Todd Carney holds the key to Roosters season
Roar Guru
By ScottWoodward.me, 9 Dec 2009 ScottWoodward.me is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Nick Politis, NRL, Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, Todd Carney
You cannot help but notice Todd Carney as he strolls into the SFS café for breakfast with a few of his team mates from his new club at the Sydney Roosters. Even if you didn’t know who he was, he would capture your attention.
It is not his multi-coloured tattoos that cover most of his visible body, or the Roosters training gear that display that he is an NRL footballer.
It is something else that makes you stop and look up.
This man has a god given gift. He has an aura about him that only very good players have. It is like there is a halo over his head.
I thought the same when a shy teenage kid walked past me in a Melbourne pub in 2004. I asked who he was and was told his is name was Greg Inglis.
Todd Carney has a long way to go before he could expect Inglis to buy him breaky, but there can be no mistake that 2010 will be his year to really get his life back on track and be discussed as a future rep player.
While I was waiting to order my flat white and Turkish raisin toast, the former Canberra young gun was ahead taking control like he does on a football field.
He told his team mates to sit down and he will “fix everything up”.
As he parted with $17.95, he managed to find the time to say hello to anyone that came near him. He gave the impression that he is introverted but genuinely enjoyed talking to fans, displaying his alter boy manners.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis is not noted for putting good money after bad, and after sacking his coach Ricky Stuart and then his replacement Chris Anderson, he decided enough was enough – the house had to be re-built.
He went after, and got, the man regarded as having the best eye for NRL talent, Peter O’Sullivan, who moved up from his Melbourne office after his team, the Storm, had just won the 2008 Grand Final.
The legacy of Peter’s work was still evident when the Storm repeated with another Grand Final in 2009, and for good measure, his “babies” won the National Youth competition.
So as we approach the 2010 season, the Roosters have yet another new coach as club legend Brad Fittler made way for the controversial Brian Smith, who came highly recommended.
Nick Politis could have been excused, as he sat down for a cuppa with his new coach Smith and long time right hand man Phil Gould, if had spruked:”I have done my bit, now its up to you”.
I wonder if they all know that everything hangs on that young man with the tatts and a halo over his head.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby League articles
- An open letter to Channel Nine (107)
- Gallop and some of his precious Sydney NRL clubs must go (101)
- The NRL is back baby! (65)
- The NRL’s scariest players (56)
- The NRL needs a vision (52)
- Federal Court has it wrong on sports broadcast copyright (48)
- Bulldogs setting benchmark for Sydney’s NRL clubs (46)
- New league chief coy on TV deal
- RL Commission was never in doubt, says Searle RL Commission was never in doubt: Searle
- Chalk predicts bright rugby league future
- Clubs must stop knifing Gallop, if commission is to succeed
- Rugby league’s new era: where to now? (23)
- New dawn for rugby league gets underway (11)
- Rugby league commission ushers in new era (3)
- Rugby league’s new era: where to now? (23)
- Federal Court has it wrong on sports broadcast copyright (49)
- An open letter to Channel Nine (108)
- The NRL’s scariest players (56)
- Is the All Stars match increasing the divide? (25)
- Channel Nine needs NRL-cricket ODI compromise (36)
- The NRL needs a vision (52)
- Explore:
- Nick Politis, NRL, Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, Todd Carney
Hugh Jarse said | December 9th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
hmmm, 2004 eh?
that was the year in which Greg Inglis turned 17 (born 15 January 1987).
you might have noticed him but the authorities didn’t.
BTW, I crossed paths with Todd Carney cafes several times when he was in Canberra. He was always extremely polite and seemed a happy guy in control of his life. What a difference the grog makes.
Scott Woodward said | December 9th 2009 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
Yep, I think he will be ok, he has some good people around him, and as for GI, he hasnt been convicted of anything and I dont expect him to.
Corey said | December 9th 2009 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
Todd Carney may not reverse the Roosters fortunes, but hopefully the Roosters reverse his. He is a great player and deserves to get a rep jersey. He has some things going for him- he is a freak of nature who has the ability of instincts (to act before thinking), and has a footy brain (can think than get himself and his team to act). I hope to see those talents this year.
Mick from Giralang said | December 9th 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
I’ll tell you what Scott, the patrons at the All Bar Nun in Canberra could not help but notice him when he was in there, either…
Seriously though by all reports he behaved impeccably at the Atherton Roosters during his exile, and working in the local pub to boot! I think his best friend to date is the Goulburn magistrate who ordered him out of his home town for 12 months, and away from people who tended to lead him in the wrong direction.
At any rate most league fans are wishing him well. He’s a seriously talented footballer and there’s no better story than that of a young bloke turning his life around and realising his potential. I think we all hope that becomes the postscript to the Todd Carney story.
Scott Woodward said | December 9th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
Well said Mick.
I am hoping that “Mini” can hold down fullback so Todd can play 6.
Springs said | December 9th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
I have no doubt that Todd Carney is a great person. Ever since I saw the documentary on the League players in Rwanda and he was there, Ozzy has obviously seen past the negative alcohol-related headlines and attempted to show people that a person with a media-created bad reputation has a good side. But apart from the documentary there was no other good press, instead there was ‘Carney Ran Out of Town’ orsome crap.
Hopefully Carney will play five-eighth with Anasta moving to lock.
Scott Woodward said | December 9th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
I will be discussing in depth the gains/losses and the line up for the Roosters and the other teams on 2sm tomorrow with the Talkin Sport guys. Also Peter O’Sullivan, who brought him to the club, will be on next Monday.
jmo said | December 9th 2009 @ 6:22pm | Report comment
Great story. It’s good to see they have given the bloke a chance. With all that bs hopefully behind them and a fresh chance – redemption – in front of them Todd Carney and Greg Bird will do magic for their new clubs next year. I was never too fussed about Roosters or Titans but now I wouldn’t mind if they win a few.
The Answer said | December 9th 2009 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
I’m looking forward to the preseason story about Anasta moving into the pack, I believe it will only be for about the 8th year in a row.
Was O’Sullivan responsible for Sisa Waqa, if so he has lost his touch.
Scott Woodward said | December 9th 2009 @ 8:52pm | Report comment
Answer why dont you ring him next Mon on the open line and ask him