Brooks ‘very likely’ to join rival club who are ‘shopping around’ their veteran halfback

A surprise contender has emerged as the ‘very likely’ destination for Luke Brooks - as the club makes a ruthless call on its current halfback.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Luke Brooks of the Tigers looks to pass during the round 15 NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium on June 08, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks is set to sign with Todd Payten’s North Queensland Cowboys for 2024 and beyond.

That’s according to veteran journalist Phil Rothfield who said Brooks is “very likely” to rejoin his under-20s coach up in Townsville.

Brooks rejected an extension offer from the Tigers for around $550,000 per season and will now head to the open market.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“I think it was a statement recruitment decision that they’re never going to overpay a footballer again and they won’t budge off $550,000 for Brooks and I applaud them for that,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.

“The mail I have is that Luke Brooks is very likely to finish up at the North Queensland Cowboys, he played Holden Cup in a premiership winning side with Todd Payten a while back, they’re very, very tight.

“There’s a lot of mail now that Chad Townsend is being shopped around to English Super League clubs and a couple of NRL clubs in Sydney as well.”

Luke Brooks of the Tigers. Getty

Brooks, 28, is the most experienced player in the NRL not to have featured in finals and Gorden Tallis said he wouldn’t begrudge him for leaving the Tigers.

“I’m mixed on it, they’ve been pretty loyal to him but he has been the most spoken about No. 7 in our game and every time the Tigers have lost it’s been about Brooks but he’s been well paid to play there, so I think $550,000 is about right with the form he’s in now,” Tallis said.

“The romance is around him repaying the Tigers, but I totally understand if he wants to get out and have a whole new start.”

Meanwhile, the SMH reports several NRL clubs have already distanced themselves from Luke Brooks and his services.

Figures at Manly, Newcastle and the Raiders all reportedly dismissed any suggestion their clubs could be pursuing the off-contract playmaker.

Originally published as Brooks ‘very likely’ to join rival club who are ‘shopping around’ their veteran halfback