Anthony Brooks joined the German-Bowl-bound Dresden Monarchs late – in July – after wrist surgery delayed his GFL homecoming.
Since then though, the 5’9″ receiver has averaged more catches per game than anyone else on the team outside of their star wideout, Derrell Stewart Jr.
When Brooks arrived in Dresden, the team was already well established as quarterback Kyle Carta-Samuels Jr. had led the team on an undefeated run since week two. Imports in European football are usually who you call on for explosive play, so when Brooks was asked as a receiver to simply ‘do his job’ he found solace:
“It has been a unique experience in that the team was well established by the time I arrived, it also made it simple for me! All I have had to do is my job and whatever the team needs, and watch the rest fall into place. They were and we have continued to be successful throughout the season and it’s been a great journey to be a part of!”
The 27-year-old is no stranger to European football and has plied his skill set in Finland with the Seinäjoki Crocodiles for two seasons and then the former GFL powerhouse, the Frankfurt Universe, before coming to Dresden. His precise route running and ability to find open spaces has made Brooks the perfect slot receiver in an offense that excelled in finding the open man – one of the best offenses that the GFL has seen in recent years.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play this game for a long time and with a multitude of different offenses in my career! Playing in this offense and with KJ has been amazing! He does a great job at keeping it simple and allowing us to do what we do best, he delivers the ball, he’s efficient and his favorite receiver is the open one! I don’t often like to compare and contrast because every unit and team is different but I’m very fortunate to be a part of this offense and continue on the journey we started!”
This weekend however, the Monarchs offense will surely have their biggest challenge of the year as they face up against arguably the best defense in the league. The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns have let in the fewest yards per game in the league and only 16 TDs in 12 games. Granted, they played in a conference with decidedly less firepower – the GFL South – but this is still the same team that beat the Swarco Raiders in the Central European League of Football (CEFL) just a few months ago with half of their imports on the bench due to CEFL import rules.
This is surely a match made in heaven. The number one offense and the number one defense battling it out for the German championship. A championship that has eluded Brooks for his entire European career. He will surely find added motivation in that fact.
Watch the German Bowl live on AFI.tv. Dresden Monarchs vs Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Oct. 9, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET).