Luke Brooks unveiled by Manly Sea Eagles, reveals plan to unlock Josh Schuster’s potential

Having spent his entire first grade career at the Tigers, Luke Brooks has kicked off his new journey on Sydney’s northern beaches - and he has turned his focus to the club’s maligned star.

Luke Brooks spoke to the media for the first time as a Sea Eagles player. Credit: Twitter

Luke Brooks has vowed to help unlock the attacking genius of Josh Schuster as he celebrates his move to Manly by setting his sights on ending the longest finals drought in the NRL.

Brooks, having spent his entire first grade career at the Wests Tigers, kicked off his journey on Sydney’s northern beaches this week as Manly returned for pre-season training.

Sea Eagles fans hope a fresh start and the chance to play alongside Daly Cherry-Evans can help Brooks recapture his best form and inspire a finals return for Manly.

Brooks can’t wait to begin working on his partnership with Cherry-Evans - the Manly captain will be a late starter to pre-season due to international commitments - and more immediately, the gifted Schuster.

“I want to help get the best out of him (Schuster),” Brooks said.

“He has the talent - as I said I am really looking forward to playing alongside him. We want to build on that combo - obviously we are going to be playing a lot of footy together.

“So I am going to do my best to help bring his best out and I am sure he will do the best for me.”

Luke Brooks at Manly training. Picture: Jeremy Piper

New Sea Eagles signing Luke Brooks. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Schuster has struggled at times with his fitness but Brooks was impressed with what he saw when he lobbed at the club’s headquarters.

“He is looking good,” Brooks said.

“He is a quality player - sort of a different back rower. I am looking forward to playing alongside him.

“He is one of the most skilful players in the game.”

Brooks is no slouch himself but his journey has had its fair share of potholes, none greater than the absence of finals football.

His time at the Tigers was marked by bitter disappointment culminating in successive wooden spoons and the club’s decision to put a deadline on a new deal, prompting him to seek greener pastures.

Brooks refused to take a pot-shot at his former club, insisting he had no desire to see the Tigers finish with a trifecta of spoons.

“I hope not, I hope they do well, I wish them all the best,” he said.

“I’ve moved on. I have a lot of mates there [at the Tigers], a lot of good people I’ve known for so long, and I honestly hope they do well.

“This is all new to me, but it’s very exciting, and I’m looking forward to the season ahead. A bit of a change will be good for me ... a new environment will get the best out of me

“I was at the Tigers a long time. It gets me out of my comfort zone coming here. Coming here and a lot of pressure is off me.

“I can just focus on footy. Obviously I play my best footy when I am enjoying it. It is hard when you are not winning - that becomes tough.”

Luke Brooks had only positive things to say about his former club, Wests Tigers.

He hopes the finals will now be the norm rather than the exception.

“One hundred per cent,” he said.

“As a player all you want to do is win a grand final. You have to pay finals to do that. So I am here to be successful at this club.

“He (Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold) talked about taking a back seat because I copped it a lot over there (at the Tigers).

“I’m looking forward to laying low here. There’s so much strike. That’s one of the big reasons why I decided to come here was to play with those quality players. It’s very exciting for me to have a lot of speed and big bodies that will definitely help my game.

“I bring a good running game and I think that’ll suit their side. Hopefully, they bring the best out of me and I can bring the best out of them as well.”

Originally published as Luke Brooks unveiled by Manly Sea Eagles, reveals plan to unlock Josh Schuster’s potential