Keary’s Souths future on the bench

Luke Keary’s future at Redfern, at least for the rest of this NRL season, could be as a super sub.

After being pushed out to the South Sydney bench to accommodate Greg Inglis’ surprise move to five-eighth, Keary starred as an interchange player to help the Rabbitohs to a come-from-behind win over Parramatta last week.

Inglis will again play at pivot for Thursday’s NRL round 11 opener against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium. Keary, who is off contract at season’s end, has again been named on the bench.

Coach Michal Maguire said premiership winning five-eighth Keary added vital spark from the bench against the Eels, helping Souths break a four-match losing streak. It was their worst losing period under Maguire.

“The change has allowed us to look at our structure in a different way and add a few things to what we are doing,” Maguire said.

“Luke Keary added some great energy off the bench, he came on and really added to our team, we know that is what he brings to our team.”

The rejig has also allowed Alex Johnston to move from the wing, where he represented Australia, to his preferred position of fullback.

“In AJ I have a great fullback in the making,” Maguire said.

“He has always indicated he wanted to be a fullback, so it was an easy decision for me.

“A player like Alex with his speed, he gets across the park really quickly and is probably deceptive in the way he does.

“We can have him out the back sweeping through the play and coming up through the middle and that is what you want.”

The only match Keary is near certain to return to five-eighth is the Rabbitohs round 15 match with Parramatta when Inglis will be absent due to Queensland State of Origin duty.

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