Adam Keighran is steadily finding his feet at the Sydney Roosters, making a good early impression in his first two weeks since joining his new Club for the 2021 pre-season.
Keighran spent the early years of his career as a journeyman, spending time at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors before making his way to the Tricolours for the 2021 season.
His NRL debut would come in round 1 of the NRL Telstra Premiership season for the Warriors in what was a resounding victory over Keighran’s former club, the Bulldogs.
Keighran played three NRL games for the Warriors in 2020 and it was his third game that stood out, as he went on to score his first career hat-trick in a big win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
One day before the pre-season, it was announced that he would join the Roosters for the next two seasons as he continues his pursuit towards playing consistent NRL football.
Now with some time at the Club under his belt, Keighran was able to discuss his time to Roosters Digital in his first interview with RoostersTV.
“Not too bad,” Keighran said on finding his feet.
“Last Thursday’s session was pretty intense, and the Saturday hill session was also pretty intense.
“Other than that it’s good to be around the boys, they’re a good bunch of lads.
“I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
First chat with Adam Keighran
Keighran joins the likes of Drew Hutchison, Lachlan Lam and Sam Walker in terms of halves options that have returned for duty before Christmas.
While Hutchison making his return in week two, Lam and Walker were both in on day one and Keighran was able to get in some valuable work with the two young playmakers.
Despite a couple of learnt lessons on the defensive end of the training paddock, progress is being made amongst the young halves in the Tricolours camp.
“Both of those boys have great feet (Sam Walker and Lachlan Lam), good footwork.
“They’ve already snapped my ankles a couple of times, both of them.
“It’s a good challenge to go up against them, it’s a different kind of play.
“I’m looking forward to progressing with them.”
Joining a new Club is never easy, but with a personality like Adam’s it’s easy to find your way within a group and make an impression.
As a footballer, he's a flexible option in the backline, offering his preferred services to either the five-eighth or centre position (where he scored a hat-trick in Round 20).
If practice makes perfect, then Adam’s plan is to continue getting to know the group and working on his combinations to ensure success in the red, white and blue.
“I think just getting confidence in and amongst the group,” he said on his plans heading into Christmas.
“Getting amongst the new players, knowing names, getting confidence in calling the shots especially when I’m playing five-eighth.
“If I’m playing centre, just sort of getting my combination with Lammy and Hutcho.
“That’s the main goal at the moment.”
There’s a no-nonsense approach to training with Keighran, who plans to keep his head screwed on tight as the pre-season progresses into the NRL season in 2021.
The goals are simple, and if mindset is rewarded then an NRL performance with the Roosters won’t be too far away.
“It’s a bit cliché but just trying to get in and play consistent footy, whether it be in reserve grade or in NRL.
“Obviously the goal is NRL, I’d love the get a number in the Sydney Roosters Club.
“That’s the obvious goal.”
