Keary retiring?

[Johnny Brass]

Sad if true but I can understand him not willing to risk playing on.
Once you lose your confidence in contact sports it's time to hang the boots up.
He has always shown enormous courage as RWB mentioned by standing up to Crowe and by taking the line on. By a strange twist of fate it probably worked out best for both clubs as we got keary and Cody Walker became their 5/8.
His performance in the 18 grand final was as good as it gets for a half in a decider.

[King Salvo]

If he does retire what’s the recruitment plan.

bare in mind Munster and Burton could not come till 2024

do we play 2023 with Manu at 5/8th ?

or Is there another half ?

I think Sandon Smith in the Bears is not ready, Lam ? or has that ship sailed ?

Walker and Suaalii are both able to field offers from November 1 2022 so one suggests they will need to be upgraded. - Tupou as well able to field offers from November 1 2022.

I like Sandon Smith - he's the type of half that Robbo likes - the organisimg type - Lam is off contract this season but could be an option for 5/8 if re-signed Pity they let the Volkster go as well.

Munster is able to field offers from November 1 2022 and Burton possibly as well as he has an option in his favour for 2024 at the Dogs- read some reports that he has told the Dogs he won't be taking up the third year option- Penrith are also interested in getting him back

https://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-lea...position-2022/

https://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-lea...position-2023/

[redwhiteblue]

Man what curse are we under with head injuries in the last 12 months. Cords, Friendy & possibly Keary. 3 legends I'll always respect forever for the joy they brought with B2B. Just not fair to not get the proper send off's they deserve.

That was the worst part. Losing co-captains at the same time roughly..I do work with one of Luke's school friends and asked a fortnight ago how he was going. They said they are waiting for the doctor give the final verdict. Plus he acknowledged that even when they were young, Luke was always the most unassuming fast runner..

[A Country Member]

An Easts great. He can do what he wants

[Rooster_6]

Bit over all the speculation to be honest.

If he is going to retire he will let us know in his own time, hopefully he’s not feeling any pressure to rush a decision and hope he’s feeling better.

[Thirteen]

If he’s contemplating retirement cause of the latest head knock, then surely the next head knock means definite retirement. We can’t afford to be relying on and paying a player top dollar, knowing that he’s one knock away from
retirement.

Deepest respect for Luke and lots of gratitude but it’s time to move on. Nobody is bigger than the club. I wish him well.

Now we go to market.

[Inflictor]

I appreciate it mate, & yes i hope it ain’t true as well but me personally i think if he’s not back for the dragons game then i think we can say goodbye for good.

I'm not expecting him back for the Dragons even if he does decide to play on based on Robbo's comments.

Hopefully a week or two after that.

I hope your mail is wrong Grubber but thanks for passing on what you hear.

[Inflictor]

If he’s contemplating retirement cause of the latest head knock, then surely the next head knock means definite retirement. We can’t afford to be relying on and paying a player top dollar, knowing that he’s one knock away from
retirement.

Deepest respect for Luke and lots of gratitude but it’s time to move on. Nobody is bigger than the club. I wish him well.

Now we go to market.

If he does retire this year there is not much available for next year.

We would have to look within for one year imo and then go all out for Munster of Burton for 2024. No guarantees there either.

[roosterchook]

Great player but I can see him retiring shortly. Somehow I don’t think it’s health related as much as a career decision outside footy. So many rooster players retiring on medical grounds has me very concerned. Is it the rule changes or they just aren’t enjoying their footy or our lack of a strong forward pack? I find it difficult buying the medical reason for so many players. That may be the official reason given but is it the real reason is the question?

[ChookMaster]

If he does retire this year there is not much available for next year.

We would have to look within for one year imo and then go all out for Munster of Burton for 2024. No guarantees there either.

Keep Manu at 6, Walker our 7 and re-sign long term before Wayne comes sniffing. The same as JS-he will be after a hefty new deal 700-800K worth im assuming and move him in centres.

[roostersrule2]

If Kez played this week it would have been 3.5 weeks since he last played, because he didn’t it’ll be 6 weeks since his last match if he plays against the dragons

I’d imagine that’s why Robbo rested him

[Random Rooster]

If Keary had ongoing issues after that collision with Manu then its a real worry- because it wasn't a massive collision. Im hoping he was fine and the club took the extra precautions because of his history.

Fact is in a game of league there's always going to be head knocks. If its a case of a player being " one head knock away from retirement" then that player should retire before that head knock happens. You're either 100% good to go....or you don't play.

Keary has at least 2-3 years of top line footy left in him if fit. However if there's any doubt in his mind about copping a hit to the head and the ramifications then do the right thing by yourself and your family and call it quits-lifes too short to take that risk

[milanja]

If he does retire this year there is not much available for next year.

We would have to look within for one year imo and then go all out for Munster of Burton for 2024. No guarantees there either.

Pearce
Blake Austin

[Spirit of 66]

Even before this latest knock, I thought Keary's on field demeanour had changed. He looked like he was no longer enjoying the game as much. Might have been the pressure, I suppose (my demeanour has changed too, especially after the Bulldogs loss).

[Eggspert]

Pearce
Blake Austin

Ha ha, Pearce! Love it. Imagine him, Rads & The Cheese out on the drink together. I'm sure Pearce would take young Suaalii & Walker under his wing.