Loyal Luke steps reluctantly into the limelight for No.200

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks is yet to begin discussions with the club about a possible contract extension but was content with his future either way ahead of his 200th NRL game on Saturday. 

Brooks will become just the fifth Wests Tigers player to reach the milestone when he runs out against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval in a season that could potentially be his last at the joint venture after a decade of service.

The off-contract 28-year-old preferred to play down his one-club achievement with the media on Tuesday but couldn't escape the fanfare when players and staff held a special presentation for him at Concord shortly after. 

"It's a special moment but probably something I'll look back on when I finish playing footy and cherish," Brooks said.

"It's come around quick, it still feels like yesterday [I played my first game]. I still feel like a young bloke.

"I don't really think about this stuff too much. I don't like being in the limelight and like to lay low but when these milestones come up you've got to celebrate them."

After a career that started with so much promise at the SCG, Brooks' lack of finals appearances in his 199-game career to date has made him one of the most maligned playmakers in NRL history. 

However, with Adam Doueihi sidelined for most of next season with a knee injury, there's every chance management will offer a cut-price deal for the 28-year-old to remain at the club next year.

Brooks was reportedly shopped around to rival clubs last season, a move that legends like Andrew Johns said was needed, before Tim Sheens opted to stick with him in 2023.

Brooks and his teammates have turned a corner in recent weeks after a slow start, with their next test at Leichhardt Oval a chance to correct a disappointing recent record at the venue.

"It would be nice to finish out my career here but if that doesn't happen then so be it," Brooks said. 

"A lot of people have opinions on [whether I should've moved on last year]. I don't know, I guess I'd find out if I did change but for now I'm just worrying about playing footy for the Tigers and that's all I can do.

"If I play my best footy then that stuff [future] will look after itself. I haven't been thinking about it too much. I've learned to get used to it.

"[The scrutiny] has [affected me] but getting older you realise it's not all on me. It's a team game so there's no point worrying about what's happened in the past.

I've been playing for 10 years and you learn how to deal with those sort of things.

"It's my personality to be shy and stay out of the spotlight but being in my position you are in the spotlight."

Brooks rates the Tigers' forward pack as one of the "best in the game" and is confident they can lay the platform for he and Brandon Wakeham to work off as they look to climb the ladder in the second half of the season.

"The first couple of games wasn't our best but the last 4-5 weeks we've found the way we want to play," Brooks said.

"We've got a great forward pack and playing through the middle brings Api into the game as well.

"We went toe-to-toe with the best side on the weekend. I know the scoreline got to 20-0 but for 72 minutes it was 8-0. I think we're a tough side."