From Leichhardt to Las Vegas, it’s been one hell of a journey for Luke Brooks.
The new Manly five-eighth capped off a fine club debut for the Sea Eagles by scoring a try in Manly’s 36-24 win over South Sydney at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday night.
Leaving behind a colourful past at the Wests Tigers, the 29-year-old Brooks played like a free man in the first ever rugby league premiership match to be played in America.
And despite having over 200 games of NRL experience behind him, Brooks admitted there were a few nerves when he pulled on the Manly jersey for the first time.
“Bloody oath, it’s been a long time coming. It was a long pre-season so to be able to put in on makes me feel very proud,’’ Brooks said.
“To receive my jersey off Cliff Lyons on Thursday night at the team dinner meant so much to me.
"Cliffy is a club legend. He obviously wore the number six jersey. If I could be half the player he was, then I’d be proud. Hopefully, I made him very proud tonight.
“Running out, I had goosebumps. What an experience it was to be able to play where the Super Bowl was.
“The first 10 minutes was that quick, I was blowing. It was a tough battle.”
Leading 12-10 at half-time, the Sea Eagles kept their composure after Souths scored two early second half tries to take an eight point lead before Manly finished over the top to record a comfortable win.
“(Saaby) getting that try on half-time really helped as we dropped a few over the tryline in the first half, including one from me,'' Brooks said.
"We didn’t have the best start to the second half. I threw a pass over the sidelines and they scored after that.
“Then Jakey forced an error, then Crokes got one, and then we got another try. When we had the ball, we always felt like we were on top and had them.
"To score a try was such a relief especially after dropping the ball the first time. The emotion just came out in me."
Brooks said he enjoyed playing his first game alongside experienced half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
"It was good. I was just able to play my game. Obviously we have got a lot to work on as a team and for myself as well,'' Brooks said.
"It's the start of the year. It's only one game so we are not getting carried away. We know it is a long season, so we will rest up now, have a week off, and then prepare for the Roosters at home."
Brooks said the victory topped off a great week for the Sea Eagles, who were the only club from the four teams involved to stay in Las Vegas for the entire time.
“Just the whole occasion was a once in a lifetime experience. The NRL Fan Fest was such an unreal experience. To top it off and get the win makes it even better,’’ Brooks added.
“There were so many Manly fans there tonight. They were so loud in one corner. We could here them all game.
“We really appreciate them coming all of the way to Vegas to support us. I can’t wait to play in front of our home crowd in two weeks time against the Roosters.”
