Madge-ic Round: Coach hails Brooks after Tigers’ big win over Knights
Luke Brooks was outstanding for the Wests Tigers – and coach Michael Maguire hopes those critics who love beating up on the halfback take note.
The Tigers sprung the first Magic Round upset with a 36-18 win over Newcastle, and the little No.7 had a try, set up two others and ran for nearly 170 metres.
Adam Doueihi celebrates one of his two tries on Friday night.Credit:Getty
“[But] not many people have to go through those sorts of things.
“It’s in our hands as a group and a team, we’ll do that again and let people write what they want.”
Brooks was still trying his heart out late in the game when he somehow found the energy to run down Knights centre Bradman Best.
The 26-year-old is in his ninth season in the NRL, and Brooks told the Herald: “Sometimes I feel like [the most criticised Tiger] but there’s no point worrying about it. It can impact on your confidence, but when you win and play some good footy, that builds your confidence as well.
Kurt Mann gets hammered by the Tigers defence.Credit:Getty
“It was nice to go out and play a bit of footy and get my running game on. I wanted to simplify my game and run hard, tackle hard and kick to the corner.”
By shifting Doueihi to the centres, Maguire paired Brooks with the more experienced Moses Mbye who allowed his halfback to run more while also delivering nice early ball for Luciano Leilua and Doueihi, two devastating ball-runners.
Doueihi was just that against the Knights as he scored two tries and gave no indication he was kicking stones about giving up his No.6 jersey.
Maguire was furious in the Campbelltown Stadium sheds after last Saturday night’s loss to the Gold Coast. He deserves credit for shaking things up, which should also silence his own haters.
The real challenge, however will be backing it up in a game they will be tipped to win against the New Zealand Warriors next Friday night.
Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien certainly respected the Tigers intensity early as his side fell behind 18-0 in as many minutes. They were lucky to only trail 22-4 at the break.
Despite winning their opening two games, the Knights have now lost six of their past eight. However, O’Brien has had to contend with injuries to key players, including fullback Kalyn Ponga who was a late scratching with an adductor injury, but his team can show more than this performance.
To add injury and insult, Hymel Hunt suffered a hamstring injury and Kurt Mann was placed on report for a crusher tackle.
“With the physical parts of the game we were beaten to the punch straight away,” O’Brien said. “We got beaten-up in that first half with and without the ball.
“We were man-handled, put on to our backs and weren’t willing to fight hard. It’s just really disappointing.
“We need to find a way at this club to learn how to win again, and what it takes week in week out … the club is used to this rollercoaster we’re on, and we need to get off it.″
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