Wests Tigers make huge call on Luke Brooks future at the club

The ball is set to be in Luke Brooks’ court after the Wests Tigers revealed its plans for the halfback’s future as he comes off contract.

Should he stay or should he go. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks may continue his career at the club after coach Tim Sheens told reporters the club would be putting in an offer.

It leaves the halfback’s future at the club in his own hands as he’s expected to cop a huge pay cut, as he earns more than a $1 million this season.

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Brooks had reportedly been shopped around by the Tigers as the perennial underachievers look set to go another season without a finals berth.

The last time the Tigers made the finals was 2011, while Brooks didn’t debut until 2013.

And as he prepares to play his 200th NRL match on Saturday against the North Queensland Cowboys, Tigers coach Tim Sheens said he should expect an offer from the club.

“That (an offer) is going to happen over the next week and a half through our bye,” Sheens said.

“I’ve spoken to his agent and the club has spoken to his agent. We will be making him an offer and I hope it’s going to be enough.

“Not only the offer, but also Brooksy’s attitude of playing here, that’s important as well … and it wouldn’t be for just a year.

“I’ve always had my eye on keeping Brooksy, I don’t care what external people have said. I’m keen to keep him happy and keep him here.

“I signed him as a kid to a long-term deal at the club and he was a smart kid then and he’s done well. In 2018 he was Dally M Halfback of the Year, so he’s had his big moments and he’s playing good footy at the moment.”

Brooks will want to prove his worth. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

However the question remains will Brooks want to stay on.

Having spent his whole career at the Tigers, Brooks could decide to test his value on the open market as he was reportedly close to moving to Newcastle, while UK Super League side Leeds was also believed to be interested in his services.

At 28 years old, Sheens said he believes Brooks can still find the form that saw him win Rookie of the Year in 2014 and Dally M Halfback of the Year in 2018.

“I always say that about players as they get older, as long as they are injury-free and they’ve kept their legs … and he’s still got his speed,” Sheens said.

“He still has good feet, where if he gets a break at halfway he can run for 50 metres and outrun people to score.

“As you get older, you can use your brain, your hands and your feet a little bit more from the point of view of kicking and directing football.

“He’s developing his game, that comes with age and experience and funny enough without Adam (Doueihi) out here directing, Brooksy has taken it upon himself a lot more over the last number of weeks.”

Although the Tigers are last on the ladder, the side won two straight matches before its clash against the ladder-leading Rabbitohs in a match in which the side held their own until the final 10 minutes.