Johns has become a sounding board and a mentor for the South Sydney five-eighth with the pair often walking to a park near Johns' northern beaches home to drill as the five-eighths work on Keary's game. 

The bond came after Keary and halfback Adam Reynolds were introduced to Johns via coach Michael Maguire. Maguire and Johns share a close relationship having spent time working as coaches in Melbourne.

Keary said Johns had helped him refocus after he was left shattered when he tore his pectoral during the Auckland Nines. "I go and have good yarns with Matty," Keary said. "When I was coming back from my pectoral I went over to his house and had a few good yarns there about footy and life. [It was mainly] just about  trying to get back and get a first grade spot. He just gave me a bit of advice and I really respect him and his opinion."

Johns has compared Keary with Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk in terms of dedication. Keary has developed a reputation among his teammates for remaining cool and calm under pressure. Johns told Keary to study what he could add to the team while he was sidelined.

Since leaving the Storm as skills coach, Johns has maintained contact with Cronk and has spent time mentoring Jarryd Hayne and Jarrod Mullen in between his growing media commitments. Johns' own mentor Alan Bell was the mastermind behind Mitchell Pearce's form revival this year.

Keary said he would call Johns whenever he needed advice. "I take little bits and pieces from him," Keary said. "He is a good bloke and a down-to-earth bloke. I respect him and his knowledge of the game. [We speak] once every couple of months. If he has something for me he'll let me know or if I have a question I'll give him a buzz. I might have a little yarn with him here or there."

Johns will often run through a light training session for Keary, flanked by Johns' teenage sons, Cooper and Jack. Keary said the tutelage had proved invaluable. "He takes me down there and we throw the footy around with his two young fellas," Keary said. "It's pretty relaxed. It's not very serious at all. We talk a bit of footy and how the game is going and what's changing. Little things we can and can't do."

A grand final seemed unlikely when Keary tore his pectoral. However, the 22-year-old never doubted he would return.  "I was pretty positive through the whole thing," Keary said. "I knew I would be back. I didn't know if it was going to be this year or next year. It was disappointing to miss the first half of the year. I couldn't do anything about it. I could just concentrate on what I could control and that was getting myself right and back and I did that. I'm starting to play decent footy."

Keary returned from injury in round 17 playing at five-eighth before featuring in his next two games off the interchange bench. John Sutton's injury saw him revert to his preferred No.6 spot, striking up an improving combination with Reynolds. "Unfortunately Sutto [Sutton] got injured," Keary said. "I got a shot and the team got a bit of momentum when I was in there and I just played off the back of that."