Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks says team forgot how to run hard

WESTS Tigers halfback Luke Brooks says his team has forgotten how to run hard after getting carried away with their free-flowing attack in the opening few rounds.

Michael Carayannis

@mcarayannis

less than 2 min read

April 16, 2016 - 1:39PM

Brooks said the team needs to go back to basics. Pic: Gregg Porteous

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WESTS Tigers halfback Luke Brooks says his team has forgotten how to run hard after getting carried away with their free-flowing attack in the opening few rounds.

Brooks backed up coach Jason Taylor’s criticism of the side, after Taylor said the team made “soft decisions” following their two point loss to Newcastle last Sunday.

Brooks said the side had shifted its focus heading into the match against Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

Brooks said the team needs to go back to basics. Pic: Gregg Porteous

“Our attack in the first few weeks was working for us,” Brooks said.

“Maybe we went away from running hard and thought it would come naturally but it obviously hasn’t worked. We’re going back to basics.

“We just want to run hard and play off the back of that ... If we can hold the ball and complete our sets, the free-flowing footy will come off that.”

Brooks has been critical of his own performances.

The No.7 wants to adopt a more cautious approach as the Tigers slumped to their fourth consecutive loss.

“I have been pushing the pass a bit, especially last week,” Brooks said. “I want to get back to not pushing the pass and taking the better options.

Luke Brooks shows off one of the The Daily Telegraph’s Nordic gold 25 cent Anzac coin, which will be used for the toss at Sunday’s game at Leichhardt.

“We are trying to score off every play. We’re pushing passes when we shouldn’t be. We’re more focused on getting back to basics and completing sets and running hard, kicking to the corners.

“It’s not about pushing the pass, it’s about controlling the ball and getting tackled.”

The Tigers will need to halt their losing streak minus skipper Aaron Woods. Brooks said the big men would be forced to share the load.

“Everyone in the forward pack has to fill the void for Woodsy,” Brooks said. “He plays a lot of minutes so our forward will have to play more than they used to.”