Luke Keary has declared himself fit to play in the Sydney Roosters' NRL season-opener, ending 12 months of waiting to join Sam Walker in the halves.
Keary missed the majority of last season after suffering an ACL tear in March that ended his year early and left him out of the club's bubble.
He then opted to undergo ankle surgery in December, fed up with the bone bruising suffered in 2019 that had become more of an issue over time.
That prompted coach Trent Robinson to claim as recently as last weekend Keary was unlikely to face Newcastle on March 12, after sitting out both trials.
But Keary has confirmed he will be fit for the match, making the Roosters at full-strength.
He said he could have played in the pre-season match against Canberra if needed.
"It's a pretty simple procedure and pretty easy to come back from," Keary said.
"I've had a really good month of preparation, probably could have played the trial last week. But I was just held back.
"I am super excited (to play round one)."
The Roosters enter this season as genuine premiership contenders, ready to see the silver lining of their injury-riddled 2021 campaign.
Much of that favouritism is based on the combination of Keary and Walker, who were touted by most before last season to be the Roosters' long-term halves.
Walker was managed well by coach Trent Robinson last season after debuting following Keary's injury, but still set up 21 tries from 21 games while coming off the bench in four of them.
"He's had a huge pre-season," Keary said.
"Obviously he was thrown in just a tad early but he showed everyone what he can do. I have seen him come of age this year."
Walker is also now confident he can start each week and play 80 minutes, having bulked up slightly in the off-season and reached 80kgs.
The 19-year-old has been put on a diet of snacking on nuts and shakes between meals, with his body now back feeling 100 per cent after a sore month following the Roosters' semi-final exit.
"I feel stronger than last season, more confident in my body," Walker said.
"I've just been in the gym and eating well. I've spent a bit of time with the nutritionist helping put a diet together."
Partnering with Keary will be nothing new for Walker.
While they are yet to play a game together, they have spent the last two pre-seasons together with a view to forming a long-term combination.
Cooper Cronk is also heavily involved in planning, after partnering with Keary for back-to-back premierships and tutoring Walker last year.
"We've spent probably as much time on the training paddock as we have the video room," Walker said.
"It's been really clear for myself and him what we want to do this year and the style of football we want to play."
