Wests Tigers turn to drill sergeants to break longest NRL finals drought

Being woken up in the middle of the night to push tanks around an army base. Yes, things are being done at bit differently at the Wests Tigers these days.

Being woken up in the middle of the night to push tanks around an army base.

Yes, things are being done at bit differently at the Wests Tigers these days.

True to his reputation as hard and c, new coach Michael Maguire has turned to drill sergeants as the Tigers look to break the longest finals drought in the league, having not gone beyond the regular season since 2011.

Luke Brooks told The Daily Telegraph that Maguire sent his troops to a brutal camp during the pre-season to help galvanise the players.

“We had an army camp for a few days out at Holsworthy. They woke us up in the middle of the night to go push some big tanks. We were all in groups and each group had to push one each,” he said.

“It’s the kind of thing you go through that brings you closer together, knowing you can get through a tough time like that.

“It was so tough that I’ve already put it in the back of my mind. All I know is I definitely won’t be joining the army anytime soon.”

Wests Tigers teammates Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall. Picture: Brett Costello

The Tigers gave up a great opportunity to break their finals drought last season, falling apart late after leading the competition early.

But it was a great individual season for Brooks who was named the Dally M Halfback of The Year, an award he says is a sign he’s maturing as a playmaker.

“Last year was a big step in the right direction in that aspect of my game. I think the more experience you get the more confidence you get and I’m building in that area,” he said.

Maguire is yet to finalise his spine with his hooker and five-eighth spots up for grabs, but the coach has been very clear in what he is expecting from Brooks.

“He wants me to take control me and he wants me to get the team around the park. That’s my job as a halfback and that’s something that will be key for me,” he said.

Wests Tigers train at Concord Oval ahead of their opening round game against the Roosters this weekend. Luke Brooks during a training drill. Picture: Toby Zerna

Brooks, 24, says he is ready to take ownership of the Tigers and that he has no plans to take a back seat to the usually more dominant playmakers in the side, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.

“Even though there are players who have played a lot more than me it doesn’t mean I can’t tell them what to do.” he said.

“I think we have a good balance there in the spine between myself Benji, Robbie, Moses (Mbye) and also Grubb (Josh Reynolds) there as well.”

Reynolds and Marshall are both vying for a chance to start at five-eighth and Brooks says he is happy to just sit back and watch the battle between the two unfold.

“I think they are both similar sort of players, they are both running halves. They are both great for the team,” Brooks said.