Luke Brooks

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}

Brooks was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

He played his junior football for the Holy Cross Rhinos and Leichhardt Wanderers before being signed by the Wests Tigers. In 2012 he played for the Australian Schoolboys and also played in the Balmain Tigers' S. G. Ball Cup Grand Final win over the Canberra Raiders. Brooks played in the final alongside former Tigers teammate Mitchell Moses.

Having spent the pre-season training with the first-grade team, Brooks was receiving attention in the press, with Andrew Johns saying he was one of the best young talents he had seen in some time.{{cite news|author=Paul Crawley|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|title= Never judge a Brooks by its cover|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/never-judge-a-brooks-by-its-cover/story-fni3gpz1-1226702992480|access-date=23 September 2013|date=24 August 2013}} Playing for the Tigers' NYC team, in April, he played for the New South Wales U20s State of Origin team.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/under-20s-origin-squads-named/tabid/10874/newsid/71757/default.aspx|title=Under 20's Origin squads named|publisher=National Rugby League|date=15 April 2013|access-date=20 February 2015}}

File:LUKE BROOKS (8682133823).jpg

On 29 July, he re-signed with Wests Tigers on a 4-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Major-player-news-for-Wests-Tigers/80470 |title=Major player news for Wests Tigers |publisher=Weststigers.com.au |access-date=23 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801045838/http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Major-player-news-for-Wests-Tigers/80470 |archive-date=1 August 2013 }}

File:lukebrooks.jpg

In Round 24 of the 2013, Brooks made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers against the St. George Illawarra Dragons.{{cite web|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/NRL-Late-Changes-v-Dragons/82766|title=NRL Late Changes v Dragons|publisher=Weststigers.com.au|date=24 August 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827093837/http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/NRL-Late-Changes-v-Dragons/82766|archive-date=27 August 2013}} Although the Wests Tigers had exceeded their second tier salary cap, Brooks was given a special dispensation to play as neither team could make the semi-finals.{{cite news|author=Adrian Proszenko|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|title=Brooks knows hard work has only just begun after dazzling on debut|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/brooks-knows-hard-work-has-only-just-begun-after-dazzling-on-debut-20130826-2smbs.html|access-date=23 September 2013|date=27 August 2013}} Brooks scored a try and was awarded Man of the Match in the Tigers 34–18 victory, in what was described as, "a stunning NRL debut." The salary cap prevented Brooks from playing in any further games that year. At the end of the year, Brooks was named at halfback in the 2013 NYC Team of the Year.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/holden-cup-under-20s-team-of-the-year-named/story-fndujljl-1226704931295|title=Holden Cup Under-20s team of the year named|publisher=News.com.au|date=27 August 2013|access-date=20 February 2015}}

Brooks became the Wests Tigers regular halfback for the 2014 season.

File:Luke Brooks.jpg

He played in 21 matches, scoring 6 tries and kicking 1 field goal. He was named 2014 Dally M Rookie of the Year.{{cite news|author=Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dally-m-2014-johnathan-thurston-jarryd-hayne-named-first-joint-winners-20140929-10nq4s.html|title=Dally M 2014: Johnathan Thurston, Jarryd Hayne named first joint winners|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=20 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/thurston,-hayne-share-dally-m-medal/tabid/10874/newsid/82257/default.aspx|title=Thurston, Hayne share Dally M Medal|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2014-09-29|access-date=20 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126050505/http://www.nrl.com/thurston,-hayne-share-dally-m-medal/tabid/10874/newsid/82257/default.aspx|archive-date=26 January 2015}}

In 2015, Brooks was selected on the interchange bench for the NRL All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match, the youngest player to ever take part in the game.{{cite web| website= weststigers.com.au| title=Spine for Success finally on show| first = Dan| last = Talintyre| url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/02/20/spine_for_success_fi.html|access-date=20 February 2015|date=20 February 2015}} In the first half, he came on and played right centre. In the second half, he played five-eighth when Kieran Foran left the field injured. The Indigenous All Stars won 20–6.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/indigenous-all-stars-leave-it-late/tabid/10874/newsid/83833/default.aspx|title=Indigenous All Stars leave it late|publisher=National Rugby League|date=2015-02-13|access-date=2015-11-26}}

Brooks finished the year with a personal best 10 tries from 23 appearances, the 5th highest amongst NRL halves.{{cite news| work=weststigers.com.au| title=2015 Season Review: Luke Brooks| author=Brock Corfe| url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/09/10/_2015_season_review_.html| access-date=15 October 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105023422/http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2015/09/10/_2015_season_review_.html| archive-date=5 January 2016| url-status=dead}} His 16 try assists were also the 5th most in the entire NRL for the year.{{cite web| publisher= National Rugby League| title=Try Assists| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906113113/https://www.nrl.com/stats/telstrapremiership/statsleaders/tabid/11564/stat/tryassists/default.aspx|access-date=15 October 2015|url=https://www.nrl.com/stats/telstrapremiership/statsleaders/tabid/11564/stat/tryassists/default.aspx|archive-date=6 September 2015}}

At the start of the season, Brooks had an option on his contract for 2017. Despite some offers from rival clubs and an attempt from the Wests Tigers to extend his contract, Brooks took up the option mid-season.{{cite news| work= North West Star| title=James Tedesco keen to form long-term Wests Tigers big three with Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks| author=Adam Pengilly| url=http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/4088752/james-tedesco-keen-to-form-long-term-wests-tigers-big-three-with-mitchell-moses-luke-brooks/?cs=12}} He said, "My manager was in talks with a few clubs but it didn't come to anything and I was just happy to take an extension."{{cite news| work= The Sydney Morning Herald| title=Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks goes back to basics to deliver on NRL promise| author=Chris Barrett| url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/wests-tigers-halfback-luke-brooks-goes-back-to-basics-to-deliver-on-nrl-promise-20160609-gpf66q.html}}

With Wests Tigers struggling for wins mid-season, Brooks received some criticism from commentators such as Peter Sterling for his lack of involvement in games. Andrew Johns said, "He has to give his team more. He has got a lot of raps. There is talk he isn't behind forwards going forward but he has to get his hands on the ball more … I don't get it."{{cite web| website= The Roar| title=Luke Brooks' future questioned by league legends| author=Steve Zemek| url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/05/16/luke-brooks-future-questioned-league-legends/}} Brooks' season was the hampered by a knee injury towards the end of the season, but the team recovered to be one win away from a semi-final berth. He later admitted, "I wasn't playing my best footy."{{cite news| work= The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney | title=Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks vows to overhaul playing style| author=Nick Walshaw | url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/wests-tigers-halfback-luke-brooks-vows-to-overhaul-playing-style/news-story/b7c27b1585479958de720bac2bfb966d}} Brooks scored 5 tries from his 21 games for the year.

In March and April, Brooks, alongside Tigers captain Aaron Woods, halves partner Mitchell Moses and superstar fullback James Tedesco, attracted media speculation about where the players, dubbed the "Big Four" would play after all of their contracts with the Tigers were set to expire at season's end.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/wests-tigers-could-lose-three-members-of-the-socalled-big-four-media-watch/news-story/7e508e18a7cd295fbbeb6bc835ea2a37 |title=Wests Tigers contracts: James Tedesco Roosters, Aaron Woods Bulldogs, Mitchell Moses Eels |publisher=Fox Sports |date=2017-04-05 |access-date=2017-06-05}}{{cite web|url=http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/04/03/18/12/tigers-can-keep-the-big-four-cleary |title=Tigers can keep the Big Four: Cleary – NRL |website=Wwos.nine.com.au |date=2017-04-03 |access-date=2017-06-05}} On 18 April, Brooks extended his stay at the club to the end of the 2019 season, the only player of the group to re-sign.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/luke-brooks-signs-twoyear-contract-extension-at-wests-tigers-keeping-him-at-club-until-2019-season/news-story/f708113002a3a7e8a0ab653c6edbdf0b |title=Luke Brooks signs two-year contract extension at Wests Tigers, keeping him at club until 2019 season |publisher=Fox Sports |date=2017-04-18 |access-date=2017-06-05}} At the time, Brooks was sidelined from the game for 4 weeks due a hamstring injury. He made his return in Round 8, having a great match, leading the team and setting up the winning try for Kevin Naiqama in the Tigers 18-12 thrilling win.{{cite web|last=Bailey |first=Scott |url=http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/04/23/18/25/wests-tigers-catch-a-break-against-dogs |title=Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks leads 'Big Four' charge to victory over Bulldogs – NRL |website=Wwos.nine.com.au |date=2017-04-23 |access-date=2017-06-05}}

With Wests Tigers winning 5 of their first 6 games, Brooks was described as the most improved player at the club. "The 23-year-old looks a completely different player this year – stronger, faster and fitter, exploding with confidence, running the ball more than ever before. His average run metres have shot from 75 to 106 so far and his eight drop outs forced in six games has already equalled his entire 2017 tally of eight in 17 games. His 20 tackle busts is just two short of his 22 busts in 2017 as well."{{cite web| publisher= National Rugby League | title=Cleary orchestrates storming comeback victory over Parramatta|author=Chris Kennedy | url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/jacob-liddle-chasing-wests-tigers-no9-jersey-after-difficult-start-to-nrl-career/news-story/d4d2c3fe929f47f34d684913ffa3a3ba}} Elsewhere it was said he, "looks more confident and assured, is defending better, making better decisions and running the ball more."{{cite web| publisher= National Rugby League| title=Stat Attack: The 17 most-improved players of 2018|author=Chris Kennedy | date=17 August 2018| url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/17/stat-attack-the-17-most-improved-nrl-players-of-2018/}}

Brooks was one of two players who appeared in all 24 games for the Tigers, scoring 5 tries and kicking 2 field goals. At the Dally M Awards, Brooks placed third overall, and was named the competition's Halfback of the Year.{{cite news| work=Camden Advertiser | title=Luke Brooks named in Dally M team of the year| url=https://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/story/5670222/luke-brooks-named-in-dally-m-team-of-the-year/}} On 3 December, Brooks re-signed with the Wests Tigers for 5 years. Keeping him at the club till the end of the 2023 season.

By round 24, Brooks held the statistic of the current player with the most NRL caps to not have played finals football,{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/the-tigers-are-hell-bent-on-ending-the-longest-finals-drought-in-the-nrl/news-story/0f7a7c257b52b6ac48bff66e2cfb8885/|title=Tigers are hell bent on ending the longest finals drought|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}} a record that would continue with Wests Tigers finishing ninth. Brooks finished the season making 24 appearances and scored 4 tries.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/09/08/ruled-out-farah-gets-last-minute-call-up-after-warm-up-injury/|title=Ruled out, Farah gets last-minute call-up after warm-up injury|publisher=National Rugby League|date=8 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/robbie-farah-paul-gallen-private-chat-before-sharks-tigers/eebca170-6880-4a0b-8d1c-ddcc9088872a/|title=Robbie Farah's cryptic chat with Paul Gallen ahead of Leichhardt Oval showdown|website=WWOS}}

In round 14 against Canterbury-Bankstown, Brooks kicked a field goal with two minutes remaining on to win the game for Wests 29–28 at Western Sydney Stadium.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-16/nrl-wests-tigers-beat-canterbury-newcastle-defeats-manly/12563746/|title=Wests Tigers edge Canterbury 29-28, Manly's NRL finals hopes take a hit with loss to Newcastle|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|date=16 August 2020}}

In round 18, Brooks was sent to the sin bin for punching Souths player Dane Gagai. He later returned to the field and scored a try in Wests 26–24 loss.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/luke-brooks-sent-to-bin-for-ridiculous-right-hook-at-dane-gagai/news-story/d30b48163ad5e2631a5291057644fafa/|title=Luke Brooks sent to bin for 'ridiculous' right hook at Dane Gagai|publisher=News.com.au|date=10 September 2020|last1=Otto|first1=Tyson}}

Brooks played 17 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished 11th and missed the finals.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/wests-tigers-season-review-peter-sterling-luke-brooks-moses-mbye-james-tamou-michael-maguire/0ee11d5b-9955-45a8-aa24-b30a25fd3d49/|title=Wests Tigers doomed to another finals miss in 2021, Peter Sterling predicts|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}

In round 2 of the 2021 NRL season, he played his 150th first grade game as the Wests Tigers lost 40–6 against the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-21/roosters-destroy-tigers-in-warning-to-rest-of-nrl/100019602|title=Brett Morris gets second hat-trick as Sydney Roosters score another thumping over Wests Tigers|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

Brooks played a total of 24 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2021 NRL season as the club finished 13th and missed the finals.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-fans-savage-the-clubs-newlook-logo/news-story/83f356c5f7c0d336d950d750f4e054b5/|title=Wests Tigers fans savage the club's new-look logo|publisher=News.com.au|date=6 October 2021|last1=Conrad|first1=Alex}}

With Wests Tigers losing the first five games of the season, Brooks was named at five-eighth in round 6 with Jackson Hastings playing halfback. Brooks said the change was to, "get me running the ball a bit more. I'll let Jacko play that first receiver and traditional halfback, and I'll play off the back of him. I think I play my best footy when I'm running the ball. I feel like I haven't really done that the last few weeks."{{cite web|author=Simon Brunsdon|work=Wide World of Sports|title=Luke Brooks 'couldn't care less' about public criticism, explains surprise Tigers switch|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2022-luke-brooks-wests-tigers-team-position-switch-jackson-hastings-vs-eels/d9c1a249-d11b-42cd-a292-81bf352aa44c}}

The first game after the switch was a 21–20 win over Parramatta, described as an early contender for upset of the season.{{cite web|author=Jasper Bruce|publisher=News.com.au|title=Wests Tigers stun Parramatta Eels in early contender for upset of the NRL season|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-stun-parramatta-eels-in-early-contender-for-upset-of-the-nrl-season/news-story/644c6f52c54319c08c3de92ffd910974}} Brooks contributed two try-assists and two line-break-assists,{{cite web|publisher=National Rugby League|title=ROUND 6 – MONDAY 18TH APRIL|url=https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2022/round-6/eels-v-wests-tigers/}} with the commentators saying, "it's been a masterstroke so far from the coach moving Luke Brooks. If you had to rate the Hastings 6 and Brooks 7 combination well that's an A+."{{cite web|publisher=Fox Sports|title='A masterstroke': Madge call to switch Hastings and Brooks hailed as 'genius' as halves fire|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-halves-luke-brooks-no-6-jackson-hastings-no-7-michael-maguire-mick-ennis-cooper-cronk/news-story/d715ced583befe6fd11da6e048bcc7db}} The next week, he kicked a field goal with one minute remaining against South Sydney to win the game for Wests Tigers 23–22.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/04/23/brooks-field-goal-sinks-rabbitohs-as-tigers-go-back-to-back/|title=Brooks field goal sinks Rabbitohs as Tigers go back to back|publisher=National Rugby League}}

Brooks played a total of 17 matches for the Wests Tigers in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished bottom of the table and claimed the Wooden Spoon for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-04/nrl-knights-sharks-tigers-raiders/101402294/|title=Canberra Raiders hand out 56-10 NRL drubbing to Wests Tigers as Cronulla beats Newcastle Knights 38-16|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

In round 9 of the 2023 NRL season, Brooks earned his first victory in over a year as the Wests Tigers upset Penrith 12–8. It was Wests first win of the season having lost the previous seven matches and also their first victory in 273 days.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-shock-the-panthers-to-end-273day-losing-streak/news-story/5931cada6d5c74f82f99aefb7a32e4fb/|title=Wests Tigers shock the Panthers to end 273-day losing streak|publisher=News.com.au}}

On 26 June, Brooks signed a four-year deal to join Manly starting in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/luke-brooks-set-to-sign-with-manly-sea-eagles-after-rejecting-wests-tigers/e8ff1d82-be92-4a83-91ed-7cd945ce8dad/|title=Manly confirms Luke Brooks signing on four-year deal as two other players join Sea Eagles|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}

Brooks played a total of 16 matches for the Wests Tigers in the 2023 NRL season and scored three tries as they finished with the wooden spoon for a second consecutive season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/live-nrl-axed-rooster-returns-for-mustwin-clash-as-tigers-fight-to-avoid-wooden-spoon/news-story/8ff0988b55b4dde31a12d48bb1ede88f/|title=Star's sizzling return amid Roosters' injury blow as damning stat exposes Tigers: Big Hits|publisher=Fox Sports|location=Australia|date=26 August 2023 }}

Brooks made his club debut for Manly in the round 1 opening match in Las Vegas, scoring a try during Manly's 36–24 victory over South Sydney.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=DCE and Brooks magic show steers Manly to Vegas victory |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/03/03/dce-and-brooks-turn-on-the-magic-as-manly-salute-in--vegas/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |publisher=National Rugby League}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/mar/03/nrl-in-las-vegas-sea-eagles-vs-rabbitohs-broncos-v-roosters-live-updates-start-times-ticket-sales-scores-local-time-allegiant-stadium/|title=Roosters & Sea Eagles victorious – as it happened|website=The Guardian}}

After 229 NRL games, Brooks would finally play his first finals game, in an elimination final against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Brooks and Manly would go on to win 24-22. The following week, he played in the clubs semi-final loss against the Sydney Roosters.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-season-review-manly-sea-eagles-luke-brooks-daly-cherry-evans-exclusive-analysis-20240922-p5kclo.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Luke Brooks 'revels' at Manly Sea Eagles but 30 seconds of horror luck ends season|website=www.nine.com.au}}

source;{{Cite web |date=2019-03-16 |title=Luke Brooks |url=https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/luke-brooks/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Manly Warringah Sea Eagles}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.weststigers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/wests-tigers/luke-brooks/ Wests Tigers profile]
• [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/wests-tigers/luke-brooks National Rugby League profile]
• [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/15/playerid/5668/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile]

{{Manly Warringah Sea Eagles squad}}

{{2013 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brooks, Luke}}

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players

Category:NRL All Stars players

Category:Prime Minister's XIII players

Category:Rugby league five-eighths

Category:Rugby league halfbacks

Category:Rugby league players from Sydney

Category:Wests Tigers NSW Cup players

Category:Wests Tigers players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen