Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has questioned the reaction behind Luke Brooks' move to Manly after the halfback signed a four-year deal, ending his long association with the club.
Brooks has been maligned since debuting for the Tigers in 2013 and will seek a fresh start in 2024.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Sheens was notably frustrated at questions around the departure of Brooks.
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Many reports have spoken of a rift between Tigers coaches, including assistant Benji Marshall, and head of recruitment Scott Fulton.
Sheens addressed the speculation and stated "that's wrong" around whether the recruitment department played a major role in Brooks' departure.
"There was no divide about wanting Brooksy to stay, the issue is he decided to go," he said.
"I think there's more money involved and other things, we have to live with that, these things come and go, every year that happens to heaps of clubs and heaps of players.
"He's made his choice, I'm happy for him."
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Throughout the past few seasons, the Tigers and Brooks have been hit with criticism from many quarters, having not played finals since 2011, during Sheens' previous stint as head coach.
The club saw talented juniors Aaron Woods, James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses all leave in 2017, which has been a point of major criticism over the years.
After Manly received mostly positive praise for the signing of Brooks, Sheens found the coverage confusing.
"There's papers now saying what a great buy he is for Manly and I'm sure it's the same papers who were saying he's hopeless, so that's ridiculous," he said.
After receiving a number of questions around Brooks and reported rifts in the club, the Tigers coach also clarified the role of recruitment staff and coaches when pursuing and retaining players.
"The coaches make recommendations, the amount of money the club has with salary cap and all of that weighs in on that," he said.
"You'd like to think the coach gets what he wants."
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