WHEN Andrew Fifita runs out in a Cronulla jersey on Friday night, understand why the Wests Tigers need to make some tough decisions on the future.

As wonderful a player as Benji Marshall is, within weeks you are going to see why the Tigers must do everything to keep this kid.

The only reason Luke Brooks hasn't played first grade before now is because the Tigers face a similar salary cap problem that prevented Penrith from recently playing Matt Moylan in the top grade.

But in the coming weeks coach Mick Potter plans to go to the NRL and seek a special salary cap exemption so that Brooks can play with the big boys.

For any Tigers fans who hasn't seen him yet, get a copy of the recent under-20s game against Canberra and you will understand why he is being talked up as the next Andrew Johns.

With the Tigers trailing late in the game against the best side in the Holden Cup, Brooks produced a stunning and unexpected 40/20 kick from a 20m restart - and then scored the winning try with a powerful charge that was reminiscent of Johns at his scheming best.

While Brooks won't be in the top grade on Friday night, taking on the Tiger-Sharks should reinforce why it is crucial Brooks' deal is extended beyond the end of next season.

The Tigers simply can't afford to let him be the next Andrew Fifita and there is talk Brooks has already been offered a huge deal at another NRL club for 2015.

Potter has stated he wants Benji at the club next year to help mentor the club's next generation.

It is important to note Benji is signed until the end of 2015 and has been offered what it is understood to be a generous upgrade for that period.

Benji's manager is pushing for an extension to run until 2017 and there is now speculation he could be lost to Super Rugby next season to play with the Auckland Blues.

But while Blues coach John Kirwan said Benji might need to consider a pay cut to make the switch, his manager wants more money to stay at the Tigers - which in turn could put in jeopardy Brooks' future and that of promising five-eighth Mitchell Moses, who is also off-contract at the end of next year.

After a dreadful start to the year, the Tigers have done a tremendous job to get themselves back in finals contention with four wins from their past five games.

Despite their terrible run of injuries, Potter has blooded some exceptional young players like David Nofoaluma and Tim Simona, and Brooks will be the next.

Potter also deserves credit for the loyalty he has shown his players after it was revealed in The Sunday Telegraph that the real reason for Benji's benching back in round 10 was because he broke the club's strict no-alcohol policy while on the medical list.

Potter chose to keep that out of the media and as a result wore the brunt of the criticism after the Tigers were flogged 54-10 by Souths.

But that defeat proved a turning point in their season and it's no coincidence Benji's form has improved significantly since.

Adam Blair is another who has benefited directly because of Potter's support after the coach publicly backed him when everyone else wanted him sacked.

As Blair explained yesterday: "It gives you confidence when you have your coach out there sticking up for you."

Better than anyone, Blair understands the pressure Potter is under given the constant speculation about his future.

The experienced prop reckons Potter has proved he "has the balls" to make tough calls.

You just wonder at what point the people sharpening the knives to stick in Potter's back will give up on their agendas and start supporting a coach who has proved that his loyalty is to his players.