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Raiders want Carney by season's start
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
February 21, 2008
CANBERRA has moved to resolve the Todd Carney saga by requesting its star halfback make a decision on his future before the premiership begins next month.
Carney, who is being pursued by Penrith and the Bulldogs, has an offer on the table from the Raiders believed to be worth more than $300,000 a season. It is significantly short of what he can attract elsewhere.
The halfback has indicated he would prefer to wait until he has played some games this season before deciding where he will play next year.
But Canberra officials want the matter resolved by the middle of next month, creating a potential impasse between the club and player.
"We would like an answer before the premiership kicks off, which is in four weeks," Canberra general manager Don Furner said.
"We would just like to know. We don't want to drag it on for three months. We have a very good offer on the table."
The Raiders would be livid if they lost Carney given the amount of work they have put into the talented No7, who is expected to play representative football in coming years.
Carney has played all of his senior football in Canberra and the club stood by the 21-year-old last year when he was in danger of being jailed for driving offences, helping him turn around his life off the field.
While the Raiders are keen for Carney to resolve the situation, Panthers coach Matthew Elliott, who introduced the halfback to first grade during his time in Canberra, stressed that his club was in no hurry to force Carney's hand.
"The indications are from him that he just wants to play football and start the season," Elliott said.
"If I thought he was spinning me a line, I would certainly be hurrying him. We're not doing that."
Elliott used the situation to call on the NRL to review rules governing the player market.
The former Canberra coach said that the guidelines regarding contract negotiations placed undue pressure on players.
Under the existing set-up, which was introduced last season, players are free to negotiate with rival clubs at any time. However, their existing club has last right of refusal and rival bids must be tabled before round 13.
"Put yourself in Todd Carney's boots," Elliott said.
"He's having to consider what he's going to do in 2009 before he's kicked a ball this season. I just can't see how it can be a good thing.
"If someone can explain to me how that's the best way of handling player movement, I would love to hear it."
Elliott is a long-standing advocate for a transfer window, modelled on the approach adopted by soccer's governing body, FIFA.
P.S am I like breaking rules for posting the majority of articles??
By Brent Read and Stuart Honeysett
February 21, 2008
CANBERRA has moved to resolve the Todd Carney saga by requesting its star halfback make a decision on his future before the premiership begins next month.
Carney, who is being pursued by Penrith and the Bulldogs, has an offer on the table from the Raiders believed to be worth more than $300,000 a season. It is significantly short of what he can attract elsewhere.
The halfback has indicated he would prefer to wait until he has played some games this season before deciding where he will play next year.
But Canberra officials want the matter resolved by the middle of next month, creating a potential impasse between the club and player.
"We would like an answer before the premiership kicks off, which is in four weeks," Canberra general manager Don Furner said.
"We would just like to know. We don't want to drag it on for three months. We have a very good offer on the table."
The Raiders would be livid if they lost Carney given the amount of work they have put into the talented No7, who is expected to play representative football in coming years.
Carney has played all of his senior football in Canberra and the club stood by the 21-year-old last year when he was in danger of being jailed for driving offences, helping him turn around his life off the field.
While the Raiders are keen for Carney to resolve the situation, Panthers coach Matthew Elliott, who introduced the halfback to first grade during his time in Canberra, stressed that his club was in no hurry to force Carney's hand.
"The indications are from him that he just wants to play football and start the season," Elliott said.
"If I thought he was spinning me a line, I would certainly be hurrying him. We're not doing that."
Elliott used the situation to call on the NRL to review rules governing the player market.
The former Canberra coach said that the guidelines regarding contract negotiations placed undue pressure on players.
Under the existing set-up, which was introduced last season, players are free to negotiate with rival clubs at any time. However, their existing club has last right of refusal and rival bids must be tabled before round 13.
"Put yourself in Todd Carney's boots," Elliott said.
"He's having to consider what he's going to do in 2009 before he's kicked a ball this season. I just can't see how it can be a good thing.
"If someone can explain to me how that's the best way of handling player movement, I would love to hear it."
Elliott is a long-standing advocate for a transfer window, modelled on the approach adopted by soccer's governing body, FIFA.
P.S am I like breaking rules for posting the majority of articles??
