Luke Keary is an outside chance of playing for the Sydney Roosters on Sunday after scans failed to confirm a broken jaw.
There were fears Keary had broken his jaw during Saturday’s 18-16 win over the Knights, with dressing-room footage showing the concerned playmaker clutching the left side of his swollen face.
Club officials confirmed Keary would have a second set of scans on Monday to get a definitive answer.
If cleared of a break, Keary could line up against Canberra on Sunday.
In a double dose of potential good news for the Roosters, centre Billy Smith confirmed he would remain at Bondi for at least one more season.
Smith has been a standout since his return from an ACL injury – his third serious knee blow – but told this masthead the club had signed him for the 2023 season.
Luke Keary’s initial scans failed to confirm a broken jaw.Credit: Getty Images
The former schoolboy rugby prodigy wants to build on his form, hopefully with Keary cleared to join him on the right edge.
“He’s so important to us, he’s not only a great player but a leader at our club, so fingers crossed it’s good news for him [with the scans],” Smith said on Monday morning.
“I looked at his face after the game and it was pretty swollen. If he’s out, it will be next man up.
“I debuted next to ‘Kez’, I’ve always loved playing outside him, and whenever he gets his hands on the ball, I push up outside him because he can create anything. I’m looking forward to building on that momentum.”
Luke Keary comes from the field after being caught by the boot of Dominic Young.Credit: NRL Photos
As for nailing down another one-year extension, Smith said: “They locked me in just before I came back [in May]. It’s just for next year. The club have been awesome to me.
“For them to say we want you for another year, before playing a game of footy, was pretty crazy for me.
One more year: Billy Smith will remain at the Roosters in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
“I didn’t expect it, but it goes to show the love and loyalty they have, and I’ll look to repay that faith over the next 18 months.
“I’ve always backed myself as a player, but I’m not where I want to be as a player – I want to find that good consistent form, and that comes with time.”
The Roosters’ win in the Hunter puts them just outside the top eight on points differential, but their cavalry continue to return.
Victor Radley is back from suspension for the Raiders clash, while Joseph Suaalii, who was a late scratching from media commitments on Monday, returns the following week from his own three-match ban.
Joey Manu, who is a halves option along with Drew Hutchison and Sandon Smith should Keary play against Canberra, was excellent at fullback against the Knights.
It prompted fresh debate about whether the Roosters should play Manu in the No.1 role and James Tedesco in the No.6. Smith, who is good friends with Tedesco, said: “Teddy has been the best fullback in the world for a long, long time. Joey is a world-class centre or five-eighth or wherever you put him, but Teddy is captain of the club and still one of the game’s greatest players.”
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