Luke Brooks’ Tigers future has come firmly under the microscope after suffering a season-ending calf injury, with many believing he has played his last game for the merger club.
The 27-year-old’s contract will reportedly increase to more than $1 million for the 2023 season, and earlier this year he admitted he will explore his options and possibly leave Tigertown.
“I think that many times I have not put myself first with these decisions. When the time comes, I’m going to sit back and maybe be a little selfish and do what’s best for me,” Brooks said.
Stream every game in every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and ad-free during the game on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE NRL NEWS
BREAKING: Ex-gay league star slams Manly players, drops truth bomb
SUBSTITUTES: Bozo’s grandson, 28-year-old debutant: The ‘feel good’ stories at Manly
JIMMY BRINGS: Latrell turned in a $6 million act and the Tigers star who wanted Storm
Rugby league legend Cameron Smith believes Brooks has pulled on a Tigers jersey for the last time.
“I don’t think, if you listen to Luke Brooks and the way he’s been talking over the last month, he might be looking to leave the Wests Tigers,” Smith told WWOS.
“I don’t know which club he’ll end up at, but just the way he’s been talking and saying he’ll make the right decision for himself.
“I think that may have been the last time we’ve seen Luke play for the Wests Tigers.”
Blues manager Brad Fittler agreed with Smith, making it clear it would be better for both sides if Brooks was allowed to leave.
“I don’t think, if you listen to Luke Brooks and the way he’s been talking over the last month, he might be looking to leave the Wests Tigers,” Fittler said.
Jarome Luai out for up to six weeks | 00:29
“I don’t know which club he’ll end up at, but just the way he’s been talking and saying he’ll make the right decision for himself.
“I think that may have been the last time we’ve seen Luke play for the Wests Tigers.”
Now Brooks has to make the biggest decision of his 10-year, 189-game career: Which team will he play for next?
Several destinations have been floated, with a lingering buzz when Luke Brooks’ name is mentioned.
Ahead of the 2022 season, the Knights were confident they would land Brooks’ signature to replace outgoing veteran Mitchell Pearce.
But that move never happened, and Brooks denied ever asking to be released from his contract to make the trade to Hunter.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Cavaliers remain interested in signing the star half-back, but his salary is the main sticking point.
Tim Sheens’ Tigers will need to bring a big chunk of their salary to get a deal over the line, but with Adam O’Brien’s men struggling, they could be desperate.
Fletch takes the CAXTON HOTEL | 07:57
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes the Tigers would have to pay around half his annual salary to get a deal over the line.
“He has a huge salary, it’s close to a million dollars,” Riccio told SEN.
“They would have to make up for that, they would have to contribute to any deal that took place at the Newcastle Knights.
“It would have to be significant, potentially half of that, why they would want him to sit on the cap without that player at the club without a direct replacement.”
Riccio also explained that the merger club is concerned about potential embarrassment if Brooks makes the switch to the Hunter and returns to the form that saw him win Dally M Halfback of the Year in 2018.
“Also, don’t discount the embarrassment if Luke Brooks joins the Newcastle Knights,” Riccio said.
“Think about that for a second, if he goes to the Knights and finds the form that saw him named Dally M midback just a few years ago.
“Imagine how that looks at the Wests Tigers.”
Newcastle signed Adam Clune to partner Jake Clifford in a new spine to start the 2022 season but the pair failed to deliver.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘CORRUPTING IT’ – Storm prompts fears of ‘cannibalisation’ as big issue looms
‘SAD’: Kenty and Elias clash over Manly pride shirt controversy
“YOUR CHILD”: Ex-NRL star hurls scathing criticism at Manly players
‘ASTOUNDED’: NRLW fuming over Manly pride shirt saga
JWH in hot water for rough elbow | 00:32
Anthony Milford’s recruitment has paid off but the former million dollar man will now make the switch to the Dolphins for their inaugural NRL season.
Meanwhile, Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins could be another destination for Brooks.
The NRL super coach has so far struggled to attract elite talent to the 17th franchise, having signed a number of solid players, failing to land the big fish he’s been after.
Bennett failed in his attempts to sign marquee players such as Harry Grant, Kalyn Ponga and Jahrome Hughes and could now turn his attention to the Tigers’ downfall guy.
According to Fox League’s James Hooper, Bennett has been in discussions about signing Brooks, with a deal dependent on the future of Anthony Milford.
Now that Milford has signed with the Dolphins, a move for Brooks seems unlikely, but with his only options in the halves being Isaiya Katoa and Sean O’Sullivan, Bennett could still pull the trigger.
Get all the latest NRL news, news and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Cleary & co. back O’Sullivan to intervene | 01:09
While a move away from the Tigers seems like the best option to get the best out of Brooks, not everyone believes he will change for the 2023 season.
David Riccio believes one big factor could keep Brooks in Concord: Benji Marshall.
The Tigers have signed Tim Sheens as head coach until 2023, flanked by assistants Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.
Riccio explained that Brooks might be given one last roll of the dice.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Brooks at the Tigers,” Riccio said.
“I say it for the Benji Marshall factor.
“Speaking to Benji and his relationship with Brooks, I just understand that Brooks might have one more roll of the dice to try and succeed at the Wests Tigers under Tim Sheens and Marshall.”