DIEHARD
14-08-14, 03:41 AM
Snubbing from Gold Coast Titans cost Queensland the services of Rabbitohs young gun Luke Keary
HE idolised Wally Lewis and celebrated the night Darren Lockyer scored the famous try that kickstarted Queensland’s eight-year domination of State of Origin.
But Souths young gun Luke Keary was lost to the Maroons system after Queensland’s newest NRL club, the Titans, axed the rookie, claiming he’d never play first grade.
Keary will take on Broncos five-eighth Ben Barba tonight aware his Brisbane rival is eligible for the Queensland jumper the Rabbitohs pivot will never wear.
In March, the NRL formally ruled Keary a New South Welshman after the 22 year old wrote to chief executive Dave Smith asking to be considered for Queensland.
Smith ultimately rejected Keary’s submission, a ruling not aided by the Titans’ decision to dump him three years ago, just before the framing of Origin’s beefed-up eligibility rules.
Under new guidelines, Keary would have had an iron-clad argument to represent Queensland if he was graded with the Titans.
But after being overlooked by the Gold Coast, a shattered Keary returned to family in NSW to chase an NRL dream that has since materialised at the Rabbitohs.
“In 2011, I was playing union and hoping to get a start at the Titans,” recalls Keary, who moved to Sydney at age 10.
“The plan was to work my way into their 20s squad, but one day they called me in and said we don’t need you.
“It was disappointing at the time but looking back I learned from it.
“I got a kick up the butt, I came down here and knew it was my last chance with Souths. I’ve been working hard ever since and hopefully I can kick on at the Rabbitohs.”
Keary is reluctant to talk about the eligibility saga because he is too humble to believe he has earned his Origin stripes.
But his childhood experiences are evidence he’s a proud Queenslander, with Keary recently posting a photo meeting Maroons legend Lewis on social media.
“Home will always be Queensland for me,” he said.
“Growing up there, we all supported Queensland so Origin was kind of born into us up there.
“When I look back on it as a kid, the thing I remember most is when Bryan Fletcher (NSW forward) did the hand-grenade (try celebration in the Blues’ 56-16 win in the 2000 series).
“I also remember that game in Melbourne when we started eight (series wins) in a row. I’ll never forget ‘Locky’ running on to that loose pass to score and that was the start of the eight straight.”
Tonight Keary could help deliver the bullet to Queensland’s flagship NRL team and Broncos coach Anthony Griffin is wary of the rising playmaker.
“He’s a great young player,” Griffin said.
“They are blessed with depth, they have two great halves and Luke has been a tremendous young player for them.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/
HE idolised Wally Lewis and celebrated the night Darren Lockyer scored the famous try that kickstarted Queensland’s eight-year domination of State of Origin.
But Souths young gun Luke Keary was lost to the Maroons system after Queensland’s newest NRL club, the Titans, axed the rookie, claiming he’d never play first grade.
Keary will take on Broncos five-eighth Ben Barba tonight aware his Brisbane rival is eligible for the Queensland jumper the Rabbitohs pivot will never wear.
In March, the NRL formally ruled Keary a New South Welshman after the 22 year old wrote to chief executive Dave Smith asking to be considered for Queensland.
Smith ultimately rejected Keary’s submission, a ruling not aided by the Titans’ decision to dump him three years ago, just before the framing of Origin’s beefed-up eligibility rules.
Under new guidelines, Keary would have had an iron-clad argument to represent Queensland if he was graded with the Titans.
But after being overlooked by the Gold Coast, a shattered Keary returned to family in NSW to chase an NRL dream that has since materialised at the Rabbitohs.
“In 2011, I was playing union and hoping to get a start at the Titans,” recalls Keary, who moved to Sydney at age 10.
“The plan was to work my way into their 20s squad, but one day they called me in and said we don’t need you.
“It was disappointing at the time but looking back I learned from it.
“I got a kick up the butt, I came down here and knew it was my last chance with Souths. I’ve been working hard ever since and hopefully I can kick on at the Rabbitohs.”
Keary is reluctant to talk about the eligibility saga because he is too humble to believe he has earned his Origin stripes.
But his childhood experiences are evidence he’s a proud Queenslander, with Keary recently posting a photo meeting Maroons legend Lewis on social media.
“Home will always be Queensland for me,” he said.
“Growing up there, we all supported Queensland so Origin was kind of born into us up there.
“When I look back on it as a kid, the thing I remember most is when Bryan Fletcher (NSW forward) did the hand-grenade (try celebration in the Blues’ 56-16 win in the 2000 series).
“I also remember that game in Melbourne when we started eight (series wins) in a row. I’ll never forget ‘Locky’ running on to that loose pass to score and that was the start of the eight straight.”
Tonight Keary could help deliver the bullet to Queensland’s flagship NRL team and Broncos coach Anthony Griffin is wary of the rising playmaker.
“He’s a great young player,” Griffin said.
“They are blessed with depth, they have two great halves and Luke has been a tremendous young player for them.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/