The Wests Tigers have kicked off proceedings to keep Luke Brooks playing at Concord ahead of Benji Marshall’s new reign at Concord and extend one of the longest rugby league relationships, and one that has already kept the halfback in orange and black for 10 years and 189 NRL games.
Brooks was originally tipped to leave to join the Knights as soon as possible.
The Hunter club has been chasing his signature for some time now and if not for two release requests being denied, the 27-year-old Sydney star may already be leading Newcastle’s pack around the park. But, according to sources close to the club, Brooks is very interested in working with Tigers king-to-be Marshall in his new project to revitalise Concord.
The Daily Telegraph has reported the Tigers have already broached the subject with Brooks’ management, with the Wests playmaker allegedly already considering the offer.
There are a few stipulations though: club options at the end of the deal and a serious chop to his $1.1 million pay.
There’s nothing set in stone though, Wests brokers have been quick to say.
“He’s not off contract until the end of next year. We are in discussions with numerous players coming off contract after next year and we are only in the early stages,” club officials told News Corp.
Another cog that may see Brooks eventually take up whatever pay-cut offer lands in front of him is that the Knights have scooped up Broncos five-eighth Tyson Gamble ahead of the 2023 NRL season. Though Brooks mainly plays halfback, that signing leaves Newcastle with a multitude of halves picks for their next campaign.
Word from the northern club still suggests Brooks in on their radar, however.
Brooks has told NRL media, quite openly, that as he approaches his 30s he will be leaning towards a bigger pay packet rather than anything else in his next deal. He wants to shore up his future, the 27-year-old has stated, so a chopped-down deal from the Tigers may not cut it.
If options thin up for the 189-game star–who actually has yet to play NRL finals in his ten-year career–then Wests Tigers may be the only place he can play on from 2024 and beyond though.
