Luke Brooks has declared he is ready to take sole control of the Wests Tigers.
Brooks on Saturday will return from injury in his first NRL match since the departure of childhood teammate Mitchell Moses to Parramatta.
And the Tigers' halfback welcomes the extra responsibility.
"It's my team now. I gotta take full control of the side," Brooks said on Wednesday.
"It's an exciting challenge for me."
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Even following Moses' drawn-out exit, the pair and fullback James Tedesco remain housemates after moving in together earlier this year.
"Obviously, we don't get our training gear mixed up now, so that's pretty good. But it's still the same.
"It'll be interesting when we play them in a couple of weeks," Brooks said.
Still to deliver on the potential that had him earmarked as a future State of Origin player since his 2014 debut, Brooks denied the extra responsibilities would bring more pressure.
He also faces the task of lifting the 15th-placed Tigers out of their five-game losing streak.
"I think it's part of your job to be a halfback. You've got to really own the team. Now, I'm going to have to do it moreso without Mitch. I'm excited for it," he said.
This week's encounter against Cronulla will also be the first time Brooks partners Tuimoala Lolohea in the halves since the Kiwi's arrival two weeks ago.
Brooks admitted it would take time for their combination to gel on the field. Lolohea is considered the club's long-term fullback.
"He plays his best footy when he's taking on the line, because he's got good footwork and got good skills as well. Hopefully we can bring that out this week."
