Tim Sheens has decided against giving much-maligned halfback Luke Brooks too much praise after the Tigers huge upset win over the Panthers.
Brooks played a leading role in Tigers first win of the season, kicking two 40/20s and steering the side around the park with confidence against the reigning premiers.
However, Sheens was happy to keep his summation on the half-back’s performance brief.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – REECE ROBSON
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson dissects his side’s “frustrating” start to the season and opens up on when the team realised something wasn’t quite right. Robson also looks back at his rugby league journey to become one of the top No. 9s in the game. Listen HERE >
“He had a good game, that’s all I’m going to say. Brooksy doesn’t like seeing his name in the newspaper,” Sheens said with a smirk.
“Both halves played well, that’s their second game together now.”
Tigers captain Api Koroisau meanwhile, was more effusive in his description of the half-back’s performance.
“Luke Brooks played incredible. His kicking game was A1 today,” Koroisau said
“I couldn’t be happier for him. He was really good for us, especially in that second half.”
Saturday night’s win was the first for Brooks since April 23, 2022 when the Tigers defeated Souths 23-22.
Tigers knock off Panthers to end drought | 07:54
It’s been a tough season for the Tigers and for Brooks especially, as he continues to hear criticism about his play and whether he’s worth the $1.1 million contract he’s on.
But the 28-year-old struck a happy figure post-game when talking to Fox League, even taking a friendly jab at Sheens when asked what advice assistant coach Benji Marshall had given him.
“I can’t really remember, I think he just said stick to what we are doing,” Brooks said.
“He (Sheens) likes to talk a lot, so just keep doing what we were doing and complete our sets.
“The win was good, it was a long time coming. I feel like we haven’t been playing too bad, we’ve been close and we were confident coming into the game today.
“It was a tough one, we knew they (Penrith) have been the benchmark over the last few years, but it is just great to get a win.
Brooksy magic puts Tigers in to score | 00:46
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“Especially in these conditions, that was our focus we just wanted to kick early and complete our sets then back our defence. I thought we did that throughout the whole 80 minutes.”
Brooks also paid credit to Koroisau and rising star Jahream Bula, who was excellent at fullback for the second straight match to begin his career.
“Api’s been great for us and obviously coming up against his former club he wanted to put in a good performance,” Brooks said.
“As you said, he controlled that middle third … yeah, we are just happy to get the win.”
“He (Bula) was outstanding, second game in first grade and there was a couple of bombs there near the end of the game and he was under pressure, he took them
.
“He’s a great player and he’s got a big future in the game.”
