Tigers can’t afford Cleary, Brooks and Reynolds: Alexander

If the Tigers are to bring in Nathan Cleary to play under his father, Ivan, it would spell the end of Luke Brooks or Josh Reynolds' tenure at the joint-venture club.

That's according to Fox League commentator Greg Alexander, who believes the trio can't all fit under the same salary cap.

The obvious choice to make way for Cleary would be Brooks given the pair play in the same position, and Alexander believes that's the most likely scenario, with Reynolds on a lucrative contract.

”If Nathan Cleary goes to join his Dad then I would say Luke Brooks wouldn’t be at the Tigers,” Alexander said on Fox League on Thursday night.

“They can’t fit them all in. They have Josh Reynolds who has a four year deal at the Tigers and hasn’t struck a blow this year because of injury and he’s on a massive deal.”

Cleary has impressed for the Panthers this season and was apart of the Blues' State of Origin victory, while Brooks has had his moments for the Tigers.

Reynolds has only featured five times in 2018, with injuries interrupting his season.

Despite Benji Marshall currently owning the No. 6 jersey, his career is set to come to an end over the next couple of seasons, meaning a spot is open in the halves.

“You would think that by the end of next year Benji (Marshall) would have played his last footy, even though he is going great at the moment,” Alexander added.

“So I would think Luke Brooks would have to move on. If they were going to sign Nathan Cleary they can’t fit both of them in and still have Josh Reynolds there.

“Otherwise they make a decision and say, Josh Reynolds is superfluous and sell him off to some other club and keep Cleary and Brooks as the halves.”

The only problem with keeping Cleary and Brooks in the side, is the fact they're both genuine halfbacks.

Alexander doesn't see that as a major problem, suggesting Brooks could shift to five-eighth to allow Cleary to flourish at No. 7.

“I think Brooks could play No.6,” Alexander said.

“There is a lot of money tied up if you had Reynolds, Cleary and Brooks.

“But I think Luke Brooks could handle it because he has been a player that has taken some time to own the team.

“In his early days he was a player that didn’t mind standing back and looked like he was reluctant to own the team.

“He has had Mitchell Moses outside him, who was a more dominant player, but I think Brooks could play in the No.6 because he has the running game to play like a No.6 or a second fullback.

“Nathan is not that type of player, he is a halfback, but I think you could fit both in.”