As a hardcore Canberra Raiders supporter, these are words I never thought I’d type: give Todd Carney another go.
The club that gives him that chance will be greatly rewarded.
The tattooed boy from Goulburn has been on a long and ugly trip through the world of rugby league since he debuted for the Green Machine in 2004.
While tough love from his coaches early on was sadly lacking, Carney has no one to blame but himself.
Now 31, he is desperate for one more go in the NRL to try and claim the last flickers of light of a career that could have been great – if he could have just stayed off the grog.
He had to go from Canberra back in 2008. We wanted him to stay and become the star we knew he could be, however when CEO Don Furner Jr pulled the pin in late July of that year, it was the right thing to do.
I said as much to Furner before the following weekend’s game and told him he had my support.
“If we win today then I’m right, if we lose then I’m wrong,” Furner replied to me with little joy. He hadn’t wanted to do it either.
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It was horrible watching Carney win the Dally M Medal with the Roosters in 2010, but his subsequent sacking from the club in 2011, followed by the bubbler incident in 2014 with the Sharks, suggested we’d been better off without him.
Carney would go down as a cautionary tale in the annals of rugby league. Talent wasted. Potential unrealised. A wild child who just couldn’t help himself.
However, my mind started to shift on this firmly held view a few months ago, when Raiders captain Jarrod Croker got married.
There, in the photos of the wedding party, behind Croker and his beautiful wife Brittney, was Todd Carney.
While Croker is four years Carney’s junior, the two are close mates – something I didn’t know until that point.
We’ve all heard the stories told about how recidivist miscreants like Carney are actually “a really good bloke who just gets a bit loose on the grog”. When I hear those tales I’ve always thought, “Yeah right. Sure they are…”
However, if a man of Croker’s calibre is prepared to openly vouch for Carney, then we should be listening. I certainly am.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville)
I’ve met a lot of complete assholes in my two decades in the rugby league media. Toxic, misogynistic, bully-grubs who think that because they have status in the NRL, they can do as they like abound. So when you meet a good person – someone of real integrity – you notice quickly.
I’m fortunate to work with the not just the best human ever to lace up a boot, but also the best man I know in general, Alan Tongue. The likes of Hazem El Masri, Wayne Pearce, Brad Clyde, Billy Moore, Sia Soliola, Trent Merrin, Jason Nightingale, Tim Mannah, Ivan Cleary and Petero Civoneceva are really good humans too.
Add Jarrod Croker to that list. For a man of 27, he is overloaded with integrity. A lot of people questioned why when he was made captain of the Raiders, but not one person who knew him did. He’s the sort of guy you want setting the standards and direction of your team.
So if he says that Carney should get another go, then the idea must have merit.
Talking to Carney, you know that he is desperate for one last chance. He is all too aware of how badly he’s played his cards, but if he can get just one more go to show his wares, he is determined to get it right.
The NRL is likely to register any contract put before them (assuming conditions are met) too.
“I just need a club to give me a chance,” Carney told me.
The NRL’s former bad boy could be edging towards a return. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
And why not? Three years out of the NRL is a heavy penalty, especially when Matt Lodge is getting another chance.
Further, Russell Packer just this week was given co-captaincy of the Wests Tigers, in one of the greatest turnarounds I’ve ever seen.
Jailed for a violent assault, Packer has now earned a university degree, done community service work – voluntarily – and has improved so much as a human that aforementioned NRL good guy Ivan Cleary has placed him in a leadership position.
If we can allow Lodge and Packer – after their violent crimes – to have another chance and they become better humans because of it, then surely we should give Carney one more go to rage against the dying of the light.
I want a club to give Carney one more shot at redeeming himself.
Make no mistake, it would be his last chance. If he so much as looked at a stubby or even farted in the tunnel, he’d be gone. But I reckon, while a slow learner, the kid from Goulburn really understands now what is expected of him.
I want him to have a chance at redemption. I want to see it. And I’d be happy to see the prodigal son once more in lime green.
He just needs the chance.
elvis
Guest
Wasn't it Hunt? and not Hodges? Hodges was a cleanskin off the field.
kimboinbrisbane
Roar Rookie
It seems to have been missed that Todd Carney has been signed by Cairns based Queensland Cup team the Northern Pride for at least the 2018 season. I suspect it probably goes without saying that the Cowboys will be keeping a very close eye on Todd. Should he be allowed to return to the NRL? Yes I think so. He has committed some unsavoury acts along with a few crimes, but if the NRL can see fit to allow Russell Packer back into the game after what he did, Carney should also be allowed back (again). All of his indiscretions appear to have taken place whilst under the influence of alcohol, so if he hasn’t already done so, he probably needs to swear off the grog while he is in the public eye
Cowboyfan
Guest
Todd Carney; a very brave and influential player - and my special guest here today. Perhaps his career is not quite dead?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I’m sure it’s already been pointed out but people have to understand the NRL will not stand in the way of any team signing Carney. It’s the teams who don’t want to take a punt on him. Either because they don’t want to risk the possibility of his drunken antics, or after his injury riddled super league run they don’t see value in him, or because they simply don’t like the bloke, I don’t know. This constant rhetoric that the League itself is against him is simply untrue. Are there sides he’s capable of playing for? Yes. Manly for one probably need a player like Carney more than most atm, but that’s their decision. Not the public’s, not the NRL, and not the odd online opinion writer. (No offence intended) We can’t force a team to take a punt on someone just because we think he deserves a second chance. From what I’ve heard there were a lot of other things happening in Cronulla that were covered up as well, and if they’re true you can be sure the other 15 clubs have heard of them too.
Big Daddy
Guest
Lodge scares me let alone a 10 yr old.
Big Daddy
Guest
The agnostic Christian. Is that the same as "thank God I'm an atheist" That looks like it went through to the keeper with a few on this site.
Big Daddy
Guest
Matt, Very perceptive of you with my allegiance . If wayne would take lodge you can't rule Carney out. Met wayne a couple of years ago when he was at Newcastle and I wouldn't put it past him. Only thing against him is age.
thomas c
Guest
Have to agree. Before his last blowup, I had to begrudgingly admire his skill. But clubs would be wary. I tend to think one or two players at a time who are 'projects'. If you have more, then they risk being bad influences on each other. A lot of clubs' cultures are probably already at risk. It is, however, possible that players could assist each other with mutual recoveries.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The guy is a player gifted with natural football talent. Yep send him to a club, whose CEO sleeps with one eye open and one ear at the ready for the midnight phone call announcing Todd has done................ Sponsors leaping for joy, fans saying great publicity for the club. Just how many chances does a player get, and BTW I agree the incidents involvling Packer etal were far worse, but they are one offs. in the main.Just how many clubs you ned too get a chance at, when you let the prior ones down? Although I do believe Lodge should not be playing in the. NRL full stop. The litany of incidents even to the extent of being person non grata in his home town, the golden opportunities provided by business people in Cairns and by the Roosters,to get his life back on track,were temporary. I remember when he came to Cronulla he appeared back on track.I saw him at the Cronulla shopping centre,munching on a burger, and said to him "keep up the good work mate".He was killing it ATT playing for the Sharks. We then know what happened since.Also the Shark's then CEO stuffed up the sacking ,adding to the debacle. The bubbler incident was hardly a crime,but it was in a public toilet and further enhanced the "bogan" image we as a code get accused of at times. Dugan has got his life back on track. iMO it's a God given talent that is wasted.NRL clubs are naturally hesitant to take him on.They rely on sponsorship,fan support and do their ;evel best to try and create a civilly responsible environment. That's my rant.
Matt
Guest
Big Daddy I would have him at the Broncos in a heartbeat. Wayne tried to get him to the Knights after he was sacked by the Roosters, but he went to the Sharks instead. Milford and Carney would be a great combination at the Broncos. His kicking game would greatly improve the Broncos game management. His left to right pass is one of the best so whoever is playing right centre would be getting great service from his half, creating a lot more breaks down that side of the field for the outside men, instead of hitting Gillett on the straight line all the time.
Mushi
Guest
Yes, never said he hadn't. But to say he's only had misdemeanours is completely bull. The guy has criminal convictions. As I said above if I was in charge of a veteran team I'd roll the dice. But I think if you let him near a young team you're inviting trouble.
Mushi
Guest
The speeding thing is a beat up, one is a traffic offence one is an actual crime
BA Sports
Guest
Maybe a sponsorship with Evian or something? I would suggest Lemon-Lime Powerade, but I wouldn't want the conversation to become distasteful...
Mike from tari
Guest
With Lodge & Packer I keep thinking about their victims, in particular that little boy that Lodge managed to scare the shit out of, those two should never have been allowed back in the NRL. Carney is just a spoiled brat but they should give him another shot because he would only last 12 months before he will bring the game into disrepute again.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Let him go lay bricks I reckon.
Big Daddy
Guest
Same old story from all the posters. Give him a second chance but not at my club.I
Michael Clare
Guest
I agree, Tim. Great article. Todd Carney has been in the football wildness for long enough, and I for one would love to see him have one final chance in the NRL. I think Todd has paid the price for his indiscretions. He was a very talented footballer in his prime and the right club environment and coach might see something of a "happy ending" to a tumultuous career of highs and lows. I know that Manly supporters have been talking for months about him joining the club on the supporter's website and on paper it looks like a good fit. Trent Barrett's coaching style would suit him and I think Cherry-Evans would be a perfect foil for Todd and a great role-model re fitness and commitment. The only question is whether he's still able to perform at the highest level or not. If not Manly, then I hope some club picks him up and the NRL shows just a hint of compassion in allowing him to play. He is not a danger to society, just a bloke who has struggled with alcohol in the past. The NRL must be seen to be consistent ... he is not the only player who has embarrassed himself publically under the influence of alcohol.
hopeless knight
Guest
Hi Tim , how many clubs did he get sacked from or released due to his behaviour?
Dutski
Roar Guru
I read it as 100% better than Mr Lord
Nat
Roar Guru
yeah, not my most coherent sentence. Hopefully my new BFF got the point.