‘Isn’t a story’: Wests Tigers fed-up with Luke Brooks split speculation

The Tigers are the laughing stock of the NRL and they’re sick of dealing with constant rumours over maligned halfback Luke Brooks.

Is Luke Brooks on his way to Newcastle? Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

The circus surrounding Luke Brooks’ immediate future is showing no signs of slowing down, as the Wests Tigers maintained their star wasn’t going anywhere despite rumblings suggesting otherwise.

Brooks has been linked with a move to the Newcastle Knights, as Mitchell Pearce chases a move to Catalans Dragons in the UK Super League after he formally requested to be released from the final year of his contract with his NRL club.

Catch all the ICC T20 World Cup action live & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

If Pearce sets out to enjoy a $2 million payday in the south of France to finish his career, Knights coach Adam O’Brien will want a ready-made replacement — and Brooks appears to be that man.

There’s one big issue preventing the 26-year-old from becoming a Novocastrian though — he still has two years to run on his deal with the Tigers and club officials are adamant he’s not leaving anytime soon.

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald quotes a senior club official at Concord claiming the whole saga is nothing more than paper talk.

“I’m not sure how many times we have to come out and say Luke is staying,” the official told the publication.

“If we come out and say anything publicly, it just adds to the story, and there isn’t a story.”

According to a Tigers official, Luke Brooks isn’t going anywhere. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The comments come after Wide World of Sports on Thursday reported Brooks’ switch to the Knights was all but wrapped up.

The report also noted Brooks’ desire to play alongside Kalyn Ponga, one of the most exciting talents in rugby league, as a major factor spurring his mooted transfer to the Knights.

Another element that adds fuel to the fire on speculation is the fact Brooks and O’Brien share the same manager.

Brooks made his debut with the Tigers in 2013 and has made over 160 appearances for the club, but is yet to enjoy a finals berth as the club has not finished in the top eight since 2011.

However, Wests lured Tim Sheens — the man who delivered them the join venture club’s first and only premiership in 2005 — as their new director of football in the hopes he can weave some of his magic on an organisation starving for success.

Should Brooks ultimately pack his bags for the Knights, the Tigers already have two potential replacements. Recent signings Jackson Hastings and Tyrone Peachey can play at either halfback or five-eighth.

However, Tigers coach Michael Maguire is hoping the two will complement Brooks rather than replace him in the starting line-up.

Originally published as ‘Isn’t a story’: Wests Tigers fed-up with Luke Brooks split speculation