NRL 2024: Luke Keary ruled out of grudge match with local rivals

Luke Keary was in good spirits at Roosters headquarters on Monday, but the champion playmaker won’t take on his former side after his latest head knock.

Roosters premiership hero Luke Keary will miss Friday’s blockbuster derby with South Sydney after the champion five-eighth was forced off late against Manly when his head collided with Tom Trbojevic’s knee.

The club confirmed on Monday that he will not be right to face his former side.

“Keary was taken from the field for a head injury assessment in the 76th minute of the match,” a statement read.

“He will undergo the NRL’s mandatory 11-day concussion stand-down.”

Keary has had a lengthy history with head knocks but was said to be OK following the game, with the playmaker rocking up to Roosters headquarters on Monday morning.

“I’ve definitely seen him have worse ones (head knocks),” skipper James Tedesco said.

“He came back on the bus and drove back with the boys, so he was good enough for that. We’ll just have to see. He’ll talk with the doc today because it’s a short turnaround, so we’ve got to take some caution there. I hope he’s all right.

“After it he seemed in good spirits and it definitely wasn’t as bad as some other ones he’s had previously.”

Thoughts with Luke Keary who is off for a HIA after a blow to the head left him motionless on the field.

Keary has a well documented history with concussion - at least 6 recorded in his career with multiple lengthy recoveries. Hope he’s OK pic.twitter.com/McZCNh9Hbh

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 17, 2024

Joseph Manu could shift to five-eighth with Billy Smith taking his spot in the centres, while Sandon Smith is another option in the halves.

While Keary is out, new recruit Dom Young is just relieved to have been able to play an NRL game for the Roosters following a couple of serious health scares in the pre-season.

The English giant missed the series against Tonga after a sinus infection spread to his brain and was then rushed to hospital in a neck brace in his first pre-season game for the Roosters after he was the victim of a crusher tackle.

“I spent a lot of time in hospital fighting this infection, so it was a pretty tough time because I was in hospital for a few weeks and was ruled out for England. It was nice to have my family there back home where I felt comfortable,” he said.

“Luckily, I feel good now and I’ve put that behind me, but it was a scare at the time. Because I was on such strong medication, I wasn’t really eating or aware of what was going on.

“I was drugged up for the day and hoping the pain would go away. It was lucky that it was off-season, so I had lots of time to build myself up.

“I got to the Roosters feeling good on the back of that and I wanted to hit the ground running. I thought I had a good pre-season and was building nicely, but that kind of ruined my plans.

“It happens in the sport and we know the risks that we face when we take the field, so I don’t have any resentment towards (Manly’s Toff Sipley).

“With it being your neck, you panic a little bit because you don’t want to be messing around with that body part. When you feel pain there, you know that it doesn’t quite feel right and how to process it.

“When I realised that it wasn’t anything too serious, it was a lot more relieving. I’m good now, and that’s the main thing.”