‘Recipe for disaster’: Tigers star Luke Brooks is not happy

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the Tigers, a new report has emerged maligned star Luke Brooks isn’t happy.

Luke Brooks can’t catch a break. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

The future of Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks remains clouded after the team’s disastrous Round 2 loss to Newcastle.

Brooks was one of the big stories of the off-season when he reportedly twice asked the Tigers to release him from his contract to join Newcastle.

Brooks even said in November the idea of working with Newcastle coaching consultant Andrew Johns interested him — as he reaffirmed his future with the Tigers.

The spotlight is again on Brooks following the team’s abysmal capitulation to the knights on Sunday, despite the Knights being without star fullback Kalyn Ponga and NSW State of Origin stars David Klemmer and Daniel Saifiti.

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Brooks reportedly remains unhappy at the club and there is continued speculation his desire to leave is a potential explanation for the club’s poor attitude during their 0-2 start to the season.

The Tigers finished the 2021 season sitting 13th on the ladder.

Brooks has struggled in the opening two rounds — but he is far from the only one.

Pressure is building on coach Michael Maguire.

Raiders legend Laurie Daley on Monday told Sky Sports Radio the Tigers’ issue with Brooks is a “recipe for disaster”.

Daley was responding to a statement from The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield that Brooks “is just not happy there”.

Daley said the Tigers need to consider letting Brooks leave.

It’s getting ugly early in Tigerland. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

That would leave the Tigers relying on Jackson Hastings and Adam Doueihi to lead the team in the halves — when Doueihi eventually returns from a serious knee injury.

“That worries me if he’s not happy there,” Daley said of Brooks.

“If that’s the case, you’ve got to make some changes. If he’s not happy, and he’s not out there. And the playing group, if they know that, and if you’re not getting performances that are up to scratch by Luke Brooks, you’re better off letting him go.

“You’re better off saying, ‘Listen, this is not working, if you’re not happy and we’re going to get performances like this.’ Because they need to do something differently.”

Daley said it was not fair for fans to point the blame at Maguire.

Meanwhile, Knights great Matthew Johns said there is “no excuse” for the Tigers’ pour attitude during the 26-4 loss.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Johns was scathing of the club — and it’s decision to name five co-captains for 2022.

He said the reason the club named five captains is because they have no true leader.

The Tigers play the Warriors in Round 3 on Friday night with both clubs under enormous pressure to get their first wins of the season.

Originally published as ‘Recipe for disaster’: Tigers star Luke Brooks is not happy