Sydney Roosters vice-captain Luke Keary has today announced that he will retire from rugby league at the end of the 2024 NRL season.
32-year-old Keary said that after 12 seasons of top-grade football, the time was right to move on to the next chapter of his life.
Luke Keary Announces Retirement
“After 12 seasons and 27 years playing the game I love, I have decided this will be my last and that I will be retiring at the end of the year. It’s a decision I have had thought long and hard about and I know it’s the right one for me and my family,” said Keary.
“Rugby League has been a huge part of my life, and I’m proud of the career I’ve had.
“Rugby League is the ultimate team sport, and I wouldn’t be here today without my teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends and mentors.
“From my first coaches Paul Griffin and Mark Mahoney to my Under 20s coach Ben Gardiner who nurtured me into first grade, to Matt King who has been there from day dot as a player then coach, and most importantly a mate.
“And my two Head coaches. Madge (Michael Maguire), you gave me first shot and I’ll be forever grateful to you. You took me in as a kid and taught me how to be a first grader. The lessons and toughness you ingrained in me have stayed with me my whole career.
“To Robbo (Trent Robinson), I feel so privileged to have had the chance to play under you. From the day I got the Roosters it felt like home for me, you’ve been a mentor and mate for eight years. We’ve enjoyed success and hardship and I couldn’t have asked for a better coach through the whole journey. From me and my family, I want to say thank you for the opportunity you have given me to become the best player I could be over the last eight years.
“It’s been a huge honour to play most of my career with the Sydney Roosters. This Club and this area have become my home and I can’t thank all the staff, and all our members and sponsors enough.
“I want you all to know that every time I put that Roosters jersey on, I gave every bit of myself to it and through the good and bad I hope I have been able to make you all proud.
“To our Chairman Nick Politis and all the Board, thanks for the unwavering support you have shown on and off the field. You welcomed me and my family with open arms and have left an imprint that will be with us for life.
“I can honestly say that I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by greatness my whole career, from my teammates at Souths in that 2014 team, to some of the greatest players I’ve ever played with at the Roosters, especially all the boys part of the 2018 and 2019 teams, many I’m proud to call my closest friends. The admiration I have for you all will stay with me for life.
“To my current teammates, we’re a tight group and I’m so privileged every time I get to run out with you.
“Most importantly, I’d like to thank my family; my parents for everything they did to support me, my brothers for always being there, and most of all my wife Amy and our boys Hudson, Brodie and Riley. They’re the four most important people in the world to me and I can’t wait to spend more time with them.
“I’m looking forward to taking on the new challenges in my post-footy career, but right now, my main focus is on giving my all for this great club for the remainder of our 2024 campaign.
I’m excited about what we are building towards, and I look forward to creating special memories throughout the rest of the year,” said Keary.
Sydney Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson lauded Keary’s leadership and contribution both on and off the field.
“Luke is our vice-captain and a man of high integrity who has always pushed beyond the limits of his physical capability. He has pushed through pain and bled in our jersey to be the best teammate he can be. His fire and craft have made him one of the toughest players that I have coached. I thank Luke for his commitment to the Roosters and his honesty in our relationship as a player and coach,” said Robinson.
“I also want to thank Di, Jim, Amy and the kids for the value they have added to the family environment here at the Roosters. We will forever value Luke as a friend.” he added.
Keary made his NRL debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 9 of the 2013 season, playing 63 games. He won a Premiership (2014) and World Club Challenge title (2015) during his time there.
Player number 1167, Keary made his Club debut with the Sydney Roosters in the opening round of the 2017 season.
To date, he has played 149 NRL games for the Club, won two Premierships (2018, 2019) and two World Club Challenge titles (2019, 2020). He has also won a Clive Churchill Medal (2018) and was named Player of the Match in the 2020 World Club Challenge.
In the representative arena, Keary has represented Australia (2 Tests) and Ireland (3 Tests) and played one State of Origin match for New South Wales.
Keary is the reigning recipient of the Roosters’ prestigious James Mathews Medal awarded to the Clubman of the Year (2023).
