Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary will be nervously waiting on the NRL charge sheet on Sunday hoping to be cleared to play in the grand final.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson believes if the NRL match review committee is consistent, then Luke Keary will play in next Sunday’s grand final.
Keary will nervously be waiting for whether he has a case to answer for a high tackle in Saturday’s eight-point preliminary final victory over Melbourne.
Keary wasn’t put on report, however the MRC is certain to look at a second-half shot from Keary that knocked out Storm forward Felise Kaufusi for the night.
Replays showed Keary coming up a swinging arm that hit Kaufusi in the jaw, however Robinson is adamant his five-eighth has no reason to be concerned.
“If it’s consistent, it’d be pretty certain he’d be playing that’s week, that’s for sure,” Robinson said after his team’s win over the Storm.
The incident came moments after a fierce Kaufusi fend to Keary’s face, and the Roosters No.6 retaliated by pulling a chunk of the forward’s hair.
Keary then had a second crack at Kaufusi, making contact with his face.
A heavy charge would have serious ramifications for Keary and the Roosters, who will advance to a grand final against Canberra with a victory over the Storm.
A grade-one careless charge would result in a fine, while a grade-two would attract 150 points and could rub him out of the grand final.
A grade-one reckless high tackle is 300 points.
“I actually feel really bad. I didn’t mean to knock him out or anything like that. I hope he’s okay. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I hope he’s okay,” Keary said.
“I haven’t thought about consequences, but I just hope he’s okay.”
Asked about the hair-pull, Keary said: ‘I think I was just trying to grab him. I don’t really want to joke about it until he’s healthy. But yeah, it is what it is.”
Keary was a strong contributor in the Roosters advancing to a second straight grand final, including putting up a bomb that resulted in the opening try.
The former Kangaroos star’s preparations for the game were hampered by a foot injury he picked up in their qualifying final win over South Sydney.
He aggravated it again against Melbourne, however the 27-year-old is confident of taking the field against the Raiders.
“We knew I was always going to play. We just knew we had to manage it in a certain way,” Keary said of his preparation.
“And I knew the Thursday session I wasn’t going to do.
“I was just going to do some stuff on my own, which was just to keep the swelling down. Friday, did everything. It was a little bit sore out there, but nothing too bad.
“I’ll probably manage it a little bit at the start of the week. It pulled up pretty good so I should be fine to train most of the days.”
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Jarryd, I've made almost the exact same post to this *twice* now and its been modded out both times. What's your secret?
John
Guest
The only consistency that the MRC and judiciary seems to have, is its propensity to consistently bewilder fans and pundits of the game. In that regard I can see how Robinson thought Keary should be alright to play based on the consistency of the system.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Not talking about the refs,they do a good job overall.the comments about the MRC n Judiciary.Good to hear Beutner has stood down .
mushi
Roar Guru
Same I thought he had to be gone for that. I do feel that the MRC does give some elimination/grand finals loading to the charges which given the constant barrage from their media "partner" is disappointing rather than surprising
mushi
Roar Guru
To be fair at that point he either had to whack Kafusi in the head or rip his arm back to dislodge his hand from the fro. But then he definitively shouldn't have done both!
mushi
Roar Guru
As a spectator it didn't feel like the HIA was used, ahem "in the spirit", on the weekend in both matches. Though I did love that they went through the HIA for Aubusson. I would have thought his lean to the side like a kid's billy cart after one front wheel comes off would have been sufficient evidence
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Rupert makes some very good points that you can't refute so you say look over there at Papalii and leave my hair pulling mate alone. Does the Easts owner control or choose the review committee? It's an awful look for the game.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
There was another player making the tackle providing most of the force. Keary is a cat who pulls opponent's hair and is lucky to be playing. Keary is a Souths junior isn't he?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Keary does everything he can in a short period to earn a suspension and what do they do? Nothing really. Trent Robinson has been doing a great job all season to downplay or angrily defend dangerous play from his players and the NRL have largely played along with him. What's happening up in the bunker when replays show Keary pulling the hair out of an opponents head and then deliberately wacking him in the same head shortly after? Both of these things will be OK in the GF , no risk of a sin bin? Gee That's a great idea.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He was palmed backwards a number of steps, and responded with two cheap shots once Kaufusi was held by two others . Probably would make an ideal 10 for the Wallabies with that form .
Muzz
Guest
He should be knighted for taking the p iss out of Crowe
Pickett
Guest
They may be a joke, but having just watched the refereeing and TMOing of the Ballet World Cup in Japan, I'll stick with our lot any day, imperfect as they are.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Soon as I heard Papali got off I knew Keary would get a lettuce leaf slap. Joke! At least Kaufusi can compare notes with Moylan re the Samie fiasco. NRL Judicary is a blight on the game.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I think you'd be pretty safe theses days Con - the way Sydney Trains are run ,probably get a snooze in then back up on the platform before any harm done
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Keary and Papalli should buy Sam Burgess a beer. His public comments last week must have had an impact. If that was a competition game, Keary would get 2 weeks and Papalli one - based on earlier rulings.
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Big face palm, got dirty and reckless, swinging arm. Not surprisingly cited as 'careless' so not suspended. Storm obligingly took the opportunity for a free HIA replacement because Kaufusi's ribs were busted anyways. Won't matter- Keary has hardly been lighting it up and his ankle is a liability going into such a testing game. Would be a shame for him to go down in the first 5 minutes of the GF, some would call it karma.
Pickett
Guest
So what do you make of Papalli's hit?
Rupert
Roar Rookie
If Keary got off, it was a political decision. That was a serious dangerous hit with real force. And the swinging arm to the neck/jaw seemed pre-mediated rather than accidental. The Review Committee penal system is supposed to be objective. If the Committee gives a no penalty or a Grade One penalty I think the Committee has been subjective so as to not affect the G.F. A forceful hit to the neck area and carotid nerve etc. can affect blood flow to the brain possibly leading to a stroke. Many years ago a great Australian soccer player took a karate hit to the neck from a disgruntled Urugayan defender. He never played another game of football.
Gold Coast Bunny
Roar Rookie
Glad he had no case to answer Dutski. I think he got him on the chin but in reality I don’t think it would have knocked the skin of a custard. I actually think Kaufusi had hurt himself earlier and was struggling and they “cleverly” used that as a HIA to make a replacement. Still like Keary as a player.
Pickett
Guest
Or Josh Papalli's shoulder charge hit on your full back's chin? So much force his mouthguard flew out and he was in gaga land.