Roosters sweating on return of key playmaker after latest head knock

The Sydney Roosters have suffered a 26-18 defeat at the hands of Melbourne, but it will be the loss of playmaker Luke Keary that leaves coach Trent Robinson concerned.

Keary, who has had longstanding concussion issues, did not return to the field after being taken off for a head injury assessment in the 30th minute in front of 12, 295 fans at the SCG on Saturday.

Halves partner Sam Walker was also sent for assessment after a nasty collision with Melbourne’s Felise Kaufusi, but was able to play on.

Attempting to bring down Storm flyer Nick Meaney, Keary, 30, fell to the ground and copped the knee of teammate Joey Manu in the back of the head.

After five head knocks across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the Roosters playmaker was sent to see a specialist and given five weeks away from the game.

Robinson said he wasn’t sure how he would approach Keary’s latest concussion, his first since the 2019 campaign.

“He was OK in the sheds but not good enough to go back on the field,” Robinson said.

“He got the knock and he’s come off, so I can’t give you much more than that.”

The latest concussion concern could not come at a worse time for the Roosters with games against Parramatta and Penrith over the next two rounds

“It was a weird one, I saw him go down and point at his head,” said Roosters skipper James Tedesco.

“I’ve seen Luke go through a bit of a hard time with that.

“It’s a bit of a worry when he doesn’t come back on and hopefully it’s not as last time.”

Walker, meanwhile, received an elbow to the face from Kaufusi as he attempted to bring the Storm forward to ground.

Unlike Keary, he did return to the field but Kaufusi’s action may draw the attention of the NRL’s match review committee.

Kaufusi was given a two-week ban by the NRL for a similar incident involving Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson last season.

“I didn’t see it but I don’t think he got penalised for it,” said Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.

“You think if there was something that was wrong with it you’d expect the bunker to step in if it wasn’t within the rules.”

Despite the loss of their two key playmakers for patches of the game, the Roosters were gallant with teenage winger Joseph Suaalii continuing to impress.

Suaalii scored the Roosters’ opening try and was held up over the line going for a double.

He also pulled off two try-saving tackles in the first half.

Walker added another try with Marion Seve and debutant Storm winger Grant Anderson both scoring doubles.

Anderson was impressive in his first NRL game and his contribution heartened Bellamy with Origin star Xavier Coates missing for the next eight weeks.

Despite a late try from Roosters backrower Sitili Tupouniua, the Storm held on with Kaufusi rounding out the win with five minutes to go to help his side move to second on the NRL ladder.