‘Hiding to nothing’: Luke Brooks keeps delivering painful Tigers sledge

Luke Brooks has started his Manly career with a bang - and one remark he keeps saying must be salt in the wounds for the Tigers.

Benji Marshall says farewell to Luke Brooks of the Tigers after the round 25 NRL match between Wests Tigers and Dolphins at CommBank Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)

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It only took 80 minutes in a different jersey and already Luke Brooks looks friskier than an unfed doberman.

The 28-year-old was prominent in his first outing in Sea Eagles colours last Sunday, delivering an eye-catching performance at Allegiant Stadium in Manly’s 36-24 victory over the sloppy Bunnies.

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Not only did he unfurl a confident running display, his combination with Daly Cherry-Evans encouraged Manly fans as much as it quelled Anthony Seibold’s indigestion over Josh Schuster playing five-eighth.

But most tellingly, Brooks’ pleasing debut proved that even when they’re not on the paddock - or even the same continent - the Wests Tigers remain on a hiding to nothing.

While one sandwich does not make a smoko, Brooks rediscovering his mojo the moment he absolved himself of the Tigers was as odds-on as the jingo references in Vegas to no pads and no helmets.

And the reason?

Because after 10 years at the joint venture, Brooks is finally playing with a team of first-graders.

Luke Brooks was on fire in Vegas. Picture: NRL Photos

And don’t take it from me; that’s according to the man himself, on more than one occasion.

Speaking before his first training session at Manly, Brooks extolled his “new change and new environment” and how he believed “it’ll get the best out of me.”

“I’m just looking forward to coming here and playing alongside some quality players,” the new Sea Eagle declared.

Yep, “quality players.”

It was a jarring backhander for his former teammates, one he followed prior to round one when he asked them to turn the other cheek by echoing how he’s “really enjoying his time at Manly” alongside “some great quality players.”

Sure, some will digest these as throwaway lines, whereas others will violently barf them up as the filthiest affront to the Wests Tigers since Api Koroisau pffffft-ed the club’s premiership chances prior to arriving.

But whether you agree the Tigers are stacked with lemons - or if it’s more offensive to consider the Sea Eagles roster an upgrade - ultimately depends on which side of the Brooks debate you’re positioned.

Luke Brooks was going absolutely nowhere at the Tigers. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

On one hand, to imply the Tigers boasted nothing but deadwood across Brooks’ tenure is pretty rough.

After all, David Klemmer played Origin, Adam Doueihi waltzes in to any all-time Lebanon XIII, and David Nofoaluma once played half a decent season, even though it was for Melbourne.

On the other hand, a team is only as functional as the halfback feeding it instructions.

Yes, the joint venture inflicted boundless sorrow on Brooks by changing coaches every five minutes while forcing him to shoulder questions about boardroom leaks and Benny Elias, all before sending him away with nothing more than a decade of anguish and a Weber.

But admittedly, the club also ‘burdened’ him with a million dollars per annum, and the only return was one Dally M halfback of the year award lost among a heap of quiet Septembers and overcooked grubbers.

Whoever’s at fault, we can all agree on one thing:

Their relationship had become as harmonious as milk and Deep Heat, and we should all thank God they finally split.

Luke Brooks was farewelled with the parting gift of a BBQ by the Tigers. Pic: NRL Photos

No doubt, when Brooks found himself celebrating with Ludacris after retracing the steps of Patrick Mahomes, he too must’ve wondered why he’d hung around so long to get regularly scythed in front of 8000 fans at Campbelltown.

And let’s spare a thought for Tigers supporters.

Quality of roster notwithstanding, this embattled lot had to endure a decade waiting for Brooks to deliver another breakout performance after his memorable debut in 2013, and when he did, it was for someone else.

And most painfully?

It was that Brooks’ renaissance was draped in simplicity.

In a steady performance free of burden and online vitriol, he played on Sunday in a manner as uncomplicated and carefree as Jason Saab’s attempt to explain a Rabbitoh- and looked unrecognisable in the process.

Compare this to his time at the Tigers when he had more halves partners than hot dinners while working beneath a cartoonish front office, and it’s no wonder the guy looks 15kg lighter.

- Dane Eldridge is a warped cynic yearning for the glory days of rugby league, a time when the sponges were magic and the Mondays were mad. He’s never strapped on a boot in his life, and as such, should be taken with a grain of salt.

Originally published as ‘Hiding to nothing’: Luke Brooks keeps delivering painful Tigers sledge