Saga of Tigers star Luke Brooks’ future takes a 180 degree turn

Wests Tigers playmaker Luke Brooks has reportedly spoken to his team after reports claimed he is set to join an NRL rival in 2022.

Luke Brooks and Curtis Scott.

Despite the links between Luke Brooks and the Knights growing stronger and stronger, the star halfback has reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to the Wests Tigers.

By all reports over the last couple of weeks, Luke Brooks was very close to signing with the Knights. However, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, the star halfback has given his club zero indication that he wants out.

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Brooks has been heavily linked to a move to the Hunter as a replacement for veteran No.7, Mitchell Pearce, who has requested a release from the final year of his contract to take up a Super League offer.

There’s a lot of dominoes to fall in this situation and over the weekend the first one did with the Tigers’ director of football, Tim Sheens finally touching down in Australia.

The first task on Sheens’ agenda will be to sort the Brooks situation — and there’s a player that’s anxiously awaiting the outcome.

Newcastle won’t grant Pearce his release until they can find a suitable replacement. Brooks is that replacement and going off the rumours that emerged at the end of the season suggesting the 26-year-old isn’t enjoying his time with coach Michael Maguire, his move seemed like a sure thing.

Luke Brooks and Curtis Scott.

However, the Herald is reporting Brooks met with Tigers powerbrokers late last week and reiterated his desire to remain at Concord.

And the feeling is mutual.

With Adam Doueihi expected to miss the first half of next season recovering from an ACL injury, the Tigers need Brooks to partner new recruit Jackson Hastings in the halves.

Brooks’ wish to stay put comes despite Andrew Johns’ urge to sign with the Knights.

The Tigers’ reigning player of the year is contracted until the end of 2023 and the club will reportedly fight hard to keep him.

TROUBLED STAR’S OPPORTUNITY

We haven’t seen the last of Curtis Scott with a reported four clubs interested in the ex-Raider’s services.

Scott was stood down and then eventually sacked by the Raiders following a nightclub incident which saw police charge him with assault and the NRL fine him $15,000.

His alcohol-related incident on Australia Day last year was also factored into the decision.

The 24-year-old opened up in an interview 24 hours before his sacking revealing he had signed himself up to Alcoholics Anonymous and underwent treatment with a psychiatrist.

And now he could take a big step to getting his career back on track with News Corp reporting the Eels, Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Wests Tigers are interested in Scott.

The Tigers had been linked to Scott earlier this year, before his contract was terminated at the Raiders, however that deal never eventuated. The club has cash to spend for 2022 but with new recruit Oliver Gildart joining and the highly-rated Reece Hoffman being upgraded to the top 30, Scott would not be guaranteed a spot in the 17.

The Eels could need another outside back after not re-signing Blake Ferguson, while the Rabbitohs lost a gun centre in Dane Gagai.

However, a move to North Queensland could be exactly what Scott needs. He once told Foxsports.com.au that he has purposely tried to stay away from the Sydney bubble throughout his career.

Curtis Scott’s NRL career is far from over. NRL PHOTOS

Originally published as Saga of Tigers star Luke Brooks’ future takes a 180 degree turn