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Roosters want Carney - if he cleans up his act
Greg Prichard | March 7, 2009
THE Sydney Roosters have emerged as the hot favourites to obtain the long-term signature of former Canberra halfback Todd Carney, who will resume his playing career in the Cairns league next weekend.
Carney, who was sacked by Canberra following repeated, alcohol-related incidents and has been barred from playing in the NRL this year, has been talking to a number of clubs through his manager, David Riolo. However, sources are adamant the Roosters are in the box seat to sign him following discussions between Riolo and the club's recruitment officer, Peter O'Sullivan. It is understood the Carney camp also considers the Dragons - with Wayne Bennett coaching them - to be a good fit for the 22-year-old halfback, but at this stage there is no indication they are prepared to make a play for him. The club's chief executive, Peter Doust, told the Herald they had "no interest" in signing Carney, who is said to be a seeking a deal worth more than $400,000 a season.
O'Sullivan told the Herald his club wanted to be sure Carney had put his off-field act together before tabling a formal offer.
"If we can see that he's done that, then, absolutely, we're interested," O'Sullivan. "He's a quality player and he's young, so he's got plenty going for him."
The Roosters have another of the game's most exciting young players, Mitchell Pearce, at halfback and O'Sullivan said he regarded Carney as a five-eighth rather than a No.7.
The Tigers are keeping Carney on their radar while they try to re-sign Benji Marshall. But should Marshall, as expected, commit to new terms with the club, the Tigers will drop off Carney.
"We would be too far apart in terms of what we could offer and the figure our discussions with Todd's manager tell us they are seeking," said Tigers chief executive Scott Longmuir.
Panthers chief executive Mick Leary said Riolo was well aware of his club's interest.
"I'm not sure where we are in the pecking order at this stage," Leary said.
Manly made an offer for Carney last year, but that club's chief executive, Grant Mayer, said the player was no longer under consideration.
"Now that Todd's future for this year is settled, there is no immediate hurry to make a decision on next year," Riolo said. "If the Tigers don't re-sign Benji, there's a hole there; if the Dragons need someone, Todd's available, I've heard the Panthers are keen I wouldn't say that any club is more chance than any other of signing him, at this stage."
Riolo said Carney's move to the far north Queensland town of Atherton, for whom Carney will play this year, is not an indication that he could join the Cowboys and play alongside Johnathan Thurston in the halves. "We're not looking at Todd," said Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr.
Atherton have ties with league legend Arthur Beetson, a former recruitment manager for the Roosters who now assists Warren McDonnell at the Tigers, but Beetson was not involved in the Carney deal. Nor is there any formal link between the Atherton Roosters and Sydney Roosters.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/roosters-want-carney/2009/03/06/1235842657984.html
Greg Prichard | March 7, 2009
THE Sydney Roosters have emerged as the hot favourites to obtain the long-term signature of former Canberra halfback Todd Carney, who will resume his playing career in the Cairns league next weekend.
Carney, who was sacked by Canberra following repeated, alcohol-related incidents and has been barred from playing in the NRL this year, has been talking to a number of clubs through his manager, David Riolo. However, sources are adamant the Roosters are in the box seat to sign him following discussions between Riolo and the club's recruitment officer, Peter O'Sullivan. It is understood the Carney camp also considers the Dragons - with Wayne Bennett coaching them - to be a good fit for the 22-year-old halfback, but at this stage there is no indication they are prepared to make a play for him. The club's chief executive, Peter Doust, told the Herald they had "no interest" in signing Carney, who is said to be a seeking a deal worth more than $400,000 a season.
O'Sullivan told the Herald his club wanted to be sure Carney had put his off-field act together before tabling a formal offer.
"If we can see that he's done that, then, absolutely, we're interested," O'Sullivan. "He's a quality player and he's young, so he's got plenty going for him."
The Roosters have another of the game's most exciting young players, Mitchell Pearce, at halfback and O'Sullivan said he regarded Carney as a five-eighth rather than a No.7.
The Tigers are keeping Carney on their radar while they try to re-sign Benji Marshall. But should Marshall, as expected, commit to new terms with the club, the Tigers will drop off Carney.
"We would be too far apart in terms of what we could offer and the figure our discussions with Todd's manager tell us they are seeking," said Tigers chief executive Scott Longmuir.
Panthers chief executive Mick Leary said Riolo was well aware of his club's interest.
"I'm not sure where we are in the pecking order at this stage," Leary said.
Manly made an offer for Carney last year, but that club's chief executive, Grant Mayer, said the player was no longer under consideration.
"Now that Todd's future for this year is settled, there is no immediate hurry to make a decision on next year," Riolo said. "If the Tigers don't re-sign Benji, there's a hole there; if the Dragons need someone, Todd's available, I've heard the Panthers are keen I wouldn't say that any club is more chance than any other of signing him, at this stage."
Riolo said Carney's move to the far north Queensland town of Atherton, for whom Carney will play this year, is not an indication that he could join the Cowboys and play alongside Johnathan Thurston in the halves. "We're not looking at Todd," said Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr.
Atherton have ties with league legend Arthur Beetson, a former recruitment manager for the Roosters who now assists Warren McDonnell at the Tigers, but Beetson was not involved in the Carney deal. Nor is there any formal link between the Atherton Roosters and Sydney Roosters.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/roosters-want-carney/2009/03/06/1235842657984.html
