BUMP...
Todd Carney is currently 32, in Byron Bay with a local side (although not playing this year due to Covid..)
In my opinion we are at the lowest point of quality halves seen in the NRL era (wrote about this in the rating thread). All the greats have retired, there’s good ones, some promising coming through.. but aside from perhaps Benji Marshall (who I consider a “great” - but who’s great years are behind him), there are no great halves. Even on the MJ podcast this week, they genuinely struggled to name the best half in comparison to years gone by.
So - Todd Carney..
Carney is 32. His issues off the field are a long time ago (although many people will choose to use that against him still, fans included) - and anyone who has had anything to do with him is very complimentary of who he is these days.
I don’t consider him a true “great” but the bloke was a top quality half, a Dally-M winner..and the overall quality of halves in the current NRL crop is the lowest in its history. Surely there’s a club, or a number of clubs, who could use Todd Carney for the rest of this year, and maybe next season too. Dogs, Warriors, Titans, Broncos, Cowboys.... just throwing names out there.
The objections I see from others..
- His Age. Yep he’s 32 but while he mightn’t be as quick, he’s not been bashed up in his time away and would have at least 2 good years in him.
- His past. I don’t see this should be a worry. Packer, Lodge have come back in and proven themselves to take their chance without falling back into issues. Geez, Haraweira-Naera and Okunbor are now allowed back in. I don’t see Carney as a live hand-grenade he has been years ago. Which may be seen as issues such as..
- Sponsor concerns. Well a club should ask their sponsors of having carney is a concern to them. If Carney can help lift a low side to improve performance.. I can’t see why a sponsor would say no...
- Salary Cap. I don’t think he’d demand too much money. Just an opportunity to play NRL again. Even at $100k or less, the experience and value you’d get with Carney would be absolute money well spent.
- Does he want to return? Well he may well say no if asked in passing, but if a club knocked on his door, I think he’d bite their hand off for a shot.
So I really think this guy is genuinely worth getting to a club that has huge gaps in their halves, struggling - which there are many. His experience, value, and will to succeed back in the NRL - if given the chance - would be gold dust for a club out there.
Bring back Carney..
