Catalans Dragons playmaker Luke Keary has opened up on what he described as an ’embarrassing’ year in Super League with the former NRL Grand Final winner addressing his ‘gaff’ from earlier in the year.
Keary, like many of Catalans’ recruits, arrived on the back of heavy expectations but the former Sydney Roosters man failed to reach the heights expected of him and he worsened the situation for himself with comments made to the media Down Under.
The former Origin star labelled Super League as ‘near unwatchable’, claiming that Super League would be in a “lot of trouble” if the NRL don’t buy it.
He added: “I’ll go on the record saying (the Super League) is in such a bad way, the game is horrendous over here. It’s the product, the coverage, the news around the game, there is zero. There is zero.”
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Keary found himself in hot water for his comments and he arguably came in for more criticism given his own performances, which weren’t up to the standard expected.
Speaking after a Man of the Match performance in the 16-8 win over Leeds Rhinos, Keary admitted: “It’s been disappointing, it’s been embarrassing personally and as a team. We’ve been way off the mark this year and I don’t have any words for it but it’s great to see the boys rally a bit.”
On his difficult year, he said: “Obviously, I had a bit of a gaff earlier in the year and I learned a few lessons from that but I’ve really enjoyed the year.”
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Catalans beat Leeds based on dogged defending and a supreme kicking game orchestrated by Keary and his half-back partner Theo Fages, with the pair combining for three 40-20s.
Giving his immediate reaction, Keary joked: “Where’s that been all year? We know we’re not playing for anything but it’s great to see the boys turn up and it’s good for the boys here next year, as hopefully they can build on that.
“We just kept, just kept turning it up. We were offside every second tackle but we were just hanging in there. It was good to show a bit of heart.”
It’s a performance that Joel Tomkins hailed as the ‘bravest’ he’d seen and although he wished it had come a few weeks sooner, it certainly gives Catalans plenty to build on for 2026.
On Tomkins, Keary said: “He’s a young coach. He’s got a heap of energy. He’s always bouncing around. He’s a hard man. He’s from Wigan. He’s trying to instill that toughness in the group and hardness and that’ll take some time. He’s going to get a bunch of new players in next year where he can put his stamp on the club and the team.
“He’s only new to the coaching journey and he’s got a heap of energy and he’s going to do some great things here.”
Keary is one of 13 players leaving the club at the end of the season with the playmaker retiring one year into a two-year deal.
Super League an ‘experience I’ll never forget’ for Luke Keary
Despite the difficult season that he and the club have had, Keary explained that the move had been great for himself and his family.
“It’s been a great change for me,” he admitted.
“Obviously, being at Souths and Roosters for a long time, it’s been great to come over here and work with the French players. We’ve got a really good contingent of English boys there and Australians.
“It’s been an experience I’ll never forget. My kids have loved it. My wife’s loved it. It’s been great, mate. It’s been great to come to stadiums like this and feel the atmosphere.
“I got to taste it with a few world clubs and the World Cup here and the fans are brilliant here, mate. The way the atmosphere they bring to the ground. It’s been some great memories.”
He concluded: “It’s been a disappointing and embarrassing year personally and as a team but hopefully, I can walk away with some happy memories.”
Keary also confirmed that he will stay to watch the Ashes, previewing it as well: “It should be a great series. Playing over here, it’s a different style of footy you and it’ll be interesting to see how the Aussie boys do. The English are going to be strong.”
What has happened there 🤯
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