How Keary almost ended up on other side of Anzac Day clash
Luke Keary rates the annual Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and Dragons as “the biggest club game of the year”, but he almost found himself on the other side of it.
Keary will line up in his first Anzac Day clash since 2018 after injuries and COVID-19 conspired against his participation the previous three seasons. He will do so for a Roosters side aiming for its fourth straight victory after a slow start to the season.
However, the former Rabbitoh was almost tempted to join Monday’s opponents, St George Illawarra, when his stint at Redfern came to an end. Keary met with then-Dragons coach Paul McGregor at his home and gave serious consideration to a lucrative contract offered by the joint-venture club.
Despite their interest and that of Melbourne, he signed with the Tricolours and the Dragons turned their attention to Ben Hunt.
“Mary [McGregor] was obviously coaching. The Dragons, Melbourne and this lot [the Roosters] came along,” Keary recalled on Tuesday.
“I don’t know how close [I came]. He was impressive, Mary. At the time he was building them towards something and I remember that everything he told me in 2016, they came out and did it in 2017.
“They had a super-strong start to the year, and they got very close. I think [Adam] Reynolds kicked three field goals in that semi-final [in 2018] and knocked them out.
Luke Keary is looking forward to the Anzac Day clash.Credit:Getty
“Rylesy [Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles] is good mates with him and I always say how impressive he was. I went over to his house, he’s a good bloke, but it didn’t eventuate.”
History will show Keary’s decision to join the Roosters was a prudent one. The halfback has added two premierships since shifting to Bondi Junction to go with the one he earned at South Sydney, while also becoming a NSW and Australian representative. The move has also given him the chance to be part of one of the biggest occasions on the rugby league calendar.
“It’s special to play just a small role in such a memorable occasion for the country,” Keary said of the Anzac Day fixture. “We get to play a small part on Monday.
“It would be the biggest club game of the year, quite easily I reckon. It’s a different atmosphere, it’s just got a different aura about it being Anzac Day.
“There’s that sense of remembering our past and remembering the soldiers, when the semis are just all about footy. This isn’t about footy, this is about Australia and New Zealand and what we went through as countries.”
Keary’ said his combination with young halves partner Sam Walker would continue to develop the longer they play together.
“I haven’t played with any halves that have his ability,” Keary said. “I was only young when [Johnathan] Thurston came to the Dogs, they are very similar type of players as well. They both like to get their hands on the ball up in front of the line.
“I haven’t played with a half with the skill set he’s got, and the talent. He’s grown up with his dad and his uncles who coach that Ipswich team who play that different style of football. He’s grown up in that environment where he’s allowed to express himself and play free-flowing football.
“He’s probably been in training with those Ipswich boys who see the philosophy of football that his dad has instilled. The philosophy he goes in with is definitely rare.”
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