Saturday afternoon's victory over the Dragons painted more than just the odd picture. Sure, the SCG is the grandest setting in a magnitude of sporting venues in Sydney. There was also the historic occasion of remembering the 1963 Grand Final between Wests and St George at the very same ground. But much like the SCG today, a lot has changed since that day. Like the SCG in many ways is almost unrecognizable from that day, Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra represented a very much modern day formation - one for the joint venture era.
Further more though and perhaps my most significant observation, in a such a grand and historic setting, was seeing the likes of debutant Luke Brooks shine. For an 18 year old rookie, this debut was special. It had poise, maturity and class. He wasn't alone. Several other younger members of this Wests Tigers also shone. Tim Simona added another couple of tries to his breakout season and was as elusive as ever. James Tedesco was as assured as a good fullback should be. His dangerous support play in attack made this arguably his best performance of the season all round. Not to be forgotten too were Curtis Sironen who proved he has what it takes in the second row. Hooker Joel Luani is also cementing his spot as Robbie Farah's back up - a capable one at that.
However it can't be over looked. For as much as this was a team performance, the biggest talking point on Saturday's win, and rightly so, was the arrival of Luke Brooks. No. This is not the time to get all giddy about the fact that Wests Tigers may finally have a half back of the real deal on it's books. That will come in time - we hope. But the circumstances were undeniable. Brooks' debut came at the expense of Benji Marshall, who more or less spent the best part of the game in the centres. His role was almost more of a roving role. It was also a role he filled to great effect. It was unquestionably Marshall's best game of the year.
But as Marshall took a step back for the team, it was Brooks who stepped in. His distribution was very sound, he ran the football with great effect and his short kicking game was precise on more than a few occasions. His defence too was admirable. He forced loose balls on two carries, one that could've ended with a try conceded. That same tackle also lead to a long distance Tim Simona try on half time. It's also noted that he had his forwards running where he wanted them. It was a real encouraging performance!
Perhaps though the best picture that could've been painted on the day belonged to the moment where Brooks had put Curtis Sironen over for a try. There, embracing in the in goal to celebrate, basking in the afternoon sun were four of the Tigers generation next. Curtis Sironen, Luke Brooks, Tim Simona and James Tedesco. They stood there arm in arm, huddled in a circle almost as if there was real significance for themselves too. It could well end up a promotional tool for the Wests Tigers in 2014. It was a touching moment and the realization dawned that times are changing at Wests Tigers. The same path that had been trodden by our 2005 squad and was still being trodden in 2012 is now firmly shifting. A new era is beginning already
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