Luke Brooks is set to leave Wests Tigers with his teammates' blessing and their understanding that a fresh start could do the beleaguered playmaker a world of good.
Without a deal beyond 2023, 28-year-old Brooks knocked back the Tigers' proposed contract extension over the weekend, though the club remains hopeful he could be tempted by a revised offer.
As it stands, the mooted switch means the joint venture's fifth-most capped player will not be at the club to usher in a new era under Benji Marshall from 2025.
It also leaves the Tigers in desperate need of a playmaker for next season, with Adam Doueihi expected to miss the majority of 2024 through injury and back-up half Brandon Wakeham uncontracted beyond this year.
But Brooks' fellow Tigers insist they will be supportive of him if he signs elsewhere.
"That's business," said second-rower Isaiah Papali'i.
"He's got his own things to look after and that's making a decision to reject the offer and go somewhere else. I can't really hold him back. I'm supportive of him either way."
Brooks played halfback in Alex Twal's NRL debut in 2017 and the prop had been hoping he would remain on the roster beyond 2023.
"I'd love to continue to play with him," Twal said.
"At the end of the day, he'll do what's best for his family. As a friend, first and foremost, we'll just back him with whatever decision he makes."
The move is set to end an 11-year stint at the Tigers that has left Brooks on the receiving end of repeated criticism from fans and the media.
The Tigers have not finished in the top eight in any season of Brooks' career, making the halfback the most-capped active NRL player without a finals appearance.
There has long been speculation a change of scenery could allow Brooks, the 2018 Dally M Halfback of the Year, to fulfil his potential.
Tigers centre Starford To'a conceded the outside noise could have contributed to Brooks' desire to move.
"For the year-and-half I've been here, that's all you see sometimes," he said.
"It's hard on the player. You understand why someone like that doesn't have social media."
Brooks attracted interest from Newcastle last season, while Canberra also has the wherewithal to sign an established playmaker as they prepare to farewell five-eighth Jack Wighton at season's end.
Uncertainty around Ben Hunt's future at St George Illawarra could also put the Dragons in the market for a new halfback when their new coach takes the reins.
Brooks appears unlikely to relocate his young family to the English Super League.
