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Roosters star Todd Carney's career could be over. (AAP Image/Sergio Dionisio)
Err … ok.
Given that is apparently good enough, in some people’s books, to earn another last, last, last, last, last, last chance after the other last chance that was his last chance it’s time we consider what type of contract the five-eighth should sign.
If we’re being realistic, it should have no strings attached.
No five-point-plans, no pledges, no promises, no requirements other than to train and play.
Anything else is sending any club and the player himself down a familiar road that ends with Carney leaving by “mutual consent”.
I’ve got no doubt that Carney is as they say “a good kid”.
In the hours leading up to last year’s grand final, which the Roosters lost to St George Illawarra, I interviewed Mick Nasser. He’s the man who took Carney away to the Atherton Roosters and placed him behind a bar as a form of rehabilitation.
Nasser vouched for his character and emphasised that he’s just a normal bloke in his 20s.
But that’s the problem.
Some blokes in their twenties like to have a drink with their mates. Some blokes in their twenties in Sydney like to go to Kings Cross and some don’t like rules or boundaries that much.
Unfortunately for him, that’s not conducive to fitting into a team culture sometimes.
Yes, Carney has had more lives than a litter of kittens and he probably doesn’t deserve another chance to be rich and famous by playing rugby league. But you can bet someone will offer him the chance.
Whoever that is though would be foolish to place restrictions on him if they don’t want it to end in tears.
They need to be prepared to deal with a photo of Carney in the newspaper with a beer and not be surprised when people think ‘here we go again’.
If no-one cares what Carney does outside of playing and training then he may actually be able to play out his career without another incident.
Yes, there’s a rap sheet as long as a December day, but surely if he’s offered another lifeline his days of dancing with the law will be over.
Is anyone that silly?
Maybe that should be the only stipulation. If he’s charged and proved guilty then cut him loose. Otherwise it’s buyer beware and hope for the best.
Is it fair to any future team-mates? No, definitely not. Is it the ugly truth? Who knows, it may well be.
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