Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has put his hand up, saying that he needs to be better, as he prepares for his upcoming showdown with Storm veteran Cooper Cronk.
Brooks will spearhead the Tigers' hopes of reversing their four-game losing streak against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
"It'll be a tough game. Cooper Cronk is great and one of the best in the game. He is someone I'd like to emulate one day in terms of how he manages games," Brooks told NRL.com.
"Watching him when I was growing up, you think and realise you want to model your game around parts of his. I think he's a great professional and you can tell that by the way he plays and competes in every game."
Brooks' is equal-fourth with six try assists – whereas Cronk isn't even in the top 20 – but it hasn't necessarily translated to results for the Tigers in 2016.
The Tigers won their opening two games of the year but haven't tasted success since, leaving them 11th on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
Brooks was open to the fact that he and halves partner Mitch Moses were guilty for the Tigers' unsustainable style of play in their last start loss to Newcastle.
"We were just trying to score on every play so we'll definitely go back to basics this week. Mitch and I will have to make sure the forwards are rolling forward and play off the back of that," Brooks said.
"It comes down to better game management especially from me as the halfback. I have to be better. We have to make sure we're getting to our kicks too so that it helps us build up pressure throughout the game."
The Tigers' 18-16 loss to the Knights last Sunday was Brooks' 50th NRL game.
After a dream 2013 debut where he scored a try at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Brooks was quick to wise up to the harsh realities the competition can present to a young player of his stature.
"I was happy to get my 50th game but it obviously didn't go the way we wanted it to which was disappointing," he said.
"It has gone pretty quick the 50 games. I learnt straight away that it's a tough game and I think it helps you build up your character and grow as a person.
"I think you learn how to deal with things better as you become more mature. But you realise too [things like media pressure] come with the job and you have to still be yourself."
