Sydney Roosters’ top NRL targets revealed: Luke Keary retirement bolsters huge war chest

Luke Keary’s retirement has bolstered the Sydney Roosters’ substantial cash reserves, with three priority targets emerging for Bondi club - but they won’t be chasing a replacement five-eighth.

Nat Butcher. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters will have a $4 million war chest to target the likes of representative stars Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs, while fighting off poachers for enforcer Spencer Leniu, following the shock retirement decision of Luke Keary.

As first revealed by this masthead, Keary has made the call to make 2024 his final season despite being contracted through until the end of 2025.

Keary’s exit will free-up an additional $800,000 on the Roosters salary cap, taking their 2025 cash cow to around $4 million with the 32-year-old joining Joey Manu (rugby), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (rugby), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (UK Super League), Angus Crichton (rugby) and likely Daniel Tupou on the list of players departing the club at the end of this season.

The three-time premiership-winner has made the earlier than expected decision to retire amid constant concerns over his playing future related to the number of concussions he has suffered during his 212 first-grade games.

“After 12 seasons and 27 years playing the game I love, I have decided this will be my last and that I will be retiring at the end of the year. It’s a decision I have thought long and hard about and I know it’s the right one for me and my family,” Keary said.

Luke Keary has endured a running battle with concussion.

“Rugby league has been a huge part of my life, and I’m proud of the career I’ve had.’’

Roosters coach Trent Robinson paid tribute to the brilliant playmaker by declaring Keary as one of the most courageous players he’s ever coached.

“Luke is our vice-captain and a man of high integrity who has always pushed beyond the limits of his physical capability,’’ Robinson said.

“He has pushed through pain and bled in our jersey to be the best teammate he can be.

“His fire and craft have made him one of the toughest players that I have coached.’’

The impending departure of Keary makes the re-signing of halves partner Sam Walker even more of a priority for the Bondi club.

Walker’s contract expires at the end of next season, and there is obvious interest from north of the border for the Queensland Origin-eligible halfback.

The Roosters are unlikely to go into the market for an expensive five-eighth to replace Keary.

They have huge confidence in Sandon Smith, a 21-year-old who has played 18 games for the Roosters in the last two seasons.

Plus they’ll be upgrading Walker and some other emerging youngsters.

The Roosters also need to ward-off rival interest in Leniu, who joined the club from Penrith on a two-year deal.

The powerful prop is a free agent from November 1.

Where the Roosters could make a play is in their outside backs by targeting Broncos stars Cobbo and Staggs.

Both are off-contract at the end of 2025.

Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo and Selwyn Cobbo are in the Roosters’ crosshairs. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Roosters bank balance will send a shiver down the spine of rival club recruitment bosses, knowing that the Sydney club will be a major player on the open market.

With the remainder of the 2024 season still to play, Keary will bow out as a genuine champion of the club.

He made his NRL debut for South Sydney in 2013 and was part of their drought-breaking 2014 premiership-winning side.

Keary then switched to bitter rivals the Roosters in 2017, where he partnered Cooper Cronk to back-to-back titles in 2018-19.

Keary’s announcement follows the immediate retirement of Cronulla forward Dale Finucane last week.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters’ top NRL targets revealed: Luke Keary retirement bolsters huge war chest