Those who frequent social media, especially Twitter, may have noticed the absence in the past two weeks of the Luke Brooks knockers.
The Wests Tigers number seven, who has been the side’s best player all season, really hits his straps in the back to back victories over Penrith and St George.
For reasons best known to themselves, the Brooks haters have, until recently, been unrelenting in their criticism.
Many of them have been blaming the half back for the club’s lack of success and just about all of the world’s problems.
To his credit, Brooks has ignored the slings and arrows thrown at him and concentrated on his footy.
He has been so good Brooks is being talked about for Origin if something were to happen to Nathan Cleary.
The silence from the mob of keyboard warriors has been deafening and long may it continue.
This Sunday, as Wests Tigers contemplate three on the trot when they take on Parramatta, Brooks will once again be the key.
But the forwards have to do their work in the middle to give the space he needs to explode.
Another player who stood out in the past couple of weeks has been Alex Seyfarth, especially against the Panthers last Friday night.
However the return from Queensland Origin duty of Joe Ofahengaue has meant Seafarth (pictured) has been shifted to the bench for the Eels clash.
Apart from that tweak, coach Michael Maguire has named a relatively unchanged side for Sunday’s round 14 away match up.
Moses Mbye has been named to play despite going off last week with a minor knee complaint.
The former Queensland State of Origin utility has been named in the number six jersey for what will be the 149th NRL game of his career, once again partnering Luke Brooks at halfback – an experiment that has been rather successful so far.
The return of hooker Jake Simpkin from a minor calf injury sees him named among the reserves, with Billy Walters and development player Kelma Tuilagi also included in the 21-man squad for the first time this year.
Kick off on Sunday at Bankwest Stadium is 4.05pm.
WESTS TIGERS TEAM ROUND 14
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Tommy Talau
5. James Roberts
6. Moses Mbye
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Alex Twal
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahengaue
INTERCHANGE:
14. Stefano Utoikamanu
15. Shawn Blore
16. Tom Amone
17. Alex Seyfarth
RESERVES:
18. Michael Chee Kam
19. Billy Walters
20. Kelma Tuilagi
21. Jake Simpkin
