Wests Tigers set to unleash Luke Brooks in bid to end finals drought

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks is not just stepping out of Benji Marshall’s considerable shadow, he’s running from it.

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has conceded “it’s time to step up and take control” while admitting his club had “no excuses” for another season of failure.

His comments come as Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire urged Brooks to take on opposition defensive lines more this season.

Wests Tigers have missed the finals for the past nine years with Brooks aware he and his club will start the season under heavy external expectations.

With the lengthy and legendary shadow of Benji Marshall having left Concord, Brooks now has complete authority over his underachieving side.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

It’s time for Luke Brooks (L) to step out of the shadow of the departed playmaker Benji Marshall. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

“Benji has a big voice and there were probably times when I let him take control because of who he is. It’s a good thing for me to step up now. There are no excuses,” Brooks said.

“I’ve got to take control. I’m probably one of the most experienced players. It could be a good thing for me. I don’t feel too much pressure but I know that it’s there. We just have to get there. Unfortunately we haven’t done that yet.

“The way we’re going to play, with my controlling the team, being that traditional halfback, and not being stuck to one side, playing all around the park, that suits my footy.

“A couple of years ago, when I thought I was playing my best footy, I was playing that way. Having that ownership and having that role, will help me take it to the next level.

“There is a lot of pressure externally on us and myself because we haven’t made the finals. Playing the finals, that’s where I want to get to. I have been here for seven-odd years and you want to play in those big games.

“I want to have success at the Tigers and I don’t think we’re far off. This year could be the year. To win grand finals, you have to make the finals. For me, that’s where we need to get to.”

The Wests Tigers want Luke Brooks running on both sides of the field in 2021. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Maguire offered high praise for Brooks’ off-season training focus and wants his champion halfback to take on the defensive line more this season.

“He is really owning where he’s at in his career. He understands his influence and role on the team. It is something he is really taking accountability for. His position now, where he can really drive and own the team, he can take control,” Maguire said.

“He will bob up on both sides of the field. Sometimes you play a traditional left and right but, for ‘Brooksy’, I’m giving him the opportunity to roam around the field and his ability to get up over the ad (advantage) line and challenge defensive lines; taking the line on and getting the ball in his hands.

“I want to see him doing it consistently. He is working hard to be a director and be on the ball more. The way we want to play is a little different than in the past.”

Brooks has knocked back the ‘myth’ that Michael Maguire is a tough task master. Picture: Toby Zerna

Brooks defended ongoing speculation Maguire was too hard on his playing roster.

“It’s a myth. Every pre-season – no matter where you are – it’s going to be tough. The myth of him training the players too hard is just that, a myth,” Brooks said. “This pre-season he has looked after us and it actually hasn’t been too long. We’re feeling fresh going into the first couple of trials.

“This year is a new year and we are a new team. That’s all we can worry about – we can’t think about the past. You can’t change it. Now we just focus on playing our best footy and getting there this year. I’m pretty confident in what we can achieve this year.”

Asked had Wests Tigers been soft under pressure in recent seasons, Brooks said: “I wouldn’t say soft, I’d say inconsistent. At our best, we can match it with any team over the years.

“But we can’t find that consistency of playing our best footy week in, week out. There have been plenty of times where we have been in a position to make the finals but we just fell short.”

Dismissing his club’s finals drought, Maguire said: “We are focusing on the ‘now’.”

Originally published as Wests Tigers set to unleash Luke Brooks in bid to end finals drought