‘He needs to get out of there’: Tigers face $1.1m headache with Brooks’ future in limbo

Luke Brooks is facing the axe but could still cost the Tigers almost $1.1 million next season, unless they can get him out of Concord.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 28: Luke Brooks of the Wests Tigers looks dejected during the round 12 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium, on May 28, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Luke Brooks’ future at the Wests Tigers beyond this season hinges on who the embattled club appoints as their next coach.

The Tigers are facing a $1.1 million headache next season if they can’t move on Brooks for the final year of his deal.

The club are set to finally address the elephant in their change room and may drop their highest-paid player for the first time in his NRL career.

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According to reports, the axe will fall on Brooks for the first time in his 185 NRL appearances, following embarrassing losses against the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.

It could mark the beginning of the end for the 27-year-old, whose management twice requested a release over the summer. However, Tigers football boss Tim Sheens denied Brooks had been dropped.

Brooks is contracted until the end of 2023 and is set cost the club almost $1.1 million next season, unless they can offload him.

The Titans, Warriors, Bulldogs and Knights - the other clubs rounding out the bottom five spots on the ladder - all need a quality half, while Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is still chasing a marquee signing.

“I think a change would be really good for him to be honest,” NRL great Brent Tate told the Fox League Podcast.

Luke Brooks of the Wests Tigers earlier this month. Getty Images

“He needs to get out of there, go somewhere different, get in a different environment, get away from the club and start again.

“Luke Brooks could really be of value to a different club and I think it would be of value to him to go somewhere.

“Wherever he goes, the coach is going to be really important. The last couple of years from all reports hasn’t got on great with Madge Maguire so I think he’s a player that’s going to need a bit of love and be re-wired into how to play halfback.

“Wherever he goes he’s got to have a really good relationship with his coach.”

Brooks has infamously never played finals football and is the most experienced player in the NRL not to feature in the postseason.

Brooks was named the 2018 Dally M halfback of the year but has borne the brunt of criticism at the Tigers since debuting in 2013.

He’s played under six coaches in his 10-year tenure at Concord in Mick Potter, Jason Taylor, Andrew Webster, Ivan Cleary, Michael Maguire and now Kimmorley.

The club sacked Maguire this month and are now chasing highly-touted Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo as they begin yet another rebuild.

Rugby league icon Mark Carroll praised interim Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley for “ruffling some feathers” but believes Brooks’ teammates have added to his form slump.

“When I see someone like Brooks play, I blame their forwards, seriously there are some forwards there that wouldn’t scare Santa,” Croll said on the Fox League Podcast.

Luke Brooks of the Wests Tigers. Getty Images

“That (James) Tamou, he looks all fierce with the big beard but mate try and whack someone for me, that’s what I want to see.

“Brooks is going down to NSW Cup and will be the most expensive player down there.

“That’s what Knotty (Kimmorley) sees fit, they need change because they’re losing, you’ve got to change things up.”

However, NRL 360 host Braith Anasta believes the Tigers - who he played for in the final two seasons of his career - must accept some blame in Brooks’ demise.

“I don’t think Tigers have helped with their development at the club for a long period of time, that’s shown by their results,” Anasta said.

“It’s not just Brooks, it’s every player that has been at the club for a long time now.

“I played in his first game and he was a superstar, he’s got the potential and I don’t think it’s too late for him to succeed.”

Veteran rugby league reporter James Hooper agreed and expects to see Adam Doueihi when the Tigers next play on Sunday week.

“Off the back of the summer, there was all the talk that he wanted out, he has denied that but the reality is he did ask for the release to go to Newcastle,” Hooper said.

“Is he unsettled, is he unhappy, well he doesn’t look to be enjoying his footy at the moment.”

“The mail I’ve got is the Tigers have been disappointed with his performances in the last couple of weeks.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they do make a hard decision now and go with Doueihi for Round 16.”

Originally published as ‘He needs to get out of there’: Tigers face $1.1m headache with Brooks’ future in limbo