The Wests Tigers have moved to shut down speculation about one of their star players, with a club legend hitting out at the rumours.
Wests Tigers director of football Tim Sheens has emphatically shut down rumours about the future of halfback Luke Brooks, stating he “will not be leaving the club”.
The strong response followed reports the star playmaker could move to another NRL club this offseason.
Brooks has been linked with Newcastle and the Bulldogs and on Saturday, the Daily Telegraph reported he was a serious option to take up the halfback position at the Knights if Mitchell Pearce’s likely move to the Super League is confirmed.
And according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Brooks was no longer interested in being coached by incumbent Tigers mentor Michael Maguire.
But Sheens moved swiftly to reject speculation regarding Brooks’ future in a firmly-worded statement issued on Sunday night.
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“Luke Brooks is contracted with Wests Tigers until at least the end of 2023 and, contrary to media speculation, will not be leaving the club,” he said.
“Luke is a proud local junior and an extremely talented halfback, who has shown an unquestionable level of commitment to Wests Tigers over a number of years.
“It is clear that he remains an integral part of the long-term plans of Wests Tigers and, in speaking with him, he too is equally focused and passionate on delivering sustained success for the club.”
Sheens described the speculation regarding Brooks’ future as “unfair” and “false conjecture”, adding he had spoken to the 26-year-old and been reassured he would be at the club for the long term.
“Wests Tigers have been definitive on this matter and will continue to reiterate this against any untrue speculation,” he said.
“It is unfair on Luke, his teammates and family, as well as those involved with the club, to raise false conjecture on his future lying away from Wests Tigers when both he and the club are united on delivering success together.
“I have known Luke for a long time and am continually impressed by the way that he carries himself both on and off the field.
“I look forward to working with him again to give the proud members of this club the performances and results they deserve.”
Sheens coached the Tigers to their only premiership in 2005 and has been brought on as director of football to oversee the club’s off-field administration following several years of poor results.
Earlier this month the Tigers made their first major move since the 70-year-old returned to the club, parting ways with general manager of football Adam Hartigan.
The Tigers finished 13th on the ladder this year and own the longest finals drought of any NRL team, having last made the top eight in 2011.
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