Much has been made of a plethora of withdrawals for this weekend's round of representative matches, and whilst at the top of the tree only injuries have prevented the odd player from representing his country of choice, it seems further down the representative tree things are all together a lot more relaxed.
Multiple players have withdrawn from Sunday afternoon's City v Country clash in Dubbo due to "injury". Trouble is that some of these players appear to be using the term "injury" to simply rest up a little for their clubs as we head in to the all important middle third of the season. The situation has gotten so bad now that even players from the Under 20's Origin clash on Saturday night are using the same excuses.....or their clubs are at least.
In the case of Luke Brooks and the Wests Tigers, i think we need to look at this one just a little differently. In my mind what the Tigers have done with Brooks is fair enough given the circumstances. Eight players are currently listed on the WESTS TIGERS INJURY REPORT. A further 3 players, David Nofoaluma, Keith Galloway and Blake Austin, are also injury concerns ahead of Friday week's showdown with the Sydney Roosters. Add to that Tim Simona will serve the second and final game of his suspension.
That means the Wests Tigers will have a minimum 9 of their top 25 players unavailable next Friday night. That figure could rise as Galloway and Nofoaluma are no certainties at this point to play either. Now withdrawing Luke Brooks from the Under 20's Origin game isn't necessarily a vote of no confidence in the kid's ability to get through the game unscathed, rather it's about the club protecting its own interests when in a vulnerable position.
I guess we could also argue the fact that Brooks hasn't even played a Holden Cup game this season, so what's the point?? Surely there's no harm in giving his spot to a kid looking for an opportunity Brooks has already had (last season) and no offence meant, could get more valuable experience from an NRL game anyways.
The point though is that Wests Tigers should be allowed to make the call on Brooks and not be slated for doing so due to the high amount of players currently injured from the top squad. I don't think it's an unreasonable request at all. In this instance surely the club who pays the wages of Brooks has the right to look after itself first and foremost.
Fans would be mightily peeved if Brooks or even any other our rep players this weekend were to get injured. You may ask why then do we not withdraw Aaron Woods from the City side?? In truth i believe there's merit in this also but as the City-County clash acts as a Origin trial, it certainly won't hurt Aaron to play here.
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