Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has come to the defence of under-fire halfback Luke Brooks, declaring the criticism towards the side s No.7 playmaker is unhealthy and unwarranted.
Brooks, who celebrated his 150th game at the club in round two, has been linked to rivals over the past fortnight after producing a mixed bag in the opening five weeks of the competition.
The 26-year-old leads the NRL Telstra Premiership in try assists this season but the fact the Tigers haven t played finals since 2011 is ammunition for Brooks critics. There is a very unhealthy and unwarranted focus on Luke Brooks as a result of the difficulties the squad has encountered as a whole to start the season, Hagipantelis told NRL.com.
More than $3 million in salary cap money to spend, sponsors clamouring to get on board, a production line of local talent, regular finals contenders and a hierarchy with ambitions to become one of the NRL’s leading franchises within coming seasons.
There s plenty of appeal to coaching Cronulla and Craig Fitzgibbon’s decision to reject previous approaches from the Knights, Warriors and Dragons to wait for the right job may prove to be wise if he takes charge of the club next season.
Cronulla CEO Dino Mezzatesta met with coach John Morris and his agent, Chris Orr, on Monday after reports that the 40-year-old coach’s contract would not be extended beyond this season. They were assured that the Sharks were yet to make a call about his future.
An old-fashioned bonding session organised by St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin after a frustrating training session is being credited by Dragons players with helping to spark their winning start to the season.
Griffin was unhappy with a pre-season session so he cut training short and told the players they would repeat the session the following day – but this time they would get it right.
And then, he said, they would enjoy a few beers together.
“There was a look of shock among the boys,” second-rower Josh Kerr said. “It was like, ‘wow. How good is that!’.
“It sounds crazy but we haven’t had that here before and honestly it is refreshing. It makes you want to play for the coach and play for each other.”
The team proving season shouldnât be lopsided mess 2021 NRL Round 04 - Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons, McDonald Jones Stadium, 2021-04-04. Digital image by Shane Myers � NRL Photos
Rugby League by Paul Crawley
Premium Content Attention Canterbury, Manly and North Queensland. Because right here is the proof that this year s NRL competition doesn t have to be the lopsided mess it has been so far in the early rounds. The Dragons really took it to Newcastle on Sunday. Not if all teams and all players turn up with the same passion, spirit and intensity that is finally restoring pride in the famous Red V.