Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire can’t fathom the criticism his halfback cops but says the saving grace is that Luke Brooks always has the chance to change what people say.
He likely did that on Friday night, orchestrating a 36-18 defeat of Newcastle that the coach hopes is the new standard for the under-pressure club and playmaker.
Brooks scored the opener then used his kicking and passing game to have a hand in almost all of their six tries, Adam Doueihi and Mose Mbye also impressing after the pair’s controversial positional switch.
It moved them to 3-7 for the season and temporarily halted criticism after five losses from their last six games.
“He was (great) and I hope people realise that I can’t believe how much one player can get hammered,” Maguire said of Brooks.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
“He doesn’t miss all the tackles… it’s crazy, but to Brooksy’s credit (he doesn’t let it get to him).
“We (can) back it up again and get to change what people say so let’s back it up.
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“We’re one week away from being applauded again and one week of the other (being criticised).”
Maguire said his decision to shift the in-form Doueihi from five-eighth to centre and move Mybe into the number six was made to further exploit Doueihi’s running game.