Halfback Luke Brooks says Wests Tigers need to sharpen attack to beat Newcastle Knights

WEST Tigers seek a return to the free-flowing attack which ignited their early season as Luke Brooks declares the Newcastle clash “a game we need to win”.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - APRIL 02: Luke Brooks of the Tigers passes during the round five NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on April 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Wests Tigers want to rediscover their free-flowing attacking skills which ignited their start to the season as halfback Luke Brooks declares Sunday’s match against Newcastle as “a game we need to win”.

The Tigers have lost their past three games following their scintillating start to the season where they won their opening two matches, scoring more than 30 points on their way to victories against New Zealand and Manly.

But a last start 34-26 loss to Cronulla has seen the Tigers spend the bulk of the week finetuning their skills in attacking opportunities. Their defeat by the Sharks came after they were held scoreless by the Eels.

“We’ve been working on our ball handling and our skills in good ball,” said Brooks, who finished with two try assists against the Sharks. “It’s our sets and our moves once we get into good ball.

“The focus has been on holding the ball and working on our discipline. It’s finishing off that last pass and making sure it goes to hand. If we don’t score, not panicking and we need to start looking for repeat sets.

“It’s more of a mindset of being patient and not getting frustrated. Just having that mindset about building pressure and not trying to score every play. When it does come off it does look good. It’s about finding that balance when we should throw the ball and when we hold off.”

The match against the winless Knights marks Brooks’ 50th since playing one game in 2013. While the 21-year-old said he was “surprised” to have reached the milestone, the off-contract half leaves little doubt about what is needed from his side at Hunter Stadium.

“We need to win all games but these are the sort of games that we need to win,” Brooks said. “In the past three weeks we haven’t won some close games and they are the sort of games that come back and hurt you come finals times.

“This is a game we need to win. It is a tough road trip. They will want to get a win at home.

“(Playing 50 games) has come pretty quickly. When you play two full years the games start to rack up.”

Originally published as Halfback Luke Brooks says Wests Tigers need to sharpen attack to beat Newcastle Knights