Brooks and Brown: Unlikely Captains Ready to Lead Manly

If you went to bookmakers a year ago, you would have received heavy odds on Luke Brooks and Nathan Brown co-captaining Manly in 2024.

But, a year later, with more than a dozen players missing due to an injury, suspension, or State of Origin commitments, the odd duo is ready to lead the Sea Eagles against South Sydney on Saturday.

In doing so, they will follow in the footsteps of some of the game’s greats, including Bob Fulton, Geoff Toovey, Jamie Lyon, Paul Vautin, and current captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

It concludes a tremendous comeback for the duo.

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Brooks was still trying to inspire the Wests Tigers despite years of promise, while Brown’s career seemed to be on the verge of collapse after falling out of popularity at Parramatta and struggling to adjust to life at the Sydney Roosters.

“It’s just going to be one week until ‘Chez’ gets back,” Brooks said.

“I probably didn’t have to worry about leadership when I arrived here.

“It was pleasant but with the injuries we’ve had I have had to help out there and that’s why I’m looking forward to it.”

Brown joined to Manly on a trial basis, but he impressed Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold enough to convince him that there were more chapters to his NRL career.

Brooks transferred from Concord to Brookvale for the opportunity to play without pressure, and he has developed a strong rapport with Cherry-Evans.

Brooks now has to do it without the usual Manly skipper by his side, but he takes comfort in the fact that, like Brown, he has been thrown into the furnace before.

“I and Brownie played U20s for the Tigers together and made our NRL debuts together,” Brooks told the reporters.

“Now we’re at Manly together, and I like playing with him.

“He contributes greatly to our squad, both offensively and defensively. Brownie continues to play on that fine edge and provides aggressiveness.

“He wants to come across the line and put something big on and change the rhythm.”

Brown has been popular for his back fence carries since the start of the season, and Brooks doesn’t expect him to slow down against the Rabbitohs either.

“He has to do it now because the public is getting around him so much,” Brooks joked.

“He probably makes things harder for himself by going into six blokes but that’s the kind of strong player he is.”