Kezza & Cheese

[ChookMaster]

Daily Tele reporting that kezza will be extending and cheese plans on activating his player option.

[Horry]

Brandon Smith plans to activate an option in his Sydney Roosters deal and Luke Keary is set to extend his career at the club in a twin contract coup for the Bondi glamour club.

Two of the Roosters’ biggest names go into the new pre-season as free agents, with Smith having a 12-month option in his favour for 2025 — technically making him off-contract next year.

Meanwhile, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has met with Keary, off-contract next year, to discuss his present and post-football plans amid speculation the 2024 season could represent the 31-year-old’s NRL swan song.

This masthead can reveal Smith has a clause in his contract that states he has until to advise the Roosters whether he will be at Bondi in 2025.

The Kiwi Test star had a turbulent maiden season at the Roosters after his big-money move from the Storm.

He started slowly and missed two months with a broken thumb, but Smith finished the 2023 campaign with 21 games, showing glimpses of his best in the Roosters’ late-season resurgence to make the finals.

There were fears Smith may have regretted quitting the Storm, but his manager has given the strongest indication yet the premiership hooker will trigger an extension to remain at the Roosters in 2025.

“The way he played at the end of the year, I believe Brandon will take up the option and extend his stay at the Roosters,” said his agent Stan Martin.

“I will sit down and discuss things with Brandon once the season gets underway.

“Brandon has a one-year option in his favour – and we’ve got another six months to make a decision – but staying at the Roosters is the way it’s looking.

“Initially, Brandon struggled to settle at the Roosters, but by the end of the season, he was well and truly settled.

“He had that busted hand but he’s had the operation, it’s all fixed, so he’s ready to fire next season.

“It augurs well for his future at the Roosters.”

The Roosters also remain hopeful Keary will put retirement on the backburner and suit up for a 13th season of NRL beyond 2024.

The 205-game stalwart was tipped to retire at the end of his current deal after his concussion battles in recent years, but Keary built continuity and confidence with 26 games last season.

Robinson is not rushing Keary, who turns 32 in February, into a decision, but the former NSW Origin pivot is open to another term at Bondi in 2025.

“Luke is keen to play on,” said his manager Paul Sutton.

“A few years ago, there was a feeling he probably wouldn’t play on, but they get to the end and it’s not as easy to walk away as it seems.

“I think Luke has plenty of footy still in him.

“He copped a few head knocks in recent years and these days, a few concussions seems to spook people, but at the back end of last season he started to get his confidence back.

“The Roosters have spoken to Luke and both parties are happy to wait. There’s no rush to sign anything. People just assume he will stay at the Roosters. If I went shopping on the open market I’m sure it would be a different story.

“He would be mad to leave the Roosters. He is thinking beyond football and the Roosters have been helping him in that regard. He is pretty intelligent, he is doing a masters in business, so he is planning for life after football.

“We’ll get the season underway but I doubt it would drag on, we might look to do a new deal early in the season.”

Martin dismissed suggestions Smith was struggling to adapt to the Roosters’ playing style.

“Brandon has found his feet at the Roosters,” he said.

“He was never unhappy at the club, but it took some time to get used to a new environment after spending so many years and having so much success at Melbourne.

“Craig Bellamy was a bit different to ‘Robbo’, he gave Brandon a little more freedom because he knew him as a kid, whereas Robbo’s structure was a little bit different.

“It took Brandon a bit of time to understand what was required at the Roosters, but he actually really enjoys being coached by Robbo.”

[HunchoRooster]

I have never been less excited at retention news.

Keary needs to go end of next year in my opinion. Would be a charity contract to extend him beyond that.

[Thirteen]

Shock horror. Everyone on here had Keary headed for certain retirement at the end of 2024.

[tloos1999]

Shock horror. Everyone on here had Keary headed for certain retirement at the end of 2024.

And you disagree with that take? We won’t be going to the next step as a club with Tedesco and Keary staying until 2025. I can count on one hand the amount of good games the latter had for us this season. Can’t dispute the effort but just doesn’t have the impact he once had. Same goes for Tedesco. Horrendous decision to give both new contracts past this season.

[tloos1999]

People will be quick to say “but we made the second week of the finals”. We sat at 14th for a majority of the season, and a big contributor was how poor our halves were. Can’t blame Walker when he played a quarter of the year. He’s the way forward, with either Sandon or a 5/8th with a proper complimentary kicking game. When big games were on the line, Keary didn’t step up, and is nowhere near the player he once was. Kiss goodbye any premiership aspirations till post 2025, because we are still acres off Penrith/Brisbane, and a large part of that is our 5/8th and FB who are well past their use by dates in a starting capacity.

[Kentucky_Fried_Rooster]

Cheese had no choice but to take up the player option in extending, he would struggle to get the coin he is on elsewhere unless it's at the Tigers, Dogs or Dragons.
He didn't exactly set the world on fire this season.

Keary was a great player but all the head knocks has affected his confidence, I didn't realise he had been with us so long.

[Thirteen]

And you disagree with that take? We won’t be going to the next step as a club with Tedesco and Keary staying until 2025. I can count on one hand the amount of good games the latter had for us this season. Can’t dispute the effort but just doesn’t have the impact he once had. Same goes for Tedesco. Horrendous decision to give both new contracts past this season.

It’s not about whether I agree that Keary plays on or not. My comment was about the assumption he was retiring at the end of 2024 despite him or the club never ever making mention of this.

For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t mind if Keary retired at the end of 24. He’s getting on a bit and at his age I don’t think he’d come back from another head knock.

[Bates]

My mail is that Robbo want's the Cheese gooooooone.

[Easts75]

I don't believe we can win a comp with Walker & Keary in the halves. Just my opinion but not sure how i feel about Keary playing on

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Some good positive news in the off season.

Kez was one of our top four contributors this year with big bad Lindsay Collins, Billy the Kid and Nat Butch. He would have got plenty of confidence out of this season. Nothings been signed yet but great to see him eyeing an extension.

Messy maiden year for the block of Gouda, but like a good racehorse I think he will improve 2nd season up. A number of 'top' players don't acclimatise straight away to Robbos Roosters footy.

Personally, moving into season 2024 I'm more worried about what Teddy will provide compared to some of his contemporaries. His effort and strength of character are unmatched, but he's lost some power and zip which is to be expected given how he has played the game.

[Chook2]

Let’s wait and see
maybe if Keary does re sign it will be in a reduced contract to see him finish into an off field role after? Maybe $400-$500k? Gees there are some ex players in the chooks staff now with sbw appearing, Cronk, friend, cordner, morris etc
for the cheese he started slow but was great when he came back from injury
hardly anyone fired early on but when the team was playing well together most players did
if we are in the top 4 consistently next year all players will be firing and there is plenty of competition for spots so they are going to have to be otherwise they won’t be in the main 17
we still have jwh retiring, Suaali to rugby, Angus all but gone and maybe tupou retiring freeing up a couple of mil for 2025 and the cap will keep increasing
We have resigned Whyte and Wong and only May/ Manu and maybe sitili if he gets back to form for 2025 as the majors
keen to see may re sign

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

My mail is that Robbo want's the Cheese gooooooone.

My mail is that you don't even have a postal address.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Keary should worry about playing season 2024 first.

[Waylander]

Personally, moving into season 2024 I'm more worried about what Teddy will provide compared to some of his contemporaries. His effort and strength of character are unmatched, but he's lost some power and zip which is to be expected given how he has played the game.

Doesn't Teddy get stem cell therapy on his knees every second year? IIRC, he's due for treatment this off-season, so I expect he'll actually have a decent season in '24.