Lantrak Man of the Match: Round 21

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has been named the Lantrak Man of the Match from his side's Round 21 win over the Newcastle Knights on Friday night.

Needing to win to keep their finals hopes alive, Wests Tigers produced a great attacking performance in the opening hour of the game to lead the Knights 22-4 before holding their nerve to see out the win late on.

At the heart of that was Brooks, who threw the final pass for Russell Packer's opening try before scoring one himself just before half-time to put the visitors up by two converted tries.

Taking on the line with his sharp feet and deceptive running style, Brooks then produced a lovely late offload to send Robbie Farah over next to the posts to blow his side's lead out to 18 points.

Newcastle would come back in the contest, however, and Brooks was forced to stand tall on his line with a number of stirring tackles in defence proving crucial as his side clung to their slender lead.

In the end, it was the halfback's nerve that proved the difference with a clutch field goal from 20m out putting his side up by more than a converted try with time winding down in the Hunter.

With Benji Marshall injured for most of the match, Brooks drew high praise from Coach Ivan Cleary for both his game management in the second half but also his attacking decisions close to the line.

"Brooksy was really good," Cleary told reporters post-match.

"He ran the ball whenever he could, and whenever he did that, something good seemed to happen.

"That's his strength — he's had a really good season and he's progressing nicely.

"I thought he was key to our victory."