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Canterbury skipper backs NRL return for Todd Carney

Todd Carney appears set to sign with North Sydney. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
29th August, 2017
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Canterbury captain James Graham has thrown his support behind Todd Carney’s possible NRL return.

England-based Carney hopes to soon decide whether to attempt another comeback, with Cronulla reportedly close to reaching a settlement over an unfair dismissal claim brought against them by their ex-playmaker.

The former Dally M Medallist was reportedly seeking close to $2.4 million in damages after being axed by the Sharks in 2014 over his now infamous “bubbler” incident.

Graham said he would not stand in the way of his NRL club signing the former NSW State of Origin star.

“He is a quality player. He has obviously had some incidents that have come to light and some people have judged him quite harshly on that,” Graham told Fox Sports’ NRL 360 program.

“I would like to think he has learned from his mistakes and come back with a real hunger to succeed.

“Look back at 2010 he was the best player in the competition so he obviously has the ability so I think he would add to one of the teams here.”

Carney is off contract at Salford in the UK Super League where he has plied his trade since his Cronulla sacking.

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He had hoped to decide on whether to launch an NRL comeback after the unfair dismissal claim was settled.

“I have still got a court case in Cronulla to settle at the end of August and once all that’s dead and buried I’ll make a decision on my future,” Carney told UK newspaper The Daily Mirror.

Graham said he wouldn’t feel compelled to keep an eye on Carney if he joined his club.

“No, I wouldn’t. I would back the coaches and people who brought them in, it’s up to them to do their research,” he said.

“But when it comes to signing someone who has had some off field drama I would be listening to what they had to say.

“Ask them what their intentions are then judge them on their future actions.”

In contrast, Wests Tigers captain Aaron Woods said he would give Carney the third degree.

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“I would definitely have a chat with him,” he said.

“You would need to do your research behind him first but I would want to see where he is at.

“I would ask him why he wants to come to the club and what he can bring.

“There will always be better players than him at the club so I would love for him to be able to help the young guys coming through, give his experience to them.”

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