Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary wins 2018 Clive Churchill Medal
AFTER effectively doing the job of two men, Luke Keary has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal for his inspirational performance in the Sydney Roosters’ 21-6 NRL grand final win.
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LUKE Keary won the Clive Churchill medal on Sunday night.
But not last night.
No, the gritty Roosters No.6 won it a week ago.
Coach Trent Robinson explaining how from the moment Keary was told he may be playing without halfback Cooper Cronk -- and effectively taking over from the $1 million playmaker signed to win club a title -- he was “like a man possessed”.
Keary having no doubts about how he was going to run the attack. Run the team.
There was no panic.
No second guessing.
Keary was, as he would say later, not going to shit himself because somebody got injured.
“So,” Robinson said, “he won that medal sometime last Sunday night”.
Cronk agreed, before adding: “Luke played the game of his life tonight”.
And as for what the man himself thought about it being his greatest ever performance?
“Dunno,” Keary grinned, Clive Churchill medal hung around his neck. “It’s a pretty big statement.
“I’d have to go back and re-watch it.”
Certainly we would recommend rewatching that beautiful long ball he threw to winger Daniel Tupou for the opening try.
Outstanding.
Indeed, while Cronk was the story, the Roosters were, as Storm skipper Cameron Smith put it, “effectively playing with only 12 men”.
Enter Keary.
Essentially playing both halfback and five-eighth, as well as both sides of the field, the footballer who also won a premiership with South Sydney in 2014 -- before his famed falling out with owner Russell Crowe -- was everywhere and in everything.
As Cronk put it: “He didn’t hesitate. He saw something and he went for it.”
And as for how this second premiership compared to his first with the Rabbitohs?
“It’s special,” Keary said. “Really special
“To see blokes like Nick (Politis), the board, our staff... this one is really really special. I’m stoked for everyone in this team. I’m so happy for everyone in the dressing room.”
And as for his attitude when learning Cronk could be out?
“We’d worked so hard to get here,” he shrugged. “So I said -- and excuse my language -- you don’t shit yourself because one bloke gets hurt.
“I knew if Cooper wasn’t there what I had to do. And I knew if he was there what I had to do.”
Elsewhere, Robinson also heaped praise on hooker and co-captain Jake Friend, whose strong performance included 38 tackles -- the most of any Roosters player.
“He’s been maligned this year. I cant believe the talk there’s been about him,” Robinson said. “He’s got the biggest heart.”