After a decade in the glare of an uncomfortable spotlight at Wests Tigers, Luke Brooks is relishing the opportunity to blend into the background in his new surroundings at Manly.
So often the brunt of criticism for the Tigers’ lacklustre performances, the 28-year-old will have a weight lifted from his shoulders as he shares the playmaking duties with the evergreen Daly Cherry-Evans and the ever reliable Lachlan Croker in 2024.
“One of the big reasons why I came was that Seibs [coach Anthony Seibold] spoke to me about taking a step back,” Brooks said as he fronted the media for the first time in Manly colours on Friday.
“I copped it a lot over there [at the Tigers] but I’m looking forward to laying low here.
“A lot of the pressure is off me and I can just focus on footy. I know I play my best footy when I’m enjoying it.”
Brooks 200
Crowned the NRL’s rookie of the year in 2014, three years after Cherry-Evans had collected the prestigious award, Brooks came back to earth with a thud in his second season as the Tigers slumped to 15th with an 8-16 record.
Three times in the next four seasons the joint venture would finish in ninth spot, so close and yet so far away from a crack at a second premiership.
By the time Brooks departed at the end of 2023, the Tigers had suffered the ignominy of consecutive wooden spoons and he had the dubious distinction of being the only 200-game player never to have played finals.
Brooks slots it
Little wonder then that the prospect of a seachange was so appealing to the much-maligned playmaker, who signed a four-year deal with the Sea Eagles in June.
“I had been at the Tigers for a long time so it’s good to be out of my comfort zone here,” Brooks said.
“It’s great to play alongside so many quality players and the new environment will bring the best out of me.
“There’s so much strike here with Daly and Turbo and Huamole [Olakauatu] and Tolu Koula and that was one of the main reasons for coming.
“There’s a lot of speed and a lot of big bodies that will definitely help my game.
“Daly just keeps getting better with age and with him running the show I will be able to take my opportunities and run the ball, and that’s when I play my best footy.
“I’m only 28 and I feel my best footy is in front of me, this side will bring the best out of me.”
Another man Brooks is keen to join forces with is the enigmatic Josh Schuster, who is set to shift to an edge in 2024 after playing 14 games at five-eighth last season.
Schuster shows off skill
Schuster has made no secret of the fact he believes he can be one of the game’s best players, and Brooks wants to help the 22-year-old deliver on that promise.
“He has the talent, what he does with the ball is so skilful and that will create opportunities for me,” Brooks said.
“He’s a different kind of back-rower, he can ball-play really well, he’s very skilful.
“I want to help bring the best out in him and I’m sure he’ll do the same for me.”
Most games without playing a final (1967-2023)
- Luke Brooks (2014-23) – 205* games
- Cameron Blair (1986-97) – 184 games
- Shane Walker (1990-2002) – 178 games
- Tim Sheens (1970-82) – 173 games
- Michael Bolt (1982-90) – 171 games
- Jason Lowrie (1993-2001) – 160 games
- David Woods (1989-2001) – 160 games
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .