“So all sorts of things were going through my head. I was enjoying play with the boys as well.
“That’s why I thought I would have stayed. Obviously a few things happened and it changed.”
MANLY MOVE
Before he made the decision to join Manly, Brooks picked the brain of some of his former teammates. Among them was Aaron Woods, the ex-Tigers front rower who recently joined the Sea Eagles.
“I spoke a bit to Woodsy,” he said.
“I was sort of sussing him out before anyone knew about the club. He was saying he was loving it over there. That made me feel better about my decision as well.”
What also made him feel good about his decision was knowing that he will partner Cherry-Evans in the halves.
It would appear the perfect halves combination. Cherry-Evans can take the reins and steer the ship. Brooks can get back to what he does best - run the football.
“I am looking forward to playing with Cherry-Evans — he is in some of the best form of his life,” Brooks said.
“I am looking forward to playing alongside him. I obviously want to learn off him and how he conducts himself. Playing alongside him — we will suit each other.
“The attraction at Manly is that I will be able to play the way I want to play — running the ball. Obviously playing alongside Cherry-Evans, he will let me play my best footy.
“Turbo out the back... they have lots of strike all over the park — a lot of young, good players. Also to play under (Anthony) Seibold, I have heard a lot of good things about him as well.“
HIS LEGACY
Brooks is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and his only wish is to get back as quickly as he can to help the Tigers through what is left of their season.
He insists the finals are not out of reach and he plans to return within a month to help the club make a late charge at the top eight.
“Firstly, I want to get back, make sure my hammy is right, get back in and finish the season on a high,” he said.
“We still have a chance of making the eight. Hopefully we can string a few wins together and once I am back, we can make a charge to the finals.
“Whatever happens, I just want to finish the year on a high, playing good footy and enjoy the rest of the year, the last part of being a Tiger.
“I want to enjoy it.
“To be fair, even though results haven’t gone our way all this season, the coaches and players have still made it a good environment to be in.”
He concedes it will be strange next season playing against the Tigers, the only club he has known.
“I don’t think it has really hit me,” he said.
“Especially now that I am not playing because I am out injured. It will probably hit me when it is my last game.
“It will be a weird feeling but I guess that is the way it is, there are a lot of players that end up changing teams and I am just going to be another one of them.
“It will be weird. It will be strange. The last few years have been pretty tough with results and all that. It has been a rollercoaster ..… but I have met a lot of good people along the way.
“I don’t know where (the club is going) but I wish them all the best.”
Brooks is still keen on a charge to the finals. If he pulls it off it would make an epic Hollywood movie. Whatever he is drinking, give me a swig.
Seriously, what can we do as a fan base to attract players to this club. I honestly think we are only missing a quality half from being a very successful team. When I hear brooks joint DCE, I think if it was in reverse and DCE was joining us, we would be a top 4 team instantly.
I want to do something to help. I hate seeing all this potential be wasted - potential player talent, potentially massive supporter base, potential golden age of wests tigers. How do we as a WT community reverse the media agenda of negativity (which obviously influences player and manager opinion), and advertise the fact that whoever guides this team to finals will be an instant cult hero. Literal fame and fortune awaits the half that can get us into the top half of the comp. Surely that’s a huge selling point.
I’m just a country boy who has never swum in club circles and only supported them from afar. I listen to the pod and read the forum to hear/see members with access to players and staff which sounds like another world. I don’t know what to do to play my bit in our resurrection. I’m wondering whether I should be sending fan mail to potential half prospects to see if I can influence their decision. I know it wouldn’t do much, but I like to think that if a player receives mail (I’m not talking about a social media post, but actual old school handwritten letter) that highlights the floodgates waiting to be opened here, then it could make a small difference.
I guess my long winded point is how do I, as a helpless fan, make a difference that doesn’t involve cancelling membership or amplifying the negativity around the club. Thoughts?
@skippa13 I feel similar. Not sure there is anything we can do other than hope Scott Fulton is the guru he has been portrayed to be
Seriously, what can we do as a fan base to attract players to this club. I honestly think we are only missing a quality half from being a very successful team. When I hear brooks joint DCE, I think if it was in reverse and DCE was joining us, we would be a top 4 team instantly.
I want to do something to help. I hate seeing all this potential be wasted - potential player talent, potentially massive supporter base, potential golden age of wests tigers. How do we as a WT community reverse the media agenda of negativity (which obviously influences player and manager opinion), and advertise the fact that whoever guides this team to finals will be an instant cult hero. Literal fame and fortune awaits the half that can get us into the top half of the comp. Surely that’s a huge selling point.
I’m just a country boy who has never swum in club circles and only supported them from afar. I listen to the pod and read the forum to hear/see members with access to players and staff which sounds like another world. I don’t know what to do to play my bit in our resurrection. I’m wondering whether I should be sending fan mail to potential half prospects to see if I can influence their decision. I know it wouldn’t do much, but I like to think that if a player receives mail (I’m not talking about a social media post, but actual old school handwritten letter) that highlights the floodgates waiting to be opened here, then it could make a small difference.
I guess my long winded point is how do I, as a helpless fan, make a difference that doesn’t involve cancelling membership or amplifying the negativity around the club. Thoughts?
Nicely said, unfortunately there is nothing you can really do. There is no mechanism for change.
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obviously Sheens abd benji did not have a plan b when Brooks elected to move on them....
In Scott we trust lol at present doing well moving on joffa and Brooks lol
Seriously, what can we do as a fan base to attract players to this club. I honestly think we are only missing a quality half from being a very successful team. When I hear brooks joint DCE, I think if it was in reverse and DCE was joining us, we would be a top 4 team instantly.
I want to do something to help. I hate seeing all this potential be wasted - potential player talent, potentially massive supporter base, potential golden age of wests tigers. How do we as a WT community reverse the media agenda of negativity (which obviously influences player and manager opinion), and advertise the fact that whoever guides this team to finals will be an instant cult hero. Literal fame and fortune awaits the half that can get us into the top half of the comp. Surely that’s a huge selling point.
I’m just a country boy who has never swum in club circles and only supported them from afar. I listen to the pod and read the forum to hear/see members with access to players and staff which sounds like another world. I don’t know what to do to play my bit in our resurrection. I’m wondering whether I should be sending fan mail to potential half prospects to see if I can influence their decision. I know it wouldn’t do much, but I like to think that if a player receives mail (I’m not talking about a social media post, but actual old school handwritten letter) that highlights the floodgates waiting to be opened here, then it could make a small difference.
I guess my long winded point is how do I, as a helpless fan, make a difference that doesn’t involve cancelling membership or amplifying the negativity around the club. Thoughts?
Must admit I get frustrated when there is sustained negativity in the media and on the forums. I really do believe it contributes to the struggles with recruiting. I always try to maintain the glass half full approach when posting as I think a positive vibe feeds on itself. Journos read the forums and regurgitate the mood in their stories and I do believe this influences players and player managers in their feelings of being recruited. Turn the vibe around and I reckon the recruitment and energy around the club follows suit.
some on the other forum have suggested souths might run with Walker 7 wighton 6 in 2024 ? maybe Ilias on the outer ?
not a fan of Ilias but hey better than an injured AD or wakeham.
Metcalfe was not too flash for warriors
I hope Fulton is pretty confident on getting latu fainu over the line as not letting Marshall and benji sign Brooks wouldn't happen at other clubs, as if Robinson or Bellamy or bennet would not be allowed to sign the player they wanted.
some on the other forum have suggested souths might run with Walker 7 wighton 6 in 2024 ? maybe Ilias on the outer ?
not a fan of Ilias but hey better than an injured AD or wakeham.
Metcalfe was not too flash for warriors
I just don’t see it. Walker is the ultimate mecurial 6 not a 7 to win a premiership. The weird move was the wighton to south’s move to play a support role in the centres.
some on the other forum have suggested souths might run with Walker 7 wighton 6 in 2024 ? maybe Ilias on the outer ?
not a fan of Ilias but hey better than an injured AD or wakeham.
Metcalfe was not too flash for warriors
I just don’t see it. Walker is the ultimate mecurial 6 not a 7 to win a premiership. The weird move was the wighton to south’s move to play a support role in the centres.
I don't either just found it interesting we don't have many options
Turn the vibe around and I reckon the recruitment and energy around the club follows suit.
Well said that man. Winging all the time just adds to our problem. I don't blame supporters though.
I feel for the many faithful Wests Tigers fans who go to the games every week and have to put up with poor performances and negative media.
That Foxsports goose Hooper is apparently a Wests Tigers supporter but he continually runs us down. Young kids won't choose us to support after listening to his criticism all the time.
Sullivan at the dragons is a tartak player , and he wanted out of that joint for a while .
If we could swing Fainus (looking likely) and now have most of our spine locked in , could we not put pressure on the dragons ? Do we even want to ?
Sullivan at the dragons is a tartak player , and he wanted out of that joint for a while .
If we could swing Fainus (looking likely) and now have most of our spine locked in , could we not put pressure on the dragons ? Do we even want to ?
both Sullivan and Amone I think.
