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A tale of two Lukes – Brooks and Thompson – has the potential to impact several NRL clubs, and shake up the game, this week.
Luke Brooks is being positioned to leave Wests Tigers, with his management saying he would prefer not to be coached by Michael Maguire. He has been linked with the Bulldogs and the Knights.
Luke Thompson’s situation is potentially more explosive. He has been butting heads with Bulldogs management about COVID vaccination. He has told them a number of times that he does not want to be vaccinated. He didn’t even want to wear a mask in Brisbane when players were required to do so after the competition was relocated to Queensland.
I revealed a few weeks ago on Channel Nine news that Bulldogs players were told they had to be double vaccinated by the start of pre-season training on November 1.
I sent Thompson questions about his opposition to vaccinations, but received no reply. Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton also declined to comment.
Canterbury would be happy if Thompson took his attitude towards COVID elsewhere. One of Thompson’s best mates is Wests Tigers UK recruit Oliver Gildart. I’ve been told Gildart has been trying to recruit Thompson to the Tigers, without much luck.
And this is where the two Lukes are linked. If Thompson moved on, there would be money for Brooks at Belmore. It is my understanding that Brooks would be happy to be coached by Trent Barrett. The Tigers have specialist halfback Jackson Hastings counting down the minutes in quarantine after his return from the UK Super League.
The other issue for the Bulldogs is they already have a No.7, Kyle Flanagan. Even if they wanted Brooks – and got him at a discounted rate – the Bulldogs would still have more than $1.3million tied up in the two halfbacks. That’s a big drain on their salary cap.
Luke Brooks is being positioned to leave Wests Tigers, with his management saying he would prefer not to be coached by Michael Maguire. He has been linked with the Bulldogs and the Knights.
Luke Thompson’s situation is potentially more explosive. He has been butting heads with Bulldogs management about COVID vaccination. He has told them a number of times that he does not want to be vaccinated. He didn’t even want to wear a mask in Brisbane when players were required to do so after the competition was relocated to Queensland.
I revealed a few weeks ago on Channel Nine news that Bulldogs players were told they had to be double vaccinated by the start of pre-season training on November 1.
I sent Thompson questions about his opposition to vaccinations, but received no reply. Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton also declined to comment.
Canterbury would be happy if Thompson took his attitude towards COVID elsewhere. One of Thompson’s best mates is Wests Tigers UK recruit Oliver Gildart. I’ve been told Gildart has been trying to recruit Thompson to the Tigers, without much luck.
And this is where the two Lukes are linked. If Thompson moved on, there would be money for Brooks at Belmore. It is my understanding that Brooks would be happy to be coached by Trent Barrett. The Tigers have specialist halfback Jackson Hastings counting down the minutes in quarantine after his return from the UK Super League.
The other issue for the Bulldogs is they already have a No.7, Kyle Flanagan. Even if they wanted Brooks – and got him at a discounted rate – the Bulldogs would still have more than $1.3million tied up in the two halfbacks. That’s a big drain on their salary cap.
Vaccine stance a major sticking point for Bulldogs
Luke Thompson’s stance on COVID vaccination could have a big effect on where Luke Brooks plays next season.
www.smh.com.au