If rugby league bad boy Todd Carney picks up the pieces of his rugby league career in Queensland next season it won’t be as Darren Lockyer’s replacement in the Broncos No.6 jumper.
While Cowboys coach Neil Henry has left the door slightly open for the the troubled ex-Rooster, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin slammed it shut with an emphatic “no thanks” when asked if his club would throw Carney a lifeline.
After Brisbane smashed the Warriors 40-10 in their qualifying final 24 hours later, Griffin was asked if he could confirm reports Brisbane had been in contact with Carney’s agent.
The straight shooting Griffin didn’t hold back, hitting the rumour out of the ball park.
“I can tell you this … I’m in charge of (player) recruitment at our club at the moment and Todd Carney won’t be coming to our club,” Griffin bristled.
Griffin has already decided on his strategy to replace Lockyer in 2012 with Peter Wallace possibly shifting to five-eighth and either Ben Hunt, Corey Norman or another of the club’s young guns given a crack at halfback.
Last year’s Dally M medal winner, whose playing career has been plagued by alcohol-related dramas, is likely to be snubbed by NRL clubs with his best hope of continuing his career being a move to the UK Super League.
Carney had been tipped to link with Catalans Dragons next season until the French club’s coach, Trent Robinson, a former assistant at the Roosters, recently confirmed they could not sign him.
The 25-year-old has so far received the cold shoulder from South Sydney, Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra, Melbourne, Cronulla, Penrith, Newcastle, the Warriors, Parramatta, Canterbury and now Brisbane.
Dicko
Guest
I saw a bit of the Footy Show last Thursday where Darryl Broman was calling for Carney to go, and Rabs and Freddy were attacking Broman and saying the league needs to look after him. I wonder if they would be defending Carney if he had been done for drink driving in their neighbourhood (he's done that twice), led the police on a chase through their neighbourhood (he did that while disqualified), destroyed their car (he did that in Goulburn), smashed a shop front of one of their local shops (did that in Goulburn too), pi$$ed on one of their mates (did that in Canberra - that was the last straw with the Raiders), and that is just the stuff that is publically known about. Good on ya Big Marn, Carney has had his chances. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and walk away. Rabs and Freddy, wake up to yourselves!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Ooooh noooooo! The Sharks are talking with his management as I type.
jeff
Guest
Roosters are playing brilliant football since he was stood down.. is this pure coincidence?..
db swannie
Guest
Rabby .. he might have skills & ability ,but Carney is nowhere near the most skilled player in the World...Wouldnt be in the top 10.
Rabby
Guest
Todd will suddenly find that his past has finaly caught up with him. You do not get repeat chances after repeat chances. He has become toxic. It is no good being the most skilled player in the world if you have a bad attitude and a bad reputation. It will be a desperate poor club if any that takes Carney now. Sad to see in one sense but then again he has had his chance{s} and its time to let another youngster have a go.