Balmain legend Steve Roach’s advice for Tigers halfback Luke Brooks

Balmain legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach believes Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks should “move on” from the club at the end of the season and get a fresh start elsewhere.

The Tigers have struggled again this season and face an uphill battle to make the top eight and get their first taste of finals action since 2011.

Watch new FOX SPORTS Original Production ‘Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town’ four-part docu-series on Kayo >

While Brooks has been solid this season, he has struggled to reach his potential during his time with the Tigers and is still yet to play in a finals game after nine seasons at the club.

“My personal opinion (is) I think he’s stale,” Roach told news.com.au.

“If I was him, I’d probably be looking to move on.

“I reckon there would be a lot of clubs that would be interested. He’s shown good signs, he’s a good player.

“I think he’s hard done by. I think he’s a pretty good player Luke Brooks.

“You put him in one of those top-flight sides, a lot of people would be talking about him. He won the halfback of the year only a few years ago.

“I just feel sorry for him because he’s the poor bugger that cops all the flak every time the Tigers get beat. He’s the one that seems to cop the raw end of the stick.”

Steve Roach believes Tigers halfback Luke Brooks should move on from the club. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Brooks has two years left on his contract, which is said to be worth around $900,000 a year.

But his future is uncertain after the Tigers signed former Manly and Roosters playmaker Jackson Hastings on a two-year deal starting next season.

Roach believes the Tigers are in desperate need of a star playmaker to give their attack some spark.

“Have a look at the spines that are running in the top four,” he said.

“We lack a genuine game-breaker. You have a look at the sides that are up the top of the competition, they’ve got one or two in their side.”

Roach, who was part of the legendary Balmain side of the 1980s, said the Tigers’ inability to attract a big-name recruit is his biggest concern.

“I’d like to see the recruitment get better and I’d also like to see that the Tigers can actually sign top-notch players,” he said.

“I think that when you have a look at the poor old Tigers when they go on the market to try and buy players to try and go after some big names, a lot of the managers and so forth are using the Tigers as a springboard to get more money from other clubs.

“Everyone that comes on the market we seem to talk to but we never seem to get them.

“I don’t know whether they can do any more than make good offers to good players that are on the market but you’ve got to have a reason for them to want to got there.”

The Tigers are lacking a star playmaker. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

The Tigers have missed out on several big-name recruits in recent times, most notably Tevita Pangai Junior, who decided to join the Canterbury Bulldogs from next year after the Tigers reportedly offered him a lucrative contract.

Roach said the Tigers will continue to be a middle-of-the-table side unless they find a way to improve their roster and add some star power.

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“It’s going to be a long road for them and unless Tim Sheens comes and gets their recruitment right and we can attract the right players, we’re going to struggle a little bit,” he said.

“They’ll improve as players but until they get that X-factor player or a couple of players, otherwise you’re virtually making up the numbers every year.”

After a scrappy win over the Cowboys on Saturday, the Tigers are 13th on the ladder but are only one win outside the top eight.

They would have to win at least two of their remaining three games against the Sharks, Panthers and Bulldogs to have any chance of sneaking into the finals.

The third episode of the documentary series ‘Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town’ tracking the Tigers’ season will be shown at 7.30pm (AEST) on Monday on Fox League and Kayo.

How to watch Wild Wests: Tales From Tigertown

All episodes will be available on FOX LEAGUE Channel 502, FOX8 & Kayo

Episode 3: Monday, August 16, 7.30pm AEST

Episode 4: Monday, August 30, 7.30pm AEST

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