New Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire ready to take to halfback Luke Brooks to a new level

After bleeding so much talent in recent seasons Wests Tigers know how important Luke Brooks is to their club. And new coach Michael Maguire plans to build his team around his star halfback.

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NEW Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has his pitch ready for halfback Luke Brooks.

The pair will come together face-to-face this week to discuss next season and then a contract extension for the Dally M halfback of the year.

Maguire knows he can extract the best from Brooks, a player many believe is on the cusp of becoming something special.

Brooks, 23, is off contract after next season but is already a free agent.

Brooks’ development is vital to the Tigers. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

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“I have spoken to ‘Brooksy’ a few times. He will be in over the next couple of days. We have already had some discussions and I’m looking forward to sitting down and educating and building his game,” Maguire said.

“I really enjoy working with halves. It’s something I have always had a passion for — working with the spine. Working with ‘Brooksy’, he’s a great talent and is a big part of the club.

“I want to build a relationship with him first and then talk to him about his game. I have been very fortunate over my time to have worked with a fair few halves.

Maguire is excited by the opportunities for his new team. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

“I want to impart as much knowledge as I can to him to make him a better player. For any player, if you’re growing and learning, you can become a better player and I am sure he wants to do that here at this club.

“He has spent a lot of time at this club, the way he has developed his game, he’s right in the prime now of being able to take it forward in a big way. He has good people around him — Benji (Marshall), Josh Reynolds. It’s the makings of a very strong spine.”

Former coach Ivan Cleary claimed Brooks ran and “owned” the team. Maguire enjoys the same philosophy.

“Oh yeah, for sure,” Maguire said. “He is a little general but it’s also the spine that works with him.

“It will take a bit of time for myself to get an understanding of the players. I had my first training run this morning, which was really enjoyable. It was great to be back out on the park again.

“I will obviously use the experiences from where I’ve come from but also bring new ones as we keep moving forward.

“I’ve got a real passion about building young men into better people. To get someone on a better path, that’s what it’s all about.”

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