Luke Keary hasn't taken the field on Anzac Day for nearly four years, but the mercurial halfback is determined to add some spark in the Bondi Blue and get the Roosters' attack humming on Monday afternoon.
The last time Keary featured in an ANZAC Day match against the Dragons was in 2018 when the Tricolours were pipped at the death - and the no.7 is eager more than ever to pull on the Club's Wartime Jersey for the first time.
Keary: "We're Playing Some Tough Footy at the Moment"
Keary also was wary of their opponents - who will no doubt be buoyed by their last-minute victory against Newcastle in Round 6 - and predicted a tough contest between the two traditional rivals.
“I didn’t get to see much of their game, I just saw little bits and they were really impressive on the weekend,” Keary stated.
“That forward pack will be aggressive. Obviously it’s ANZAC Day and I think form and things like that kind of go out the window.
“They’re always tough with Tariq (Sims) and blokes like that. They like to put a bit of pressure on you and we’re expecting a tough game.
“I haven’t played an ANZAC game since 2018 when they beat us. It’s exciting.
“It’s a special week for everyone in Australia. To be able to play a small part in that it’s a special game and I can’t wait to get out there on Monday.
“This week will give us a chance to reflect on it. Robbo (Trent Robinson) always does it really well, he gives us a history lesson on it all and we get to pay our respects."
Despite the Roosters scoring over 20 points in their last three weeks, Keary was candid when asked about the side's slow starts to matches - and cited a need to improve both in attack and discipline.
While he was content with the defensive prowess to start the year, according to the steely playmaker, improvement is needed with the ball in hand in order for the Roosters to solidify themselves as one of the top teams in the competition.
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“We’re just playing some tough footy at the moment,” Keary said.
“We’ve set up our year defensively pretty well. It’s been pretty solid and then the attack – well the attack it’s no secret we’re clunky and we’re not where we want to be but we’ve been working really hard at training.
“We put a lot of time and focus on our defence and the transitional parts in the off-season.
“The way that the game is going you need to score points, especially against those top four teams. You need to be able to score points and score them pretty quick.
“I don’t think we’ve started badly. Brisbane came out really strong against us, we competed well with them and they kind of beat us at that game.
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“The Warriors were the same on the weekend. We were a bit ill-disciplined at the start and they ended up getting over us.
“We haven’t been awful to start, but we haven’t been great either."
Keary will be aided by two Sams in the quest to score points and get the attack flowing in the form of Sam Verrills and Sam Walker.
Last week's victory over the Warriors was the first time the halfback and hooker had taken the field together in two years, with Keary looking forward to reforming their combination that helped the Club claim the 2019 Premiership.
The 30-year-old also touched on Walker's ever-improving form, and harkened back to his Ashton-Collier Medal performance in last year's ANZAC Day fixture.
It’s a special week for everyone in Australia. To be able to play a small part in that it’s a special game and I can’t wait to get out there on Monday.
Luke Keary On playing in the Anzac Day clash
“It was really good,” he said of playing alongside Verrills last Sunday.
“I think it was 2020 when he hurt his knee so we haven’t played since then. It’s great having him back.
“His service there is really clean and he’s probably one of the better no.9s who pass the ball. I’m looking forward to getting back with him for the next few months.
“He’s (Walker) come up with some big plays for us, especially the last couple of weeks.
“Even last year he kicked a few field goals in his first season. He’s a special player; I think we can all see that and he’s getting better and better every week.
“He had a great game there last year and he’s looking forward to it this week.”
