Raiders plan to redeem Carney
Chris Wilson
Canberra Raiders halfback Todd Carney may have to work full-time and donate part of his NRL salary to charity as part of a radical plan to rehabilitate the wayward young star. The Raiders board will have an extraordinary meeting at The Mawson Club this morning to discuss the consequences of Carney's latest driving disaster, which resulted in a police pursuit through the streets of Bruce last Friday night.
Carney gained at least one powerful ally yesterday, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.
Raiders chairman John McIntyre revealed exclusively in yesterday's Canberra Times that his preference was to try and help Carney. Mr McIntyre said sacking Carney would be like rejecting a family member.
Mr Stanhope agreed yesterday.
"While there is no dispute that the charges Todd Carney faces are serious ones, and while he must expect to feel the full force of the law if eventually found guilty, I applaud the club for showing itself to be an employer capable of rising above the instantaneous, knee-jerk reaction of distancing itself from an employee who has allegedly failed to live up to society's expectations ... Let's not forget either that society has higher-than-normal expectations of its sporting stars, expectations that have little regard to age, immaturity and the pressures and temptations of public adulation ... I in no way condone the kind of driving offences for which Todd Carney has been charged - or indeed any behaviour that breaks the law. But I do believe that we are all capable of redemption, and that abandonment - by one's family, by one's employer, by one's community - denies individuals the opportunity to redeem themselves."
The Raiders have indefinitely suspended Carney and teammate Steve Irwin, both without pay.
Carney will also face three charges in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday: failing to stop when directed by police, negligent driving and driving without a licence.
The Raiders won't make the ultimate decision on Carney's future at the club until after a court ruling. The club is likely to fine Irwin, who was not charged by police.
Three of the nine-member Raiders board will not be available for today's meeting, including Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga.
Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins, general manager Don Furner, coach Neil Henry and manager David Sharpe will attend.
The Canberra Times understands one of the proposals for Carney's rehabilitation begins with Carney joining the full-time workforce and training after business hours. Carney would have to donate part of his NRL salary to charity. Carney, 20, would then have to meet a number of goals before he was allowed to return to Canberra's full-time NRL squad.
Furner would not confirm details of a rehabilitation plan.
"We'll discuss a few different options with the board. I can't say anything until the board talk about it," Mr Furner said.
"There's various different ideas. We've had a million different emails from people about what we should be doing."
Carney will be represented in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday by John Purnell.
Mr Purnell has strong links with the Raiders and helped clear Meninga of assault charges in 2005, resulting from a 2003 pub fight.
Purnell also represented Carney in the Goulburn Magistrates Court in March this year, when Carney was convicted of a second drink-driving charge. Asked if the Raiders would help fund Carney's legal costs, Mr Furner said "no comment".
Carney's manager David Riolo said he planned to meet Raiders management on Sunday and discuss the club's potential rehabilitation plan.
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