Keary opens up about battle concussion after 'nervous' return, revealing teammates preparing to rest
Roosters star Luke Keary has opened up about his concussion battle, how he dealt with setbacks and why it could be one of his more frustrating injuries.
He also revealed that team-mate Lindsay Collins will be taking a break from the game after suffering a head-on collision against Manly – his second in as many weeks.
Keary picked up a head injury in the Roosters’ Round 14 loss to Storm and was out for four weeks before starring in his return match against the Knights.
Stream every match from every round of the Telstra 2022 NRL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The 30-year-old has a well-documented history of concussion. He suffered four in the space of 14 months between January 2018 and May 2019—with the last during that period forcing him to take a long break from the game.
When he suffered his final blow, many people in the game were worried about his long future. But Keary gets advice from those who know best to guide him through the tough times.
Speaking for the first time since the headshot, Keary told the Fox League Podcast he was “a little nervous” about returning in Round 19.
But sharing that “dividing up” and listening to medical advice is what helped him get back on the pitch.
“I think the way you deal with it at first and the biggest thing is the medical advice you get. I found the top neurologists in the country giving you advice — they’re the ones you should listen to,” he says.
“There are a lot of people who will have an opinion on that, which is fair enough, but if you can listen to them (neurologists), they are not going to put you at risk. They won’t let you go back there if they think there’s a risk to your long term future.
“If you can sort things out and take the right people’s advice, it makes you a little less nervous about coming back.
“But it’s always difficult to come back from… you don’t want to get it as a player and you don’t want to see other players get it.”
Keary also provides rare insight into what a recovery period really looks like for players — and why it’s different for everyone.
“I’ve had symptoms where I had symptoms and with that you can’t do anything, you just need to rest and wait for the symptoms to go away, the NRL has a return to play policy that you follow and it’s a pretty safe way to get back in touch and play, ” he said.
“Then there was another… In 2019 I had a couple of games in a row and I was forced to be off for six weeks. I’m actually fine, I don’t have any symptoms, but the doctors think that one month off is best.
“I’m fine all the time, I have a few weeks off then I train with the boys for three or four weeks. I think they are all different depending on the symptoms.”
FURTHER NRL NEWS
VERDICT: Broncos star cop banned for four games for controversial hip-drop tackle
TIM: Pistol young male discarded; Bellamy’s big Storm makeover
RUN HOME: Souths miss golden opportunity; Cowboy hunting is unthinkable when rivals falter
DEADLINE DAY: Assess your club’s mid-season moves as frenzy rocked the title race
RESERVES WRAP: Big button Tigers star as animal stun; answer to Storm’s tribulation
This is the type of concussion where there are no symptoms that Keary admits are “definitely” frustrating because her body may feel fine but she has to put her long-term health first.
“Obviously with other injuries you know right away, whatever it is there is a time limit set. The head (injury) is very different,” he said.
“Every player is different. Some players take an hour to recover, some take weeks, some take months.
“Neurologists will tell you too, I don’t think the brain patterns returned to normal for a few weeks, so I think in society and even in medicine they admit they don’t have all the information they need at the moment.
“But I have enough experience with them that I can tell you that they are very careful and they don’t consider the feet—they consider your health.
“As a game, we do our best to protect players and implement the best measures and protocols we know at this time that will help.
“It will never be perfect because like I said, even the top experts will admit that they don’t have enough information yet.”
Between Keary’s history and the early retirement of Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend last season, the Roosters are well equipped for the concussion challenge.
They’ll be spending time with Collins, who took a hard hit in Origin III and then fought Manly last Thursday.
Keary revealed Collins, who is “in good spirits,” will be resting but hopes to return before the end of the season.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“It’s a shame,” Keary said of Collins’ concussion.
“Obviously Origin one and then the first game back, it’s not a great sight. But he was really excited.
“It’s funny, everyone is different and some punches make you shake, it makes you sick and then others you are fine five minutes late.
“Linds was really excited after the game, he trained every day – he wanted to train with us yesterday but the doctors didn’t allow him.
“He’s obviously going to have time to rest, fix himself, make sure his head and neck are right, make sure everything is okay, go see an independent doctor and take the time he needs to come back, make sure he’s healthy and strong. and to make sure he’s okay to play.
“Hopefully we get him back before the end of the season but otherwise we all just want Linds to be healthy again.”
#Keary #opens #battle #concussion #nervous #return #revealing #teammates #preparing #rest
Comments
Post a Comment