Luke Brooks

Top 10 realistic options to replace Luke Brooks in 2024

The options include six NRL players, three Super League players and an SG Ball halfback.

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk

As Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks runs off-contract at the end of the season, the club has a difficult decision to make.

Zero Tackle takes a look at ten realistic options the Tigers could choose to replace the former Dally M Halfback of the Year.

All the players on the list are either off-contract at the end of 2023 or won't have an NRL club going into next season.

The options include six NRL players, three Super League players and an SG Ball halfback.

Blake Taafe (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Blake Taaffe of the Rabbitohs passes during the round 17 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys at McDonald Jones Stadium, on July 09, 2021, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Blake Taaffe has struggled to cement his spot in the first-grade team with most of his appearances being off the interchange or as the 18th man when the squad is fully fit.

A fullback and halfback by trade, he has to contend with Latrell Mitchell and Lachlan Ilias who are in those respective positions.

Signing with the Tigers would allow him to develop his skills under Benji Marshall and get more game time in the NRL. The change of scenery can do good for Taaffe who is only 23 years old.

Even though he has only played 20 NRL games to date, his potential can be seen every time he graces the field. Touted as a wonderkid, the U20 New South Wales representative would fit perfectly in the Tigers' attacking style of play.

Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Shaun Johnson of the Warriors kicks the ball during the warm-up before during the round one NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Sunshine Coast Stadium, on March 12, 2022, in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The 2014 Golden Boot award winner, Shaun Johnson is one of the best players the Tigers could pick up due to his NRL experience and playing in big moments.

While many might not believe he will leave the Warriors, he has left them once before to play with the Cronulla Sharks. Instead, a move to the Tigers will see Johnson link up with his former halves partner Benji Marshall.

The 'Marshall Factor' could be a decisive reason for the Kiwi playmaker to join another club again.

Despite being 32 years old, Johnson has shown this season that his skill with the ball is ageing like fine wine and he is not afraid to take on the entire opposition with his stepping game.

Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Tuimoala Lolohea of the Tigers passes the ball during the round 24 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

It could be a full circle if Tuimoala Lolohea returns back to the Wests Tigers after being released by them at the end of the 2018 season.

Underappreciated back then, Lolohea has hit prime form whilst playing with the Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League.

Aged 27, Lolohea has plenty of great years ahead of him. He showed a glimpse of this in the Rugby League World Cup where he was the number one halfback option for Tonga.

In the tournament, the ex-Tiger created two try assists, scored two tries himself, had 107 running metres per game and forced three dropouts with 273.7 average kicking metres.

Kyle Flanagan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 27: Kyle Flanagan of the Bulldogs looks to pass during the round three NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on March 27, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

One of the more expensive players on this list with a $400,000 price tag, many would forget that Kyle Flanagan is only still 22 years of age.

Although he has struggled since joining the Bulldogs, Flanagan has shown plenty of potential for what he is capable of. In 2020 with the Roosters, he averaged 257 kicking metres per game and created 11 try assists.

With the additional signings of Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney, Flanagan is no longer the scapegoat of the Bulldogs' woes and he has grown into the No.7 jersey.

Playing a perfect role with Matt Burton in the halves, he can be expected to do the same with Adam Doueihi if he is bought over to the Tigers.

Arthur Mourgue (Catalans Dragons)

Debuting at 17, Arthur Mourgue may be a name unfamiliar to some fans due to not having played in the NRL.

However, others might know him as the utility back for the French national team or the Catalans Dragons where he helped lead them to the 2021 Super League Grand Final.

His three-year contract with Catalans will come to an end this season, with many clubs sure to be interested in signing the promising youngster.

Mourgue will bring pure speed from the ruck and can change the game in an instant with the ball in his hands something that Benji Marshall did in his prime.

Jack Cogger (Penrith Panthers)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Jack Cogger of the Knights in action during the round 25 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium on August 25, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Before signing with the Panthers this season to take up the Sean O'Sullivan role, Jack Cogger was known as a versatile playmaker for the Knights, Bulldogs and Huddersfield Giants in England.

The 25-year-old has a great kicking game, an area in which the Tigers have struggled in recent times. He has also been shown to make the right choice when it comes to the 4th and 5th tackle options.

When he played for the Knights in 2017-18 he had 18 try assists and forced 10 drop-outs. If he is given the chance he can be a breakout player like Sean O'Sullivan and reclaim his form.

Currently used in the NSW Cup by the Panthers, Cogger has averaged 231.8 kicking metres, forced one drop-out and set up a try and line break a piece.

Oliver Lawry (Wests Tigers SG Ball)

Instead of the Tigers looking to sign a new halfback, they may look to their junior ranks where they will find Oliver Lawry.

Recruited from New Zealand, Lawry stands at over six foot tall and has been exceptional in the SG Ball with his great skills and vision.

The youngster has already taken part in a handful of NRL training sessions with the Tigers in the pre-season where he developed under Brooks and Adam Doueihi.

Before being recruited to the club, the half was a standout in the Ruben Wiki Cup (National 20s) for South Island. Here, he was one of the standout performers in the entire competition.

Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Aidan Sezer of the Raiders runs the ball during the round five NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

A former halfback with the Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders, Aidan Sezer joined the English Super League in 2020 where he has continued to flourish.

A Man of Steel nominee, Sezer currently displays his talents for the Leeds Rhinos where he helped the club reach the Grand Final against St Helens.

A running threat with the ball, he will be a great addition to the Tigers' attacking style of play. If the Tigers are looking for an attacking playmaker who isn't scared to make mistakes then Sezer is a must-have.

Sezer has previously shown his skill in the NRL and was once a hot transfer target when he was younger. However, he has not slowed down but instead gotten better with age.

Daniel Atkinson (Cronulla Sharks)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Daniel Atkinson of Italy looks on during Rugby League World Cup 2021 Pool B match between Scotland and Italy at Kingston Park on October 16, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC)

Despite only having one NRL game to his name so far, Daniel Atkinson has evolved into a great playmaker for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup.

Only 22 years of age, the Italian playmaker has had amazing mentors to help develop his skills.

Originally learning from Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the Storm he is now learning from Matt Moylan and Nicho Hynes at the Sharks.

In five appearances for Newtown in the NSW Cup, Atkinson has scored three tries, forced three drop-outs and set up three tries with his incredible playmaking skill.

Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Daine Laurie of the Tigers shapes to pass during the round one NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium, on March 12, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

While it seems that Daine Laurie is currently on the outs at the Tigers, a position change could make him a useful commodity for the side.

The club's first-choice fullback for the past two seasons, the addition of Charlie Staines has seen him play more in the NSW Cup for the Western Suburbs Magpies rather than the NRL.

Fans and critics may believe this to be an absurd choice but many players in the past have successfully transitioned from fullback to halfback. One example is Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes who was originally recruited as a fullback.

Moving Laurie to the halves accompanying Adam Doueihi will also cement Staines at fullback. This will allow the players to stay in the side and not be continually moved between NRL and NSW Cup.

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk