’Fingers crossed’: Fresh concussion fears for Luke Keary after latest knock

Roosters half Luke Keary’s latest head injury has renewed concerns for his career after the 30-year-old copped his teammate’s knee.

Let’s hope it’s not too bad for Luke Keary. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Sydney Roosters halfback Luke Keary has suffered yet another head knock in a chilling piece of friendly-fire.

Keary reeled out of a tackle and hit the knee of teammate Joey Manu late in the first half before leaving the field in his side’s 26-18 loss to the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.

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At halftime, Fox League’s Lara Pitt revealed he wouldn’t be back for the remainder of the game.

“He came from the field after copping friendly fire, Joey Manu’s knee hitting him in the back of the head and he looked to be in great discomfort after the head knock. He came from the field rubbing the back of his head,” Pitt said.

“This is of course a concern for the Roosters as Luke Keary suffered multiple head knocks over an 18-month period in 2018 and 2019. Two serious concussions in 2019 which ruled him out for an extended period.

“At the time the club took a very cautious approach with him.”

Obvious concerns for Luke Keary, off for a HIA after accidental knees to the head. Has a history of complex & prolonged concussion symptoms, but no documented concussions since 2019/20. Fingers crossed for him pic.twitter.com/Ux35lrtCMZ

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 11, 2022

Keary has a long history of concussions and was ruled out for six weeks in 2019 after copping a head knock on the eve of the State of Origin game one when right in contention for a start, missing selection for the entire series.

Keary had suffered five concussions in the 18 months before the 2019 incident.

The Roosters have also had both Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner retire in 2021 after suffering repeated concussions.

Luke Keary concussed. Roosters v Storm Round 14 NRL match at the SCG. Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

Although there are fears for Keary’s future, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said it was too soon to know if Keary would be facing another term on the sidelines.

“He’s obviously got a knock there,” Robinson said. “He was okay in the sheds but obviously enough not to go back on the field so not ideal.”

Roosters captain James Tedesco said it was hard to see Keary leave the field with the injury once again.

“I’ve seen Luke go through a bit of a hard time with that so there’s a bit of a worry when you see him go down and he’s not coming back on,” Tedesco said.

“Hopefully it’s not to the bad extent like it was last time.”

However, in a 2019 interview with Fox League’s League Life, Keary said that he hadn’t been worried about concussions in the past.

“It’s hard because I think during it other people have worried more than I have,” Keary said of the many knockouts throughout his career.

“It’s hard because they don’t go and see the neurologist and they don’t go and see the doctors, they don’t have all the information that I have.

“I’m very happy and very confident of what I’ve been told and where I’m at physically and mentally. I wouldn’t put myself — and I know my doctors and the club wouldn’t let me put myself — at risk.”

While it’s been a controversial move for some, Keary was outspoken in favour of the NRL’s revised concussion protocols this season which includes and independent doctor in the bunker advising when players need to go for a head injury assessment.