With the memories of Matt Lodge’s return pushed far to the back of any rational thinker’s mind, we can only do what naturally comes to most NRL supporters. That’s batten down the hatches for our next round of media sensationalism!
Before I start, I’m going to predict a few things I think will happen in the next few weeks. Kim Jong-Un will have mysteriously won another six Winter Olympic gold medals according to the North Korean Media. A male in Hollywood will be accused of inappropriate conduct.
And a very select few people will go full quasi-ruler, telling any poor soul that will listen that Todd Carney shouldn’t be allowed to play NRL again.
While there have been many people indorsing Carney’s return, there has been a tiny minority that simply can’t force themselves to.
Ruan Sims was quoted on 100% Footy as saying “He’s a nice guy, I’ve met him before, I’ve had some things to do with him and he’s been very genuine and very gentle towards me but at the end of the day our game is our business.
“If we start bringing that into disrepute as players then we are actually reducing the amount of money that comes into the game, reducing the amount of money of commercial sponsorship that comes in.
“And also mothers with small kids wanting to play footy, they’re not going to get them to play footy if they see that at the top level.
“So for me personally, I say no.”
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, but this one has confused me. Some things were correct, some I think not:
Carney is a “nice guy” – agreed.
“Our game is our business” – strongly disagree.
“They’re not going to play footy if they see that at the top level” – strongly disagree.
I have never met Carney, nor have I heard a bad word about him as a bloke.
If our game is our business, South Sydney would’ve never been given the boot in 1999. Neither would the Gold Coast. Neither would the Bears.
And lastly, try telling a troubled child that loves footy that there isn’t room to turn their life around while playing the game they love.
The problem with Carney is he’s almost obnoxious in the fact he has such talent, yet has regular brain explosions. Has he trafficked drugs? No. Has he punched and stomped on the head of a man lying prone on the ground? No.
We’ll leave them sorts of kerfuffles to Danny Wicks and Russell Packer. Who, by the way, were welcomed back to the NRL.
And while Carney has been in the news more than Russel Packer has been out of shape, he is certainly no monster. More to that, he seems to be a reformed man from all reports abroad.
Most people watch NRL for the entertainment, with personal opinions of how a player should be/should not be off the field put to the side.
Acceptance is the key here, as we are all human beings, and making mistakes or bad decisions certainly isn’t exclusive to professional athletes.
So unless you have can cross your fingers and toes while telling people honestly that you have never made a (or even multiple) silly decision in your life.
Please eat some humble pie, hope this very talented footballer plays NRL again, and remember that while you can lead a horse to water… you can’t make it think.
Ben
Roar Guru
Fair enough with your comparisons BigJ. With exception to the salary though, what crimes did the Bulldogs commit in 2002 and 2004? I'm confused. I also back Andrew Johns 100% too. Johns - like all human beings - is human first and foremost. Honestly, how dare any person that simply doesn't understand what he may have been going through, judge him. I certainly don't believe he should be an immortal, on statistics alone. But give the man a break.
Ben
Roar Guru
Haha
Big Daddy
Guest
My last fight I won by 100 yards.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Plenty of laws broken,plenty of incidents,and more than plenty of chances. NRL needs some standards,and not bring allow him back.
Nat
Roar Guru
I didn't want to get involved in the other argument but I done a bit of 'precedent' research. A Roar article written by Tim Prentice, Oct 2013 about Burgess and his thug ways including the Squirrel grip - No word from Tim. July 23 '16, directly after SoO 2, the game where Sam Thaiday gave Reynolds the 'ol up-n-under, causing a Qld penalty, Tim wrote a piece condemning Gallen and many others for their failure. Only one Roarer bought up the issue, never replied or an issue raised. If it's not Raiders it doesn't matter.
Ben
Roar Guru
How are three laws in two incidents "plenty"? These were events from 9 YEARS ago btw... Christ, some people can hold a grudge! Haha
Ben
Roar Guru
I was a handy footballer before I was an average boxer mate. Haha
kk
Guest
Fantastic. Incredible. You can produce a limerick with the same skill required to construct exceptional argument. Thanks to you and Tim for one of the best discussions ever to make it into the sporting print arena/ring.
The Barry
Roar Guru
There once was a CEO named Todd Who spoiled the child by sparing the rod One particular troubler Busted doing the bubbler Won’t be allowed to return, my God
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good as gold BJ Sorry, it was the line below that confused me: “I find it a little disturbing that a man that is nothing more than a three time idiot whom has broken no laws cant get a shot at redemption”
BigJ
Roar Guru
how are you Barry? keeping well?
BigJ
Roar Guru
when did I say that I think he should get back in the NRL? I said that he cant get to get back in, I did not offer a personal opinion, read Barry. Being back home in QLD is great, could not stand the NT, happy never to go back
The Barry
Roar Guru
35 minutes for you to do a 180 on an issue...is that a new record? How's life back in Queensland treating you?
BigJ
Roar Guru
they both should not be able to play, tar them both with the same brush.
Wayne Turner
Guest
"has broken no laws" - WRONG. Carney has broken plenty,from drink driving,refusing to pull over when directed by police,to property damage that lead to him being banned from Goulburn for a year. He has has plenty of chances and blew it. He shouldn't be given yet another. Also,I wouldn't have allowed Lodge back,for his offense,cause he also was violent to an ex,which included an AVO against him. He has shown no remorse to change his life,except to play football.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Yeap.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Hey mate, nice article. Didn't know that you had such a vested interest in the NRL, I was expecting an article about Browne v Whyte or Joshua v Parker or something, well maybe next week. But NRL is a fun old game. I find it a little disturbing that a man that is nothing more than a three time idiot whom has broken no laws cant get a shot at redemption (fair enough he has had three) yet a man that violently breaks into someone house, bashes the father infront of his family, gets charged and a criminal convinction and ordered to pay 1.6 million in compensation to the family, gets other chance at the NRL and gets defended by all in sundry (even if they say that if he cant work he cant pay the debt. well too bad Lodge work on the docks or something you don't have to be in the NRL to pay your debts). But then the NRL has a history with glorifying or smoothing over when people do bad things. Case and point, the Bulldogs 2002 and 2004 seasons and Joey Johns named an immortal. That would never happen in any other sport.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I would have you agree with that statement, even if they bring in Carney what would the cowboys do with him???
Adam
Guest
I think you'll find Carney's list of indiscretions is a lot longer than what you've made out. I also find it remarkable that you think the biggest offence is a guy filming the incident, not Carney urinating in his own mouth. The guy burnt his bridges long ago. Carney is a repeat offender, the others were once off mistakes and they learnt their lesson. Carney never learnt his lesson that's why he was sacked by 3 clubs and punted overseas.
Busty McCracken
Guest
Well I mean there's always going to be a 'few' exceptions to any rule, but any man who claims he doesn't do the bubbler on the regular is straight up lying.