Former Australian forward Greg Dowling says Todd Carney deserves another shot in the NRL after offering the troubled star a Queensland Cup pathway.
Carney has knocked back lucrative English Premier League offers and verbally agreed to join the Northern Pride, where Dowling is chief executive.
Plagued by alcohol-related scandals that saw him sacked by Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla, the former NSW five-eighth will arrive in Cairns in three weeks.
The 31-year-old reportedly knocked back a $1.2 million offer to join Tim Sheens’ Hull KR in favour of the Pride’s $100,000 package.
Carney was let go by Cronulla following the infamous “bubbler” photo of him urinating in 2014 and has spent the past three years in the Super League.
Dowling believes Carney is still capable and worthy of playing in the NRL.
“Everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves and he’s served his penance and I’ve always said he’s only ever damaged himself, never hurt anyone else,” Dowling told AAP.
“I’d be lying if there wasn’t any negative feedback about signing him but I’m convinced he’s on the straight and narrow and that he can play in the NRL again.
“It’s between the ears and if the hunger is there he’ll get a contract and we’ll be happy to release him.”
Carney has a soft spot for Far North Queensland considering his 2010 Dally M win came a season after he revived his career with club side Atherton.
“He does want to play in the NRL but he also loves the area and will be playing with some of his old mates,” Dowling said.
“He’ll fill a void on the field but the club will also use him in development and coaching roles, which is something he’s interested in (in retirement).”
FnQ
Guest
Seems pretty real to me Mozza. Substitute it with your own version of reality if you wish.
Mozza
Guest
He'd be a great mentor in development and coaching roles - NOT. Get real.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I remember him playing SOO a while back and making a clean break from a long way out and passing to Snake Stewart who had the pace to score despite his by then dodgy hammys. NSW could have done with those two playing for a decade both without the issues that plagued them. They were good enough to win a couple of series for the Blues. I remember the quality of the pass clearly and it showed his talent. Plenty of what ifs in sport.
Not so super
Guest
Correct, journalists do themselves a disservice by comparing a rumored 3 year amount with a 1 year amount to try and make a story interesting
Nat
Roar Guru
I have no doubt he will make an impact in the Q Cup but as far as securing an NRL contract from it - I don't know. Even the Q Cup has some very talented halves with malleable future. This could be his goodbye tour and I hope he goes ok.
FnQ
Guest
Wonderful news. Congrats to all involved.
terrence
Guest
Or Johnno, was he actually offered A$1.2m (circa GBP700,000) by anyone? If he was for how many seasons? Or was this random amount just added into the article on the glib statement by Carney/his management/Northern Pride to get a little bit of sympathy (i.e. He is giving up so much for another shot at the NRL, he deserves it?) Rubbish, he had ample chances to establish himself as a long term dominant playmaker in the NRL and didn't take the opportunity. Yes, he had a great year in 2010. He is a good player. But 6 clubs in 14 seasons (sacked by 3) and the most games at one club in that time was 71 games...? No wonder no one in Australia is keen on him. At 32 next year, why add him to your NRL roster, look to the future, he is the past and a rather bleak one at that. When I read the A$1.2m I chuckled to myself thinking, well a lot of pi$$ has gone into his mouth, but a bit of $hite just came out of it.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Agreed Johnno, he would be lucky to get a contract worth 200 000 in the NRL now, to add to this he is too old to be making a return to the NRL on a full time basis, so any offer he got would be similar to Benji Marshall's one year deal with the Broncos and he only played 7 games for them this year. Dowling believes Carney is still capable and worthy of playing in the NRL. “Everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves and he’s served his penance and I’ve always said he’s only ever damaged himself, never hurt anyone else,” Come on Greg, the man he had three clubs sack him, how many more shots doe this clown deserve, he is not Charlie Sheen.!!!! Plus the if the pride is still is a feeder club to the Cowboys, I doubt that they would have anything to do with him.
Johnno
Guest
Can't believe at this stage of his career Todd Carney would turn down big money like that and not play in England..