Damn you Todd Carney, and your so-called ‘mate’. Send your lewd facebook pics to whatever cretin wants to view them. They might appreciate them. Good for them. But I am filthy.
You stuffed up my initial plans for my weekly column on The Roar.
I really loved the just-completed NRL round. It was one of the best of the year and no one is talking about it. That is bordering on being criminal.
There were huge upsets, an historic comeback, amazing tries and dramatic changes on the NRL table, but what have we been talking about since Sunday? Todd Carnage.
No, I hate it. I really do. Let’s get back to why we love rugby league and focus on one heck of a round that deserves lots of bouquets – and very few boos.
On Friday night, the Sharks tackled the Broncos at Suncorp. At half time, it was all over, no contest, Broncs 22-0.
But… Cronulla found a way back, somehow. This really defied football logic. They won 24-22 and all 17 Sharkies, including Csrney, were men of the match.
At the same time, Brookvale Oval hosted one of the games of the year when the Sea Eagles played the Roosters. We should all be still analysing it, but no, a photo taken in a hotel toilet has taken over discussion.
Has anyone out there marvelled at the sheer brilliance of the Brett Stewart try off a set move that brought the Roosters to their knees? I loved it, big time, and I’d pay if I knew something similar would be conjured in the next game I attend.
Brooky Oval should be stored away in some rugby league museum but on this night, there wasn’t an extra space to spectate. It was chockers, and the enthusiasm for both Manly and the Sydney Roosters was electric.
Cowboys versus Rabbitohs? Wow! If North Queensland could play like this every week, they’d never lose a game. The Rabbitohs arrived in Townsville as red (and green) hot favourites. They left with their chins on their chests: out-played, out-enthused and out-muscled by a team that can do anything (or nothing) in this current season.
My attention then switched to the Parramatta versus Newcastle game at Pirtek Stadium. The Knights stormed to a 16-6, come-and-get-me lead and Parra did their level best, but fell short. It was exciting, but for me, Parra was the better team.
There were a couple more games to savour, but the radio and TV news only carried the Carney controversy and a certain Twitter picture. I wanted to see these games, I didn’t care. Bugger that social media stuff.
So I locked into the Warriors versus Panthers. What a fabulous game! End-to-end action, a see-saw score-line; who would win this? Lottery.
It was a breath-taking contest but at the death the New Zealand Warriors were in front. Shaun Johnson is a very special player. He grabbed an intercept try, he just finds a way to win.
And on Monday night (as the Todd Carney story raged high and low), the St George Illawarra Dragons produced their best performance of the year to knock over the Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
I have been a fierce Benji Marshall critic right here on The Roar but I must say that he was terrific in this game. Congrats BM.
As for T Carney and friend(s), go away forever and leave us alone. We love this game. We hate your actions that promote shame.
Again – what a fantastic round!
Ken
Guest
You've got a point that Carney has developed his headline potential over the years and that's a big factor. However this is a wider issue than these two players. It's not really a stretch to suggest that a rape allegation against an NRL player would have been pounced on much harder than they have been for the AFL player.
MAF1970
Guest
Bilbo the answer to your issue is in your own writing "Majak Daw's alleged rape" - pretty hard to "alledge" that Carney did what he did when the photo is there for all to see. The incident that Majak Daw is facing happened 7 years ago when he was 15 and the alleged victim was a minor - presumption of innocence until proven guilty maybe. I don't think there is much point crying out for equal treatment when the 2 incidents are absolutely poles apart - one player has history, has been sacked by 2 other clubs and gets plastered all over social media trying to rehydrate himself in the most unorthodox way - the other player has had allegations made against him from something that happened 7 years ago when he was not even in the AFL system. Aside from that it is a legal matter and not much can be reported anyway. Maybe the reporting of the Carney matter was overkill and it is unfortunate that the quality of the weekends games has been overshadowed but I think suggesting there is inequity in the way matters are reported is a bit of a stretch.
casper
Guest
Agree, the last round was some of the best footy played this year. Broncos lost momentum when the sharks got a few sympathy decisions (attacking the legs penalty was a poor decision) but lacked the ability & control to turn things back around. Roosters were outcoached by some absolutely brilliant set plays. Parramatta were beaten by a committed defensive effort when the Knights could have turned it up. social media is free & that's the problem with the Carney event - everyone, even those that have no interest in NRL, end up getting to see a sensationalised post & it goes viral from there with the NRL connected. Papers only follow the herd because they are forced to when it has become 'news'. Check front page (and often back page) headlines daily over the full year and the majority of stories will be negative. People enjoy the misfortune of others, makes them feel better about themselves. Luckily, State of Origin seems to lift the spirits of a whole state, unfortunately there can only be one winner & that's the reason it's sad to see coaches bleating about referees after they lose (Note: Ricky - it's become your trademark). Being gracious in defeat is rare nowadays.
Jason Oliver
Roar Rookie
What a click bait bit of bullocks. I'll know not to click next time.
mill
Guest
So Carney has wrecked your plans? You do know that you didn't even have to mention him in your column, don't you? You chose to, so don't blame the boofhead for that.
mill
Guest
Yeah....because upsets NEVER happen. You people are crazy, and there is nothing worse than people who claim "fix" anytime they fail to predict a result. I know a bloke like you lot who does it all the time, needless to say the boys and I just don't even mention footy around him anymore. Do you think there is something suss about Kyrgios beating Rafa too?
Gary
Guest
yeah I saw the game some thing certainly smells about the result, you don't get a bottom of the table team with problems on and off the field doing a finals contender like the Broncos. How does a team 3 week earlier smash Manly then lose to Cronulla in 40 min. Very very weird. I would love to know the odds on Cronulla win at half time
Dessie
Guest
He has a dog already and his name is 'sticky'
bunger
Guest
Sadly, Carney has wrecked the week. And, there will be many like him to follow in his footsteps because the NRL is defunct inherently. I wish it wasn't, but it is. But that's League. Just another day in the life of...
Tony
Guest
I thought that Foran was MoM... Everyone talks about DCE but he's the man.
col in paradise
Guest
If it was cricket you would be looking for some bookies
bilbo
Guest
they sacked him Marco.
Broncos Fan
Guest
I am a Broncos fan and went along to the game against Cronulla, I must admit I have never seen the Broncos defend so well and play so well. In the first half. Then almost be a different team in the second. Of the 23 missed tackles by the Broncos 20 of them were in the 2nd half, of the 9 errors 8 were in the 2nd half of the 7 penalties 6 were in the 2nd half. The team seemed not willing to offload at any point ( maybe once). It was like the team had something in the water and they all just stopped playing. I have never see a professional team capitulate so easily with 22 points on the board. I went to the Broncos v Manly as well and the similar team gave the ladder leaders a touch up. I cant remember any team putting more than 30 past them this year. Except the Broncos. They offloaded well and played a great brand of footy. Amazing football result and a real talking point, I think deserves far more coverage than recent rugby league stories.
nopuritan
Guest
no need to thank me for reading your words. your article gives a pretty good insight into your motivation. why dont you buy a dog? call it "todd carney" and kick it when you want attention.
Marco
Guest
The talk about this incident has provided a great laugh Australia wide. How does a rugby league player celebrate a win? " with a night out on the p...s" Time to toughen up on bad behaviour. Too many chances are given these days.
ken oldman
Guest
Heighington the local junior will be an old age pensioner,by the time the NRL acknowledge the Bears The FFA have come up with a FA .Cup.............Rugby an additional tier Comp....and the NRL with sweet fanny adams....they seem to me to be stuck in limbo while rival codes move ahead
Millsy from Perth
Guest
What a great read yes the football was fantastic. bring on next fortnight not this week players missing from NRL due to SOO.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Its Amazing what 5 years of uninterupted illegal peptide use can do for an ageing side. Its no wonder why essondon recruited Dank after the succes he achieved at Manly.
bilbo
Guest
Hammer I hear you.There is over 20 stories on the roar about Carney for being a repeat D%%%head,but one story on Majak Daws alledged rape and carney was sacked from his employment.
hammer
Guest
Not a fan of what Carney did (to himself, sharks,the fans or NRL). But there is an AFL player up on rape charges (Majak Daw from Nth Melb) and he is still available for selection this weekend. I am crying out for equal treatment by the media of NRL and AFL alike.