http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23355577-5001023,00.html
Online exclusive by Steve Mascord
March 11, 2008 12:00am
ON August 11, 1907, Dally Messenger's mum decided it would be OK if he switched to rugby league.
This week, two of the brightest stars in the code Annie Messenger helped launch with that decision will also seek maternal advice before the biggest decisions of their young lives.
Canberra's Todd Carney and Melbourne's Israel Folau have been asked by their clubs to make decisions on their futures before the weekend.
And just as Dally M consulted him mum, Leanne Carney and Amelia Folau will play key roles in deciding their sons' futures.
"I'm going to speak to Todd tomorrow and he's going to sit down and talk to his mother," Carney's agent, David Riolo, said last night.
"He always consults Leanne about his career and I'm sure he'll have a good listen to what she has to say this week."
The Raiders want an answer from Carney before Saturday night's clash with Newcastle. He has huge offers from Penrith and Manly, with the Bulldogs also interested.
The visit of league promoters J.J. Giltinan, Harry Hoyle and Victor Trumper to the Messenger boatshed at Double Bay on the second Sunday of August 1907 is the stuff of league legend.
The trio wanted Messenger for the new code and he is reputed to have said: "Go over and see my mother. I'm busy. Get her answer and it'll be all right."
Annie Messenger was impressed with the 50 pounds on offer to play against the All Golds and the money was actually given to her, allowing Dally to still claim to be an amateur.
With rugby union's biggest star on board, league's first season was guaranteed to attract public attention.
Folau could do something similar for the Bulldogs, Brisbane or Gold Coast if he decides to shift north.
His manager, Isaac Moses, told the Daily Telegraph his client may not be able to make a decision before kick-off in the Monday Night Football clash with the Warriors.
"It's a possibility, I'm not sure if it's going to happen," said Moses.
"We're talking about round one, making a decision for the year after. I know it will have implications for Melbourne and other players and other clubs but he's got to make the decision when he feels comfortable.
"If that's not this week but next week - well I'll be talking to Brian (Waldron, Storm CEO) about that."
Folau's parents are in Brisbane but Moses said "He didn't go away over the weekend, he stayed in Melbourne."
