LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
'Let the kids play their own game': Luke Brooks has high hopes for Lachie Galvin, urging fans not to draw parallels to past legends after experiencing the burden of Andrew Johns comparisons.
Luke Brooks, who faced the pressure of being likened to the iconic Andrew Johns after a stellar debut, is relieved that young gun Lachie Galvin is not being compared to rugby league's elite five-eighths.
Brooks vividly recalls his momentous debut for the Tigers at the SCG as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, where he dazzled the crowd with a try against the Dragons.
However, the premature comparisons to the Immortal Andrew Johns cast a shadow over him for a decade, impacting his performance as the Tigers fell short of Finals glory.
In a sport where rookie sensations often face undue expectations, Brooks commends the restraint shown by fans in allowing Galvin to forge his own path and adjust to the rigors of the NRL.
While some liken Galvin's style to former Blues representative Scott Hill, who made his mark with the Storm and triumphed in the 2000 World Cup, Brooks believes it is a fair comparison that eases the burden on the young talent.
As the Tigers chase success, Brooks emphasizes the importance of letting emerging stars shine in their own right, steering clear of premature comparisons and instead nurturing their growth in the game.