Kezza & Cheese

[Mickie Lane]

I don't believe we can win a comp with Walker & Keary in the halves. Just my opinion but not sure how i feel about Keary playing on

I agree.

[mattyh]

I hope keary retires at the end of 2024, cheese can stay , I like him and his season wasn't as bad as some on here make-up.

[Bates]

My mail is that you don't even have a postal address.

Is that meant to be funny?

[MKCS]

Interesting one here, I'd probably only take Keary on low money as a back up later on in his career which probably wouldn't happen because some NRL clubs and Super League would want him on bigger money. Lot of halves options available for 2025.

I'd take Tom Dearden, Adam Douhei, Jarome Luai, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and our very own Sandon Smith over a 33 year old Luke Keary.

[milanja]

Interesting one here, I'd probably only take Keary on low money as a back up later on in his career which probably wouldn't happen because some NRL clubs and Super League would want him on bigger money. Lot of halves options available for 2025.

I'd take Tom Dearden, Adam Douhei, Jarome Luai, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and our very own Sandon Smith over a 33 year old Luke Keary.

An already injury prone Reynolds who would be 35 in 2025?

[Roosterfarian]

I’d like to see Sandon Smith push for a starting halves position next year. If he falls flat then we keep him as a utility and look for a gun halve to partner Walker in 2025.

[Judge Smails]

Interesting one here, I'd probably only take Keary on low money as a back up later on in his career which probably wouldn't happen because some NRL clubs and Super League would want him on bigger money. Lot of halves options available for 2025.

I'd take Tom Dearden, Adam Douhei, Jarome Luai, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and our very own Sandon Smith over a 33 year old Luke Keary.

Adam Douhei??

He has had 2 ACL’s on the same knee in consecutive years .. Busted!

[Bates]

Interesting one here, I'd probably only take Keary on low money as a back up later on in his career which probably wouldn't happen because some NRL clubs and Super League would want him on bigger money. Lot of halves options available for 2025.

I'd take Tom Dearden, Adam Douhei, Jarome Luai, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and our very own Sandon Smith over a 33 year old Luke Keary.

Sandon will be our five eighth Imo. The kid will develop into a super star! I think his temperament trumps Sam Walker's. With that said Mam is a special talent. Dearden could do the job. I don't rate Doueihi and Reynolds failed dismally to protect a big lead in the 2023 grand final and isn't getting any younger.

[Rooster_6]

Luke Keary has never really gone on to develop into the organiser and game manager that would see him continue to excel as the rest of his physical attributes continue to deteriorate in the back end of his career.

If we have committed to Sammy Walker being our primary organising halfback we really need our 1 and 6 to be helping out more with creating points and both struggled to do so this year and neither are getting younger.

This one has me worried. I would be waiting to see how the first half of the season plays out first before making a call on Keary.

[Waylander]

I reckon Kez was still a bit gun-shy through (at least) the first half of the season. Copping that many head knocks, and watching what the same had done to Cords, cannot of been easy to play through. At the back end of the season, he was starting to look like his old self again, engaging the line more and running those short side plays he excels at. If he and Walker both stay healthy, I think they will surprise a lot of people next season & the Pen won't be so quick to write off their combo or Kez for 2025.

[HunchoRooster]

Kez is done. His story is written. He has won 3 comps and done it all in the game. A bonafide legend. He will never be an elite half again. He needs to go for the sake of the future of the club at the end of 2024. Walker is the future, Sandon Smith also. I would rather try with Sandon and Sam in 2025 and dismally fail then lose either of the two of them and have a half-decent 2025 with an ageing Keary. The difference between the elite mid 30's halves and Kez is that they are/were organisers who had very solid defensive games with a primary focus on kick pressure and organising. Kez has never been good in those areas and is a runner/instinct player first and foremost. A damn good one aswell.

Would suck to see him play for another club but if he wants to continue past 2024 I'd be willing to see it because it shouldn't be with us! The fact he is a legend and such a likeable bloke yet 95% of the fanbase agrees with me shows that he needs to go.

[HunchoRooster]

As for Brandon Smith, I've always said he is a player you would rather have in your team than play against. Even if he isn't an elite hooker, he would still get into every 17 in the comp and improve it. That includes the Penriff 17. Likely only as a 14 but still.

I think the only reason he was criticised is because he is on big money and has a big profile. His performances last year were fine when he was at his worst and excellent when he was at his best.

[Steggles]

Kez is done. His story is written. He has won 3 comps and done it all in the game. A bonafide legend. He will never be an elite half again. He needs to go for the sake of the future of the club at the end of 2024. Walker is the future, Sandon Smith also. I would rather try with Sandon and Sam in 2025 and dismally fail then lose either of the two of them and have a half-decent 2025 with an ageing Keary. The difference between the elite mid 30's halves and Kez is that they are/were organisers who had very solid defensive games with a primary focus on kick pressure and organising. Kez has never been good in those areas and is a runner/instinct player first and foremost. A damn good one aswell.

Would suck to see him play for another club but if he wants to continue past 2024 I'd be willing to see it because it shouldn't be with us! The fact he is a legend and such a likeable bloke yet 95% of the fanbase agrees with me shows that he needs to go.

I tend to agree with your thoughts on Keary. I don’t think we can threaten the top teams in 2024 or beyond with Luke in the team. His inability to shift to become that organiser in his 30’s really limits his longevity in the game. Unfortunately the skills that made Luke great are usually the first to go when a player ages.

[The Brain]

Do not hold bacl Smith the half ..they are turning him into a utility player I am certain he is a great half in the making dont ruin the kid and send him into Daniel Mortimer folklore.

[Steggles]

Do not hold bacl Smith the half ..they are turning him into a utility player I am certain he is a great half in the making dont ruin the kid and send him into Daniel Mortimer folklore.

Agree with that. I actually see Sandon as the long-term 7 with Walker as Keary’s replacement at 6.