Luke Brooks concedes he was below his best before being dropped to the Wests Tigers’ NRL bench but has looked to Benji Marshall for inspiration on how to rebound.

The 25-year-old Brooks suffered the first demotion of his career last month, sent back to the bench after having never warmed it in juniors, under-20s or first grade.

Coach Michael Maguire insisted it can be the catalyst Brooks needs to turn a corner and fulfil the potential that has for so long surrounded him.

“I’m not too sure (if I needed a wake-up call),” Brooks said.

“I probably wasn’t happy with how I was playing.

“It’s a good chance for me to look at my game and see what I can do to improve my game and get back in the starting side.

“(I need) a bit more consistency and just the building that game plan and pressure and stuff like that.”

Defence is also a big issue, with the halfback having missed nine tackles in the week before he was dropped.

Brooks could, however, return to the starting side as soon as this week, with Maguire having already shown his patience is thin with the Tigers’ bumpy form.

Brooks, Marshall and Josh Reynolds have all been dropped out of the halves at times this year, before Marshall was recalled in place of Brooks three weeks ago.

Billy Walters began the year at hooker before being replaced by the incoming Harry Grant and forced to claw his way back into the team alongside Marshall.

“I’m not the first person to be dropped and I won’t be the last,” Brooks said.

“I’m still playing, so just got to do my bit when I get on the field.

“It is hard, especially for a half to come in with limited opportunities you get with 20 minutes to go.

“But it’s what it is, I’ve just got to do something when I’m out there.

“If you look at when Benji got dropped and he got back in the side.

“You can take a bit from how he handled himself as well.”