Bad boy Carney crowned king of the NRL
Columnist
By Luke Doherty, 8 Sep 2010 Luke Doherty is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Dally M Medal, NRL, Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, Todd Carney
From pulling beers in Atherton to wearing the Dally M medal. You have to love the redemptive power of rugby league. Carney had lost it all in 2008. Gone was the big-money contract, the fame and adoration. Instead, it was replaced by ridicule on the streets and a country home he knew nothing about that also brought him face to face with the golden ale that caused his downfall.
Sometimes it takes hitting rock-bottom to realise what you’ve lost, and in Carney’s case that has never been more true.
It seemed incomprehensible that when he was running riot in Canberra and subsequently sacked that the play-maker would end up a reformed Rooster.
There was never any doubt that Carney had the talent to be crowned the best player in the game. Of more doubt, was whether he could put several demons with big teeth to one side, and concentrate on football.
When his one-vote win over Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah was confirmed he shared a hug with his coach Brian Smith.
Smith told Carney at the start of the season that if he wasn’t going to get with the program then he may as well not bother playing for the club this year. In the past that may have provoked a childish response, but Carney took it on the chin and even let Smith move him to fullback.
The Roosters have to be commended for taking a chance on Carney. Sponsorship dollars and corporate support go on the line when a notorious bad-boy joins a club. Carney has repaid their faith quicker than they would ever have imagined and the money flowing back into their Moore Park headquarters because of him, is the reward.
It was a big night for Carney. He also took out the Provan-Summons medal and the five-eighth of the year award.
Not bad for a man, who by his own admission, never thought he’d be standing on the stage last night, let alone be allowed to play in the NRL again.
What more could he ask for really? Perhaps a premiership.
The top five in the voting also makes for interesting reading.
Dally M Top 5
Todd Carney – 27 votes
Robbie Farah – 26 votes
Darius Boyd – 25 votes
Benji Marshall – 21 votes
Paul Gallen – 19 votes
Robbie Farah came oh so close, once again. He was perhaps unlucky not to feature more for NSW during their doomed State of Origin campaign. Paul Gallen should also be congratulated after scoring 19-votes in a Sharks side that was, at times, absolutely woeful.
The team of the year was filled with players from nine different clubs.
The 2010 Dally M Team of the Year:
Fullback: Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Winger: Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights)
Centre: Jamie Lyon (Manly Sea Eagles)
Five-eighth: Todd Carney (Sydney Roosters)
Halfback: Scott Prince (Gold Coast Titans)
Lock: Luke Lewis (Penrith Panthers)
Second Row: Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
Prop: David Shillington (Canberra Raiders)
Hooker: Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
Captain: Braith Anasta (Sydney Roosters)
Coach: Brian Smith (Sydney Roosters)
It’s hard to argue with this line-up. Strangely, of the 10 positions available, six went to players eligible for selection for New South Wales in State of Origin.
You can follow Luke on twitter @luke_doherty and on Sky News Australia.
You can follow Luke Doherty on Twitter @Luke_Doherty and on Sky News Australia.
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)
- 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)
- Ennis confident about his NRL fitness
- Why sporting seasons should never cross paths (35)
- Independent Commission four years in the making, but worth the wait (30)
- Kearney still to choose Eels kicker
- 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:
- Dally M Medal, NRL, Rugby League, Sydney Roosters, Todd Carney
punter said | September 8th 2010 @ 7:29am | Report comment
Well done Todd Carney, this is a great story. He spoke very well last night, very humble.
This is a great story for Rugby League.
Crosscoder said | September 8th 2010 @ 7:37am | Report comment
One thing about rugby league it is a forgiving and therefore encompassing sport.You do the right thing by it, and the rewards come,you dont you get publicly spanked.
Carney has had more opportunitities than many get in a lifetime , he finally realised with the assistance of a few strong mentors ,you can get your life back in order.
Good one TC ,the road to redemption arrived quickly.
Mushi said | September 8th 2010 @ 8:04am | Report comment
I was exceptionally dubious, and whilst I still think we paid well above market for damaged goods, I’ll happily eat my words on what a disaster this was going to be.
thank god we moved him from fullback!
Luke Doherty said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
That was the most simple yet vital decision Brian Smith made all season. Fullback was worth a try, but there was no point when Mini was there and Anasta is better suited to lock anyway.
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 8:22am | Report comment
They may as well change the name from Dally M Player of the Year to “Dally M Best Story to Help Sell the Tele”.
Complete farce.
Robbie Farah has been the best player in the comp for three or four seasons, but he’s not a Daily Telegraph fave so he misses out on this and on Origin selection.
Mark Young said | September 8th 2010 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Willy I know how you feel, but don’t forget that the reason Farah lost year is that is his good mate and our saviour Benji Marshall finished 4th! They are both such brilliant players that they share the points all year long making it very hard for either player to ever take the gong.
On the plus side, they get to play together and win more games! Hence Robbie and Benji have a premiership which Tele favs and Daly M winners Thurston, Hayne and Carney don’t have.
Cmon Black and Golds!
Gareth said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Imagine if there was no Benji to split the votes with. You look at all the other top polling players and they’re standouts in their individual teams, yet Farah and Marshall take 2nd and 4th place respectively. Gallen is the best player in a very ordinary team, Boyd is the most noticeable player in a very boring team, and Todd Carney is the new kid in a team that came dead last in 2009.
Farah was very unlucky to miss out on the main prize, but choosing Anasta as captain of the year is an even bigger farce. Farah has managed to guide a Tigers team through a patch of pretty ordinary form midyear and keep them winning. That’s a true achievement. Without Carney and Smith, Anasta would be the captain of a drunken shambles of a team that would be giving the Storm a run for the spoon.
Luke Doherty said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
I don’t quite know about the spoon, Gareth (ellis perhaps????), but Farah has been a source of inspiration for the Tigers all year and while he did deserve a skipper of the year gong – Anasta has also been a big force at the Roosters this year. Perhaps joint captains???
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Good points from both of you!
I should confess that I’m talking through my pocket as much as anything! Had a bit of a go at Robbie to win it at 20/1…
So close!
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Right well seeing the Tigers have apparently had the best two players in the comp for the past three or four years (according to you blokes) isn’t refreshing that have finally made the semis!
Let’s see the Tigers actually achieve something before we start the backslapping. A few flick passes doesn’t cut it.
Willy, if you want to read about Farah, go to fairfax, that prima donna is in there pretty much in there everything on his never ending quest for self promotion. Robbie “I’m tough enough, just ask me” Farah.
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Of course I’ll go to Fairfax!
I certainly don’t read the Tele! (Not that anyone who can read buys the Tele – only those who like all the pretty pictures buy the Murdoch rag!).
Melanie Dinjaski said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Extremely happy for Carney! He’s had a wonderful turn-around and fixed himself up. I only wish other sportsmen who find themselves in hot water learn as well as he has.
On another note – Paul Gallen got 19 votes! How the hell did that happen!
Jammy said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:26am | Report comment
Because despite his flaws he is a very good footballer.
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Gallen is a great footballer.
And he’s playing in a team without many other stars, so he can dominate the votes.
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 9:57am | Report comment
Because week in week out he performs very well. Not sure what you are suggesting Melanie.
Surely you aren’t saying that because he isn’t Mr Clean he doesn’t deserve the votes, haven’t you in the past publicly declared your love of Brendan Fevola, so surely you understand the concept.
Melanie Dinjaski said | September 8th 2010 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Hahaha caught out. Yes I understand the concept. I just don’t think Gallen is THAT good. But you guys are right, he’s one the best for Cronulla no doubt. But what about Covell? It would’ve been a good send-off for him.
josho said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:31am | Report comment
do you know anything about league???
Shazza said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:41am | Report comment
prolly more than you joshoo
Melanie Dinjaski said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Well Josho, I don’t like the Sharks, but Covell would get my vote over Gallen any day. In their last win over the Titans, which NOONE expected, he scored a try and converted 5 goals.
Despite Gallen’s tackle count and all that, he has a total lack of discipline on the field. Not a Dally M contender in my books.
josho said | September 9th 2010 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
I’m not going to bite, Shazza
f it, here goes
nah Gallen’s not that good the useless b@stard only made more metres than any other player this season, 4,117, the closest forward being Corey Parker on 2,940.
but hey that was a fluke.
he’s 2nd only to Meteo in offloads with 64, but who needs second phase play? certainly not the Sharks who are renowned for their attacking prowess.
here we go, he only came 7th in the NRL with 750 tackles, lazy! damn he then made 492 hitups, to again be first in the league with Parker 2nd on 388 hitups. bloody good thing you don’t need forwards in league to lay the foundation for the backline……..
for we all know, a forward’s ability on the field relies on the platform set by the hard work of the backs and in particular the wingers!
Re Covell, I’ll qualify this opinion by stating that I am a lifelong supporter, and member of, the Sharks. Covell is a terrific club man and even better bloke off the field, a truly great embassador for the Sharks however, he isn’t the greatest back. he is great under the high ball in both attack and defence but as any Sharks fan will tell you his tendancy to come in off his wing in defence has created many overlaps and tries for the opposition and that’s to say nothing about his self confessed lack of speed in attck.
hey but what do i know, maybe i should comment on the brownlow…. or Richmond.
Re Gallen and “his lack of discipline” don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers. would it suprise you to know that Gallen gave up only 32 penalties in 2010 and that he was on a par with Kimmorley, Laffranchi and Sam Burgess? or that Creagh, Barrett, King, Nuausala, all gave away more? how about that “lock of the year” Luke Lewis gave up 42, Ennis 40, Watmough 48 and James Maloney from the Warriors 50???
but they’re all sh!t players too, right?
by the way, no one likes the Sharks…including the NRL it seems.
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
LUKE COVELL? A good send off? Barrett maybe for the Sharks but Gallen is a stand out.
Again, COVELL! A truly average player…give me strength.
Shazza said | September 8th 2010 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
strength
The Link said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Covell gets as close to a Dally M as Bob Katter to sanity.
apaway said | September 8th 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Great story for Todd Carney. My work in sports admin has taken me to Goulburn frequently and in March last year the name Todd Carney evoked looks of shame from the locals, and lurid stories of how he was literally run out of town, in some sort of throwback to the Wild West. That the NRL then got him a job in a bar in North Queensland seemed like the most disastrous career choice of all time. However, his time up north has obviously done something to change his ways and he deserved his win at the Dally Ms. A lot of credit should go to Brian Smith for helping Carney get back on track.
Melanie, I’ve got to agree – Paul Gallen? How did he poll more votes than Jamie Soward, Jamie Lyon, Darren Lockyer, Andrew Ryan and Scott Prince, to name but a few?
Springs said | September 8th 2010 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Because it is a 3-2-1 system picked by a commentator every week. Since te Sharks are such a bad team, and the losing team often gets the 2 or 1 vote, Gallen as the best player in that team, would have got the Sharks votes more often than not.
Say if they were playing the Dragons, 3- Boyd, 2- Gallen, 1- Soward. I think this system is crap and I like the RLW Player of the Year ratings a lot better, last night I was wondering how Carney got 2 votes when the Roosters played very poorly against the Sharks a few weeks ago.
M1tch said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:37am | Report comment
How did Lyon get Centre of the year?
jebus..
Well done to Carney did have a super year, Not many Tigers players must have polled with Farah and Benji taking up 47!
oikee said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:48am | Report comment
I think Lyon being captain , along with him showing leadership. Jamie Lyon is the only player (centre) i worry about when the Broncos play Manly.
If i notice this, he must be doing something right. His only danger was Kenny Dow. The later has his chance in the 4 nations to shine.
Mals said | September 8th 2010 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Easily answered Mitch, have you watched Manly week in, week out this year?!? Lyon was the stand out player in an ordinary Manly team most weeks. No Brett Stewart this year & a quiet year from Watmough would have helped his polling.
apaway said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
It was reward for carrying Manly on his back all year.
Brett McKay said | September 8th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Can anyone tell me for what Hayne won the Headline Moment award??
p.Tah said | September 8th 2010 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
Brett, I think it was when Gus Gould proposed to Hayne on air after his try at CUA stadium.
Apparently Gus offered him his premiership ring as an engagement ring and seeing that Hayne may not see one for a while he seriously considered it.
P.Tah said | September 8th 2010 @ 7:45pm | Report comment
In all seriousness, it was this try (Peter Frilingos Memorial ‘Headline ‘Moment Award)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J97ksS-e80
jameswm said | September 8th 2010 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
I posted this on another thread but no one goes there…
I think Carney has to come in to the Origin team now – the halves are the spots that most need fixing. We need guys who will stick around for 5-7 years to build a special team.
Robbie Farah has to be the hooker.
Half back I’m still not convinced on.
1. Hayne
2. Morris
3. Jennings – game-breaker. Cooper the only other option
4. Idriss – another game-breaker and will be a force for many years. Persist with him at this level
5. Possibly Jennings here, or some other flyer like Gordon
6. Todd Carney – he’s poroved his worth now and has an all-round game – kick, pass, run and tackle
7. Jamie Soward if you ask me. Mitchell Pearce and Wallace the other options. Soward is brilliant and does it week in week out. They are the two best halves we have (Carney and Soward), so time to start moulding them into a unit to last for several years.
8 Weyman or White
9. Farah
10. Learoyd Lahrs
11. Watmough – tough as nails
12. Paul Gallen – another tough nut
13. Greg Bird I think – skill, size and toughness
14. Gidley – he’s a good and reliable impact bench player
15. A big tough young prop – the best of them – Mannah, King etc
16. O’Donnell
17. perhaps Anasta based on all that
Beau Scott gone, Cooper dunno and Gaz not there yet
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
If you’re being serious, the backline picks itself
Dugan
Gordon
Jennings
Lawrence
Morris
Carney
Pearce
Hayne on the bench to provide impact.
Forwards a bit tougher but this is a reasonable start:
Bird
Gallen
Watmough
Weyman
Farah
Leyroyd Lahrs
Heighington one of the bench players. Maybe White another…
soapit said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
a bit far out but why not.
i’ll go for
stewart/hayne
gordon
bird (love to see how he’d go at centre and would stiffen up the backline. put him on inglis)
kenny-dowell / lawrence
uate
carney
pearce
lewis
gallen
watmough
dunno for the props
ennis
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
SKD is a Kiwi, no?
Oh, and Ennis at hooker! LOL!
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 5:28pm | Report comment
I suppose you want “I’m really tough, trust me” Robbie at hooker. Wasn’t he just great in the sky blue?
Luke Doherty said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
One of NSW’s biggest problems is that they have too many quality fullbacks. Stewart/Hayne/Dugan/Gordon. Flash Gordon turned in one of the best games i’ve ever seen for the Panthers when he broke all of Girdler’s records. Nice problem to have but you can’t pick them all unfortunately and they aren’t all suited to the wing like Billy Slater was early in his career for QLD.
Willy said | September 8th 2010 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
Agreed – Gordon has been brilliant at fullback.
rj said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
It’s a bit early to be picking Origin side’s. Lets’ wait until next year and pick the squad on form and not make the same mistakes our selectors make every year.
P.S
If we were playing Origin in a few weeks I reckon you’ve picked a decent squad.
jameswm said | September 9th 2010 @ 11:56am | Report comment
No RJ.
Waiting until just before Origin and picking the players who are in form at that time has been tried and failed by NSW. Class is permanent and you need the players who have proven themselves over a couple of seasons or you are backing will be champions for many years, as opposed to those having a good month.
We need a team the majority of whom will stay together for several years, rather than chopping and chnging every match.
RJ said | September 10th 2010 @ 8:48am | Report comment
jamesswm
The nucleus of the team should be locked in early -Hayne, Carney, Pearce, Farah.
All I’m saying is that you have to allow room for form players, otherwise we will see a repeat of this year’s series where a bloke like Mitchell Aubusson will be ignored again in favour of a log like Waterhouse, who I’m sure falls under your ‘class is permanent’ tag.
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
O’Donnell will be in the UK, that amongst other things rules him out.
At least who didn’t mention Heightinton.
ScottWoodward.me said | September 8th 2010 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
The Dally M often gets it wrong but Todd Carney is a worthy winner.
I did a story on him last December http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/09/tattooed-carney-holds-the-key-to-roosters-season/
pointing out that the Roosters and Brian Smith 2010 season would depend on Carney’s success. he hasn’t let anyone down.
Gob Bluth said | September 8th 2010 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
There are probably a few publicans in the area that were expecting a lot more from him.