Matty Johns: Why Luke Keary should have been a Rabbitoh for life

Luke Keary is one of the toughest little blokes the game has ever seen – and he should have been a Rabbitoh for life, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Luke Keary art for Matt Johns

There’s been plenty as respected, but few more respected by his peers than Luke Keary.

He should’ve been a Rabbitoh for life, his traits as a person and player is exactly what South Sydney fans want in their heroes.

But the Rabbitohs’ loss was the Sydney Roosters’ immense gain.

The easy smile and boyish looks disguise a tenacious competitor who’s won titles as a lightweight in the heavyweight division.

Born and bred in Ipswich, Luke grew up idolising Allan Langer and they share plenty of similarities as footballers.

Both relentless in targeting big men in the centre of the field, attacking through a defence — not around it, a desire which guarantees a lot of bumps and bruises.

Courageous and impossible to discourage, Keary is Geoff Toovey tough.

Luke Keary is as tough as they come, says Matty Johns.

THE UNLIKELY FOOTBALLER

I first met Luke in 2012.

Then Souths coach Michael Maguire would bring his playmakers over for some ballplaying sessions and among all the recognisable faces was a slight fella who, I suspected, was the younger brother of one of the first graders. Or maybe even the ball boy who was brought over to fetch the Steedens during kicking drills.

If that wasn’t insulting enough for the next two sessions, I called him John, Luke finally correcting me on visit three.

The thing that struck me in those first sessions was Luke’s acceleration.

When playmaking, you had to slow him down significantly so the ball runners could keep pace.

His first-step quickness was extraordinary.

He debuted in 2013, with a handful of appearances giving a glimpse of what was soon to come.

Dylan Walker, Ben Te'o and Luke Keary with the 2014 premiership trophy. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

THE SETBACK

Set for a big 2014, disaster struck when he tore his pectoral muscle in the Auckland Nines. The belief was that his season was almost certainly over, he was understandably devastated.

I invited him to the house to watch a bit of tape and a stroll around the training field, discussing where he could improve his football on return.

As we left the house and headed toward the park, I was doing what I normally do, rambling incessantly.

Luke was being rather silent when I realised he was standing about 20 metres behind me, arm in a sling, head bowed.

Asking him if he was okay, he replied solemnly “ Matty, I’m terrified I’m not going to make it …”

Right then, regardless of his obvious talents, you knew he was going to be a great player based purely on attitude and desire.

Through that desire, Luke defied medical opinion, returned late in the season, won the No.6 jersey and played a big part in Souths’ first premiership win since 1971.

The Rabbitohs should’ve fought harder for Keary. Picture: AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay

RABBITOHS’ BIG BLUNDER

Keary left on principle, at the end of 2017, after a well-documented confrontation with some of the club’s most powerful figures.

Moving to the Roosters, he had immediate impact.

We all remember the week leading up to the 2018 grand final, with Cooper Cronk in serious doubt with a mystery injury, which turned out to be a broken scapula.

With the Melbourne Storm heavy favourites, the popular belief was that with no Cronk, the Roosters had no chance.

Keary disagreed.

Just days before grand final night, the Roosters gathered and were given the news that their halfback was almost certain to miss the match.

Silence fell over the group until Keary spoke up, “I don’t care if Cooper plays or not, we’re still gonna win this football game …”

Cronk took mild offence, until he realised the mood in the room had changed immediately.

Keary is beloved by his team-mates. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Cronk would take his place in the team, well kind of — he admits he could barely contribute — and it was left to Keary to carry the creative duties.

Luke delivered on his bold statement, leading the Roosters to victory and collecting the Clive Churchill Medal at full-time.

The following year he double downed, guiding the Roosters to back-to-back titles.

With three premierships to his name, Keary’s set his sights on a fourth in this final season.

If the Roosters can make last week’s performance the rule, rather than the exception, then they are in with the serious chance.

However, consistency is an issue they are wrestling with for the third season in a row.

Round 8 is a huge test as they travel to Brisbane to challenge the Broncos, who are flying.

Sam Walker’s Anzac Day performance was the best of his NRL career, they’ll need him to repeat that to beat the Broncs.

Keary now has three premierships to his name. Picture: Brett Costello

BUNNIES’ BOARD MUST WEAR FAILURE

If you’re gonna fail … fail fast.

From the very early rounds, you knew Jason Demetriou’s reign as South Sydney coach was doomed.

The Bunnies’ 48-6 loss to the Roosters should’ve been the catalyst for immediate change, but the decision-makers twiddled their thumbs, as confidence diminished and frustration grew.

In fact, it was time for change at the conclusion of last season’s collapse.

The board’s unwillingness to make a tough decision has almost certainly cost Souths their season.

Originally published as Matty Johns: Why Luke Keary should have been a Rabbitoh for life