Is Carney ready to take next step up to the Blues?
Roar Guru
By Steve Kaless, 23 Mar 2010 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- NRL, Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, Todd Carney
Sydney Roosters rugby league player Todd Carney. AAP Image/Paul Miller
The redemption of Todd Carney continued at pace over the weekend with another sublime effort against the Tigers. Every post is a winner, and at the rate we are going, he’ll be offered the keys to the city of Goulburn before the end of next month.
The former Raiders player has stepped back into NRL footy with ease, even more impressive is that his return has been at a new position.
Now, while we have only finished round two, predictions of Grand Finalists and Origin hopefuls have already begun (we never learn, do we?) so is it time to toss Todd Carney’s name in the hat? Surely if Mitchell Pearce is being talked up as a captain, then Carney must also be mentioned.
Of course, there are a few details to iron out.
First, surely Jarryd Hayne has the fullback spot sorted. Then, if Pearce is at halfback, where does that left Carney? Remember that Kimmorley and Barrett were brilliant in the final game last year.
Also, you must remember that NSW need to pick players who play in that position every week. Maybe the man most under pressure from Carney is Kurt Gidley.
That floating role that Gidley plays for the Blues, with the ability to back up at 9,7, 6 and 1, could be perfect for the Rooster.
If anything, it will be fun to watch the debate play out over the coming months.
Finally, surely the biggest winner of the week was spectacle provider OPSM. Their marketing department must have cheered every time the Hasler rant was replayed.
The crunch come this week when we see whether the coverage brings the windfall as league fans line up for eye tests, especially Parramatta fans and punters who’d back the Eels as they had tried the old line “Looked okay to me” when the referee pointed to the spot.
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M1tch said | March 23rd 2010 @ 7:38am | Report comment
Short answer = Yes
Only 2 rounds but fair to say the leading contenders for the halves would be Carney and Pearce, they have a club combo, winning form and Carney especially adds the x factor that great players they are…Barrett nor Kimmorley have that
NotSoSure said | May 28th 2010 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
As a Queenslander i say pick Carney.. He is an x factor which to says to me he’s an unknown quantity. This can go either way and given the pressure the QLD side will be applying i’d be backing an implosion.
Having said that, the Blues need to find some why of beating QLD and the previous 13 halves combinations haven’t done well in successive matches so maybe give him a crack.. If it blows up though i’d be worried about him getting depressed, hitting the bottle and having another year on the sidelines.
alan nicolea said | March 23rd 2010 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Steve
Jarrod Mullen would also be in the mix that’s for sure but Carney and Pearce are playing great attacking footy at the moment. Brian Smith did hint however that both players are yet to hit their prime due to some costly decisions they made with the ball in hand against the Tigers. They must stay composed at Origin level in order to succeed.
Pete said | March 23rd 2010 @ 9:02am | Report comment
Origin is all about heart and passion playing for your state. Seeing as though Carney was born and raised in central Queensland, will his heart lie with the Blues? I realise his first senior game was in NSW but will he be wishing he was pulling on the Marron jersey instead? NSW tried with the inexperienced halves combination in games 1 and 2 last year and failed quite badly. If Barret and Kimmorley are in good form, then I would be picking them.
Ken said | March 23rd 2010 @ 9:44am | Report comment
Greg Inglis was born, raised and played his first senior football in NSW but seems to go OK for Queensland. Israel Folau, born and raised in Minto (make sure you don’t pronounce the ‘t’) SW Sydney seems to get up for the occasion as well. I think the precedent has been and gone that if you’re eligble for Australia selection then you can choose where your allegiance lies.
With the experienced vs inexperienced, I’d make sure that I had at least 1 of Barrett and Kimmorley there with an eye to picking one of the young tyros if they have maintained form. While Barrett and Kimmorley are running on older legs these days they are both still very clever players who have dominated at this level before and their experience is invaluable to the team. We’ve picked a lot of youth in the halves over the last few series with very little to show for it.
mushi said | March 23rd 2010 @ 9:03am | Report comment
I think steve has it right Round 2 is a little early to start sucking the popsicles
Tinnie said | March 23rd 2010 @ 9:45am | Report comment
No neither will play origin and yes it’s waaay too early to be making such bold predictions. Both the Rabbitohs and Tigers literally self destructed in their respective games with the Roosters. Not trying to take anything away from them but i havent seen anything that special from the Roosters, or the players mentioned performances.
I think this will be put into perspective this weekend when they play the currently struggling Bulldogs.
Dogz R Barkn said | March 23rd 2010 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
It may well be too early, but Carney has certainly looked the goods.
As for giving him the keys to Goulburn, I’m sure the city councillors would much prefer that stays in the inner-East for the time being, especially after a big win.
Dan said | March 23rd 2010 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
I would have Carney in Origin before Pearce. Carney is x factor personified.
Chris said | March 23rd 2010 @ 6:50pm | Report comment
Yes he is. I’ve always been of the opinion that Carney is every bit as good as Andrew Johns. The difference was that Andrew Johns acted like a professional whereas Carney clearly hasn’t – so far. I know it is a huge call but as far as raw talent goes I reckon Carney is the best player in the game. The key is unlocking that raw talent. If he can do that he can still go down as a great in the game. He may have been around for a while but he is only 23. The best years for a rugby League player are probably 21-29 so he has a while left.
The skills this guy has are literally freakish. The only thing more amazing is his record of controversies. If he gets it together he will be unbelievable.
That said he will have to play more than 2 good games to be Origin worthy.