Wests Tigers players say halfback Luke Brooks’ signing would further stabilise the NRL club following the arrival of coach Ivan Cleary.
The Tigers have endured one of the most difficult opening months of a season in recent memory, having already sacked a coach and sitting last on the NRL ladder.
However their fortunes appear to have taken a turn on Wednesday, with reports that Brooks signed a two-year deal until the end of 2019.
It would make the No.7 the first of the club’s so-called ‘big four’ to extend their say, and centre Chris Lawrence said it would help ease a side already distracted by the coaching changes.
“Like any club when players are off-contract it at some point becomes a distraction,” centre Chris Lawrence said.
“As soon as they can finalise whatever they are going to do, it’s going to be best for the team so we can move forward and play some footy.”
Brooks, 22, has been offered close to $550,000 a year, according to Fairfax Media – some $50,000 less than he was believed to be asking.
It’s also understood the remainder of the club’s big names – James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and captain Aaron Woods, were offered deals approved by Cleary last Friday.
Tigers prop Tim Grant said any signing confirmation would “ease the white noise” surrounding the club.
“With Ivan coming to the club that would be stability as well,” Grant said.
“It removes an element of excuse for the playing group, and there’s no time for that anymore.”
Grant knows Cleary better than anyone in the current Tigers squad.
He played under him at the Panthers before he was released by the mentor, and even walked the Kokoda Trail alongside him in 2014.
And he said Brooks need look no further than Cleary’s son, Nathan, as an example of the influence the coach could have on a young half.
“I remember him as a kid, 13, 14-year-old when Ivan first got to Penrith,” Grant said.
“He was forever out on the training field kicking goals and that sort of stuff and Ivan was out there with him.
“I’m not sure if that was a father-son muck-around thing or he was giving him a few points, but to me Nathan Cleary is the ultimate professional and he plays beyond his years.
“Hopefully that rubs off on some of the young halves here at the Tigers.”
Brooks’ deal would also prevent the the half being shipped out to make way for star Melbourne playmaker Cooper Cronk, who has revealed he will move to Sydney in 2018.
The Tigers have been one of the Sydney clubs rated a chance to lure the Queensland halfback, and chief executive Justin Pascoe indicated the club’s interest on Tuesday.
