The Sydney Roosters defeating their bitter rivals South Sydney to keep their finals hopes alive was only the second-best thing to happen to Luke Keary this week.
Keary’s brilliant performance against the Rabbitohs on Friday night came only 24 hours after his wife, Amy, gave birth to their third son, Riley.
The in-form playmaker could not have asked for a better Father’s Day gift – now he hopes the Roosters can keep delivering for their own fans the next month.
Momentum and individual star power are the key reasons the Tricolours are confident they can keep their late surge going through September.
Keary, 31, has been exceptional during the second half of the season, but admitted his preparation against Souths was far from perfect.
He also happily conceded the win over Souths took a back seat to the arrival of his latest bundle of joy.
Luke Keary was excellent for the Roosters, despite feeling weary after witnessing the birth of his third son.Credit: Getty Images
“That win was just a small blip,” a laughing Keary told this masthead, before he yawned. “Thursday was a wild one, but once the baby arrived, I knew how important the game was, we’d been building up to it, and I tried to get my mind back on to Souths.
“In the sheds I could feel the boys were on. It was a pretty good feeling. Riley arrived on Thursday afternoon. I stayed in hospital Thursday night, and missed the captain’s run. I was a little bit tired, but I was fine.”
Luke Keary’s new baby son, Riley.
Only a few months ago, there was speculation Keary might retire at the end of the year, especially with the Roosters looking all but certain of missing the finals, but he has been a standout for the club since they went on their five-match winning run. His combination with Sam Walker, who only returned from a knee injury two weeks ago, has been equally impressive.
“Nobody will be able to tell you the answer [why things have turned], but you can put it down to hard work, things start clicking, and boys start getting into form,” Keary said.
“You need your best players playing well. Teddy has been really good the last couple of months. Siua Wong has come on, ‘Rads’ [Victor Radley], Terrell May and Fletcher Baker … a lot of those young guys have given us a heap of energy.
“Everyone knew we had the talent, we just needed to believe in ourselves a bit and get the confidence. We’re still not there yet, but if we play the way we want to play, you’d like to think we can match it with all those top teams.”
Walker said of Keary: “He’s been awesome, he’s playing unbelievable footy at the moment. Any time there’s a big moment, he’s all over it. He’s a big-game player, and that’s why he’s been at the top of the game for such a long time.”
Centre Billy Smith scored a try in the second half and accidentally launched the ball into an unsuspecting security guard while celebrating.
Luke Keary with his partner Amy and sons Hudson (left) and Brodie.Credit: NRL Photos, supplied
“I didn’t know it at the time, but I’ll have to apologise to him at some point,” Smith said.
As for Keary, Smith said: “‘Kez’ is like a fine wine, the older he gets, the better he gets. He’s in career-best form at the minute, and I love playing outside him.
“Our roster speaks for itself, across the park we have so many talented players, and once you’re in the finals – if we get there – it’s anyone’s game.”
Winger Daniel Tupou was ruled out before the Souths game, but was spotted with his left knee in a brace in the Accor Stadium dressing rooms, and is no chance of returning next weekend.
Manu hopeful of return
Joey Manu is pushing to return from a hamstring injury next week in what will be his first finals game in three years.
Manu admitted he never came close to playing against Souths, and struggled to stretch out with his first attempt.
“I felt pretty good, but I couldn’t get into a sprint,” Manu told this masthead. “I thought I was pretty good, but once I went for that first run, I couldn’t.
“I’m hoping to play next week, that’s the plan. I’ve got to take it day by day. I’ll try to get back to being close to 100 per cent. If I can get back to around 80 per cent, I’ll be happy. I’m just happy they won that. We have to wait on a few results. I haven’t played finals in a while.”
Manu suffered a calf strain and missed the elimination final against Souths last year, and the year before he missed the final rounds with facial fractures following the much-hyped Latrell Mitchell hit.
Coach Trent Robinson said of Manu after Friday’s win: “He will be named Tuesday, and I’m confident he will get back there by the end of the week.”
What will help Manu is the Roosters are unlikely to feature until next Saturday, and possibly Sunday, which would be 15 days since he was injured against the Wests Tigers. Corey Allan started at right centre against Souths.
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