Series of hard knocks a game changer for Luke Keary
Luke Keary’s career was at the crossroads. The Sydney Roosters superstar reveals how he changed his tackling technique to get back to his best.
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Repeated concussions had Luke Keary pondering if he was more susceptible to headknocks. In a bid to try and minimise blows to the head Keary has taken a more cautious approach on the field and has revamped his tackling style.
While Keary never believed his career was in doubt there was an obvious concern when he sustained a severe concussion against Newcastle earlier this year. The knock robbed him of an Origin debut in what was his fourth concussion in 14 months, two this year and only five weeks apart.
“You don’t want to get knocked out again,” Keary said. “Everyone would have the same thought. “Once you’re in the heat of it, it was fine after a few weeks.
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“I was never worried about my career. It was difficult at the time with a chance to play for your state and miss that. It was difficult but it wasn’t the end of the world. There are a lot worse things happen.
“I wouldn’t say I struggled mentally or anything like that. It was different because you can’t see (the injury). We haven’t had too many cases of it. I’m not going to sulk about it. I’m back now. It didn’t finish me. I’ll be better for it.”
The knock against Newcastle was unavoidable. But Keary has taken extra precautions to try and minimise putting his head in a high risk situation including changing the way he tackles.
“You’re a little bit extra careful where you put your head,” Keary said.
“A few of the (concussions) were in my control. Where I was coming out of the line and try and hit someone or do something a bit stupid. You have to reel that back in a little bit. I’m not the biggest bloke. There are some you can’t control and there are some where technique is involved with tackle technique where you can control.
“(I’ve done a lot of) tackle technique. Which is just common sense. I would be stupid not to have a look at it and do the right thing.
“I do everything I can control and if it happens it happens.”
In a weird way it wasn’t until Keary copped a few glances to the head which helped settle any anxiety. He copped a knock in his third game back against Newcastle in and others against Gold Coast and Penrith had him feeling confident.
“You don’t want to get cut but it felt good,” Keary said. “They were some big head clashes and I didn’t feel a thing.
“You do sit here and think ‘am I vulnerable to do”. But the doctors were confident the hits I got weren’t taps. They would’ve knocked most people out.”
The Kangaroos five-eighth has returned to his best in recent weeks. He is the second favourite to become the first player to win back-to-back Clive Churchill Medals on Sunday.
“No season is going to be perfect,” Keary said. “If you’re waiting for it to be perfect, you’ll be waiting your whole career. When I was younger you look for that feeling and you want everyone to be fit and have the perfect year. It’s not true.
“You decide what you’re going to do as a group.”
LISTEN! In the season finale, Matty Johns is joined by James Hooper and Paul Kent to go over this Sunday’s grand final, plus how the build-up to the NRL’s biggest weekend can weigh on the favoured team (and how the Roosters are counteracting it!).
KEARY’S HEAD KNOCKS
2018
Jan Pre-season training concussion and broken jaw. Longstanding headaches from the incident. Missed round one.
Oct 13 Lasted just 13 minutes in his Test debut for Australia. Played the next week.
2019:
Apr 19 Knocked out against Melbourne. Didn’t play the next week.
May 24 Severe concussion against Newcastle. Missed five weeks.