Luke Brooks set to leave Wests Tigers after rejecting extension

Divisive Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks has dropped a bombshell on his struggling club after extended contract negotiations failed to conclude.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Luke Brooks of the Wests Tigers runs the ball during the round 14 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium on June 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maligned Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has dropped a transfer bombshell on the NRL world after informing the club that he would not be taking up a reported 2-year extension worth in excess of $1 million.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Brooks will go onto the open market at the end of 2023, and is expected to attract offers both at home and abroad, with the Newcastle Knights reportedly keen on his services.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Brooks has played his entire career with the Wests Tigers, representing the club in the old Under-20s Holden Cup before signing a four-year deal and becoming the club’s regular halfback.

In 2014 he was named the Dally M Rookie of the Year, and he has gone on to play over 200 games for the merger club and score 43 tries.

Brooks has been the focus of a tired fanbase’s ire for many years, but has been in career-best form in recent weeks, prompting the Balmain junior to look elsewhere.

Brooks is expected to test the appetite for his services on the open market. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Tigers are set to see a complete squad overhaul at the end of the season, with Daine Laurie, Shawn Blore, Jake Simpkin and David Nofoaluma all off-contract by season’s end.

It comes after the Wests Tigers missed out on Parramatta star Mitchell Moses earlier in the year, with the Wests junior opting to stay at the Eels despite a monster contract offer from Wests.

Earlier in the year, club coach Tim Sheens insisted that Brooks would be returning in 2024, telling News Corp that he and assistant Benji Marshall want Brooks’ services long-term.

“Obviously everyone would prefer for it to be at less money,” Sheens said.

“But we can sit down and negotiate with him and extend his contract out.

“On the record, he is contracted. Point blank.

“He is contracted to us next year. And I expect him to turn up for pre-season training.

“But I am not indicating (he is leaving) and I have told you, I mean it, I like the kid and I want him in the side.

“Benji loves him and wants him in the side. But we can’t say any more than that.”

Brooks is in scintillating form of late. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fox League analyst James Hooper has said Brooks “owes the club” as a result of the club sticking by him through difficult periods of form.

“I think Luke Brooks is starting to feel the love from the coaching staff for the first time in a long time,” Hooper said on NRL 360.

“I think that is the reason for his form reversal. I have got no doubt that Benji getting in there and instilling belief in him and telling him that he has got his back.

“Sheens has done it countless times publicly and that has helped him to capture his running game and better form.

“Does he owe the club? I think to a degree yeah he does absolutely because he has been paid damn good money over the course of the last four or five years and hasn’t delivered on that.”

Originally published as Luke Brooks set to leave Wests Tigers after rejecting extension