LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Luke Brooks achieved a major milestone as a five-eighth in the NRL, finally experiencing the sweet taste of victory in the finals.
The Sea Eagles player admitted that the scrum play leading to Daly Cherry-Evans' try was a move they had never successfully executed in training, saying, "We practised it twice and stuffed it up."
After more than 4000 days of waiting, Brooks finally broke his finals curse, playing a crucial role in Manly's win over the Bulldogs.
Despite facing unfair comparisons to legendary halfback Andrew Johns early in his career, Brooks stayed patient through 230 games until he could taste finals success.
His move from the Tigers to the Sea Eagles proved to be a stroke of luck for the deserving player.
Reflecting on the intense atmosphere of the game, Brooks expressed his gratitude for the support of the 50,000 fans in attendance, including the passionate Manly supporters behind the goalposts.
Embracing the pressure of his first finals appearance, Brooks remained calm and focused, treating the game like any other, just with a larger audience.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for Brooks, who acknowledged the vocal Bulldogs fans but found immense joy in hearing the cheers of the loyal Manly supporters.
With his friends and family proudly wearing custom "Brooksy Finals Era" shirts, the victory marked a special moment in his career.
In the competitive world of rugby league, Brooks' persistence and determination paid off as he navigated the highs and lows of the game.
As he continues to grow and develop in his role as a playmaker, the talented five-eighth is set to make further waves in the finals arena.