ROCKHAMPTON, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Luke Brooks of the Tigers looks dejected after losing the round 23 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks at Browne Park, on August 21, 2021, in Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Wests Tigers have plenty of big decisions to make in the coming months.
While finding a future head coach to take over from the start of 2023 will be among the biggest - and most widely discussed - priorities, the future of Luke Brooks continues to come under the microscope.
The half, who has played 175 NRL games but never led his side to the finals, is reportedly at risk of being dropped for the first time in his career for an upcoming Round 16 clash, which will also double as the return to Auckland for the New Zealand Warriors in what will be an emotional afternoon for the club.
That storyline threatens to be derailed though, with Brooks reportedly no sure thing to remain at the joint venture next season.
Brooks reportedly requested a release before the 2022 season started, with the Newcastle Knights keen, but director of football Tim Sheens and the Tigers' recruitment staff knocked it back flat.
It has been revealed on Fox Sports' NRL 360 that no club would be willing to pay more than about $500,000 per season for Brooks however, which could leave the Tigers needing to fork out up to $600,000 for the final year of his deal if he was to be released.
Brooks is off-contract at the Tigers at the end of 2023, with the deal believed to be worth $1.1 million in its final year.
“I spoke to a couple of recruitment people today seeking interest in Brooks and was told they (Tigers) would have to contribute $600,000 of $1.1 million,” News Corp's Phil Rothfield told NRL 360.
“That would make him a $500,000 buy, so you think is that a wise move for the Wests Tigers? Well if they want to move him on it is.
“It is not the first time it has happened. When Ivan Cleary turned up at Penrith he wasn’t happy with the squad that Gus had built.
“He offloaded Waqa Blake, Trent Merrin and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to other clubs and contributed significantly about $800,000 to their salaries.”
It's understood the Tigers could still be interested. While reports of Brooks being dropped for the Round 16 game have been shut down, the club have Adam Doueihi and Jackson Hastings on their roster, while Jock Madden's future is also yet to be confirmed.