Keary to miss Souths showdown with latest concussion
Luke Keary is out of the Sydney Roosters’ match against South Sydney, but James Tedesco thinks the five-eighth’s most recent head injury wasn’t as bad as his prior setbacks.
It coincides with Penrith’s announcement that standout prop forward James Fisher-Harris has escaped shoulder structural injury, though it will be week-by-week.
During Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic’s pursuit of a kick late in the NRL match against the Sea Eagles on Sunday, Keary’s head collided with his knee.
Keary met with the club’s medical team on Monday, and the Roosters confirmed that he will not be able to play on Friday against the Souths, their bitter rivals, due to the NRL’s 11-day concussion stand-down rules.
Between January 2018 and May 2019, Keary sustained five concussions. Following another head injury, he missed about a month of the 2022 season.
However, Tedesco, who has experienced numerous concussions, claimed that Keary’s most recent blow was not as severe.
The captain of the Roosters stated, “He was good enough for that because he drove back with the boys and came back on the bus.”
“Hopefully, he’s doing well.
“After it he seemed in good spirits and it definitely wasn’t as bad as some other ones he’s had previously.”
Keary has a chance to pass concussion procedures in time to play Penrith, the defending premiers, on March 28, but he must be symptom-free in order to play.
The most likely choice to take Keary’s place in the first half against Souths is the young playmaker Sandon Smith, while Joey Manu might also switch from the centres.
Manu, who stood out in the Roosters’ round one victory against Brisbane, was unconcerned about the possibility of switching positions.”There are a lot of halves (options) there,” Manu said.
“I’ve played that before but I’ll just play wherever I’m needed. As long as I’m out there, I’ll try to do my job.”
Billy Smith would be the most logical replacement for Manu in the centres, having recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered ahead of round one.
Fisher-Harris left Friday night’s Panthers victory over Parramatta in the first half, so he is questionable for Thursday’s grand final rematch against Brisbane.
With “lost power” in his shoulder, coach Ivan Cleary declared that the talisman prop would not be allowed back on the field and would have to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines.
Although Fisher-Harris escaped serious injury, scans performed on Sunday will still keep an eye on him, according to medical personnel.
Moses Leota and Lindsay Smith will probably start together on Thursday night.
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