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Luke Keary shot ends Kaufusi's NRL night

3 minute read

Melbourne second-rower Felise Kaufusi has had his night ended by a high shot from Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary in their NRL preliminary final.

FELISE KAUFUSI of the Storm runs the ball during the NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
FELISE KAUFUSI of the Storm runs the ball during the NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary will be sweating on the NRL charge sheet on Sunday hoping to be cleared to play in next week's grand final.

Keary was penalised for a swinging arm in Saturday's preliminary final win over Melbourne that knocked out second-rower Felise Kaufusi for the night.

The shot came moments after a fierce Kaufusi fend to Keary's face, and the Roosters' playmaker reacted by pulling a chunk of the forward's hair.

The incident is sure to catch the attention of the match review committee, which will release their charge sheet by midday on Sunday at the latest.

A heavy charge would have serious ramifications for Keary and the Roosters, who will advance to a grand final against Canberra with a victory over the Storm.

A grade-one careless charge would result in a fine, while a grade-two would attract 150 points and could rub him out of the grand final.

A grade-one reckless high tackle is 300 points.

"I actually feel really bad. I didn't mean to knock him out or anything like that. I hope he's okay. I haven't spoken to him yet, but I hope he's okay," Keary said.

"I haven't thought about consequences, but I just hope he's okay."

Asked about the hair pull, Keary said: "I think I was just trying to grab him. I don't really want to joke about it until he's healthy. But yeah, it is what it is."

Keary was crucial in the victory over the Storm, producing the bomb that resulted in the opening try for Boyd Cordner in the first half.

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