Keary replacement

[theGman]

I think Sandon Smith is the future but would give him an apprenticeship off the bench for another season or two. With that in mind I'd be looking at an older half who isn't injury prone, has big game experience, a decent defender, can organise and will just be consistently good throughout the season whilst leaving the flashy stuff to Walker.

Taking a quick look at the off contracts for 2024 and using the above criteria that'd really only leave Foran, Johnson, Reynolds and Chad Townsend. Reynolds and Townsend would probably want the 7 jersey so that'd leave Foran and Johnson who both seem pretty unlikely.

Perhaps someone is available in the Super League?

Contracts means jack shite these days.

Uncle Nick and co need to go hard for Dylan Brown.

Yeah he might not come cheap however, he's a gun with abundant ability who can slot in at either 6 or 7.
A change of scenery and coaches would do him the world of good.

[Rooster90]

I think Sandon Smith is the future but would give him an apprenticeship off the bench for another season or two. With that in mind I'd be looking at an older half who isn't injury prone, has big game experience, a decent defender, can organise and will just be consistently good throughout the season whilst leaving the flashy stuff to Walker.

Taking a quick look at the off contracts for 2024 and using the above criteria that'd really only leave Foran, Johnson, Reynolds and Chad Townsend. Reynolds and Townsend would probably want the 7 jersey so that'd leave Foran and Johnson who both seem pretty unlikely.

Perhaps someone is available in the Super League?

Maybe Drew Hutchison for a year or 2?

[OMR]

I don’t know why people are writing Keary’s eulogy. He’s still a great player with plenty of experience. Perhaps we go for Burton for 2026 and beyond, or as many have suggested go for Brown. I see Sandon Smith as a terrific 14 after Watson is gone .

[milanja]

I don’t know why people are writing Keary’s eulogy. He’s still a great player with plenty of experience. Perhaps we go for Burton for 2026 and beyond, or as many have suggested go for Brown. I see Sandon Smith as a terrific 14 after Watson is gone .

I think Watson has to earn that 14 jersey, Sandon was great, and would be very unlucky to not be 14th man.

[Bruce Pickett]

Not sold on Dylan Brown. Goes a bit quiet when the heat is on.

[Bruce Pickett]

I don’t know why people are writing Keary’s eulogy. He’s still a great player with plenty of experience. Perhaps we go for Burton for 2026 and beyond, or as many have suggested go for Brown. I see Sandon Smith as a terrific 14 after Watson is gone .

Yes.

The CTE and concussion narrative has only gone one way.

Let Keary and his neurologist (I'd take two opinions too) discuss and make decisions. Too much media (both social and 'official') hysteria based on anecdotal evidence, which is not helpful.

[Bondicigar]

Keary to the end of 2025 then Dylan Brown when he decides not to activate an extension with the eels for another 6 years at the end of 2025.
Keary will be 34 Brown 25

[OMR]

If , and only if, Keary decides to hang up the boots at end of ‘24, then if we can’t get Burton how about Douihi from the Tigers who is off contract at end of ‘24 , and with Luai going there in ‘25 he might not like playing second fiddle to that overhyped arrogant little so and so. He has a decent boot on go. ( from memory) and is a big body playing next to Walker as 5/8 could be enough to lure him.

[Mickie Lane]

If , and only if, Keary decides to hang up the boots at end of ‘24, then if we can’t get Burton how about Douihi from the Tigers who is off contract at end of ‘24 , and with Luai going there in ‘25 he might not like playing second fiddle to that overhyped arrogant little so and so. He has a decent boot on go. ( from memory) and is a big body playing next to Walker as 5/8 could be enough to lure him.

No thanks
The bloke is finished, he’s already had 3 knee reconstructions the last one he had he had to have stem cells put in his knee & it went again.

[Kelby]

Keary to the end of 2025 then Dylan Brown when he decides not to activate an extension with the eels for another 6 years at the end of 2025.
Keary will be 34 Brown 25

NO from me. Not sold on Brown.

Not worth $1 million a year.

[Thirteen]

If , and only if, Keary decides to hang up the boots at end of ‘24, then if we can’t get Burton how about Douihi from the Tigers who is off contract at end of ‘24 , and with Luai going there in ‘25 he might not like playing second fiddle to that overhyped arrogant little so and so. He has a decent boot on go. ( from memory) and is a big body playing next to Walker as 5/8 could be enough to lure him.

Too many injures mate. He’s constantly down.

[King Salvo]

Sandon Smith is my pick as he can play both 6 and 7 and is a proper organising half- Came through the Central Coast Pathways to the Roosters pathways the same as Tyler Moriarty

Below Good figures for a player who was playing SG Ball in 2021 and 4 Jersey Flegg games before that comp was cancelled. Selected at half in NSW Cup in front of the Volkster -Ronald Volkman and played in the NRL trial matches so obviously the club and coach have big wraps on him - 15 NRL games in 2023

2022 NSW CUP STATS AT HALF

Line engaged - 213 (1)
Try assists - 23 (2)
Line Break assists - 26 (1)
Kicking Metres - 3929 (3)
Support Play - 216 (3)

2023 - 8 games as half and 4 as fullback which was his original position before being moved inti the halves.

https://www.nswrl.com.au/players/nsw.../sandon-smith/

https://www.roosters.com.au/news/202...ay-of-my-life/

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

I would be giving Sandon Smith first crack. I hope this is Keary's final year.

[Mickie Lane]

Sammy Walker will play the off the cuff stuff at 5/8 & S Smith will play the structured half back role. I’m sure that’s the way Robbo will go.

[Schooner]

I was surprised when we let Volkman go and kept Sandon Smith. I hadn't seen much from Smith in the few games Id seen but having seen him in first grade last year he's moved well ahead of Volkman. He is a true halfback with a good passing game, speed and can kick. Playing at hooker has strengthened his defence. He's probably too young to organise the team to a premiership fo a couple of years but I think he's a great prospect as a 7. A lot depends on whether Robbo would play Walker at 6 and Smith at 7. Most good 6's have re-signed to 2025 or later. I cant see Douhi playing consistently at 6 for the Tigers if he comes back OK from ACL. I wouldnt touch him. Galvin as extended to 2026, Of the remaning 6's I thought Luke Metcalf showed a bit at the Warriors but he is a running 6.