BROOKS PREFERS BULLDOGS OVER KNIGHTS FOR CLUB SWITCH
Tigers halfback Luke Brooks’s reported preference is to join the Bulldogs over the Knights if the Concord club decide to part ways with their long-time No.7.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster revealed on
SEN radio that the Knights are keen to lure Brooks to replace Mitchell Pearce, but the Tigers star has other ideas.
“They (Newcastle) have got their hearts set on Luke Brooks (as Mitchell Pearce’s replacement),” Webster said on
SEN 1170 Mornings.
“The Tigers have said no to Luke Brooks going, and I think publicly he’s saying he doesn’t want to go, but his management is certainly saying things otherwise.
“It’s going around quite strongly, his preference would be the Bulldogs if he was to get out.”
The Tigers have denied wanting to let Brooks leave with two years remaining on his current deal worth around $850,000 a season.
The Tigers would likely have to chip in for Brooks to play elsewhere, while Pearce’s mooted departure would free up $600,000.
The Bulldogs would likely have to offload Kyle Flanagan and another player to come up with the money for Brooks.
However Webster believes Brooks should pursue the opportunity of playing under new Knights assistant and Immortal Andrew Johns at Newcastle after his defection from the Eels.
“I think the inclusion of Andrew Johns though on the coaching staff and as a halves coach on the Knights should be something that Luke Brooks finds appealing,” Webster said.
“If anyone has watched Luke Brooks over the last few years, he’s not to blame for the way the Tigers have played, there’s deeper problems at that club than the halfback.
“But if ever a playmaker looked like he needed a change, I think Luke Brooks is it.
“If he goes to Newcastle, which is a fairly strong side … if he’s under the tutelage of the halfback of the century and arguably the greatest player ever, he could do worse.”
