After an eventful off-season Rabbitohs halfback Luke Keary was just happy to be playing footy again in his side's 48-6 flogging of the Newcastle Knights.
In a period where rumours of his future circulated far and wide following a bust-up with Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe at the actor's Coffs Harbour abode, Keary moved past the drama in his first game of the season by scoring one try and setting up two more.
"I've had a reasonably good off-season behind closed doors with all the work we have done so I felt physically and mentally really good. I know the work that I've put in and it was good to just get out there and have a run around," Keary said.
"It was good fun. It was a bit weird watching last week. I haven't missed too many games before but it was good to see the boys do their job and come out and do it again this week."
Keary partnered Cody Walker in the halves for the first time at NRL level and the two combined for four try assists in a memorable first-up showing.
Keary predicts Walker will make life difficult for coach Michael Maguire when Adam Reynolds returns from his broken jaw later in the season.
"From what I saw of him last year I knew he was a good player and he's been unlucky at previous clubs not to get a go through different circumstances. I thought he was going to get a shot last year," Keary said.
"He plays like that every week in reserve grade; people just don't get to see it. He's on the big stage now and he's just doing what he does.
"I think it's really healthy too. You want people in your squad putting pressure on others so everyone can play good and give headaches for Madge.
"Obviously with Adam injured at the moment [Cody and I] will try to strike up a combination over the next month or two and then see what happens."
Keary also had no trouble adapting to the halfback role, having spent most of his time in the NRL at five-eighth alongside Reynolds.
"I'm more of a natural halfback than I am five-eighth. I played there more when I was younger and I felt a lot more comfortable there," Keary said.
"I felt like I did my job there. Obviously I don't get to show my [kicking game] a lot when Adam is there because he takes most of the kicks. But I've always known if he wasn't there that I've done enough work so I would be able to take that load on."
