NRL 2021: Halfback Luke Brooks determined to ‘hang around’ for the good times at Wests Tigers

He’s been around the club since 2013 and with the Tigers finally ‘moving in the right direction’, Luke Brooks says no amount of criticism will stop him seeing out his contract.

Tigers Luke Brooks kicks the winning field goal during the Wests Tigers v Bulldogs NRL match at Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

Just about everyone in rugby league has an opinion on what’s best for Luke Brooks, but the Wests Tigers halfback has quashed any suggestions he’s about to leave the club, declaring a move is “out of the question”.

The 26-year-old burst onto the scene with an eye-catching debut against the Dragons in 2013, and while he’s delivered some brilliant performances in the No.7 jersey, the reality is he hasn’t been able to lead the Tigers into the finals.

Brooks has another two seasons to run on his current deal, but some of the loudest voices in the game have suggested the time is right for him to make a fresh start elsewhere.

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Luke Brooks is determined to lead the Tigers back to the finals.

However, the local junior isn’t going anywhere, and wants to be there when things finally turn around for the club he loves so dearly.

“I’m here for another few years, so it’s out of the question,” he replied when asked about a possible move to a rival team.

“I want to be here and I want to be successful at the Tigers. I’ve stuck around and I can see the club is moving in the right direction, and I want to be a part of that.”

Brooks knows the pile-on can be intense, especially after a Tigers loss, which is why he does all he can to switch off and block out the media scrutiny that follows him everywhere he goes.

“Sometimes I want to go out there and prove them wrong, but in saying that, I just have to do my job,” he said.

Luke Brooks wants to stay at the Tigers. Digital image by Brett Costello � NRL Photos

“I can’t look into it too much because I can’t worry too much about what other people are saying about me. They’re allowed to have their opinions.

“If you try to do too much it could go wrong. You can use it as motivation, but when you get into the game, you’ve got to do your job.

“I’ve just got to try not to read too much of the media, but sometimes it’s hard not to see it nowadays. I’m all right, though.

“I try not to read or watch any shows – that’s all you can do. Sometimes you’re going to see it, but that’s all I try to do. I just block it out and worry about the people at the club and the team and what they say about me and what they want me to do.”

Those people he refers to are led by his coach, Michael Maguire, who orchestrated a monumental attitude adjustment in his side to see them go within a whisker of pulling off the upset of the season just days after they were booed by their own fans.

Brooks doesn’t need any public assurances from Maguire, but he takes great confidence knowing his coach has his back and isn’t bowing to pressure to change things up in the halves.

“He has stuck up for me so he’s helped me,” he said.

“It’s outside people’s opinions, and they’re allowed to have their opinions, but as long as Madge and the club are happy with me, that’s all I can do.

“I haven’t (had to seek guarantees) because I haven’t asked them, but the club and my manager have spoken to me a number of times. That’s been good for me and my confidence that they’re still backing me.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Halfback Luke Brooks determined to ‘hang around’ for the good times at Wests Tigers