Catalans Dragons boss Joel Tomkins has leapt to the defence of Luke Keary, insisting the retiring half-back has shown remarkable commitment by playing through injury for almost the entire year.
Keary, who will bring his career to a close at the end of the season, has endured a testing spell in Super League after arriving with high expectations.
Yet Tomkins revealed that the 33-year-old has been “pretty busted” for most of 2025 – and believes he deserves far greater credit than he has received.
‘He’s been the glue for us’
Speaking after Catalans’ shock win at Leeds on Thursday, Tomkins said: “One of his better games, for sure. He’s played injured most of the season. He’s pretty busted, and as I say, played injured all year, and that probably came into his decision to retire at the end of the season.
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“I’m really proud of him. I’m proud of what he’s done this year – he’s been the glue a lot of the time for us. He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because we’ve not played well as a team – but for me personally, he’s been great.”
Keary’s leadership was vital in a patched-up Catalans side that had just 18 fit players heading into the Headingley clash. With Tariq Sims carrying a torn calf and Curtis Sironen forced off early, Tomkins said his senior playmakers had no choice but to step up.
“We needed Ben Garcia, Theo Fages and Keary to lead us and they did tonight,” the coach added.