Master coach Wayne Bennett has opened up about his attempt to sign Todd Carney, the reformed Sydney Roosters star who now threatens to shatter St George Illawarra's premiership dream.
Speaking for the first time about his pursuit of the one-time NRL pariah, Bennett revealed the primary reason why he offered Carney a lifeline, saying: "No one wanted to see Todd self-destruct."
The red-hot Carney looms as the man who could derail Bennett's quest for a seventh premiership when the Dally M medallist leads the Roosters into battle in the grand final at ANZ Stadium.
But Carney could have easily been wearing the Red V on Sunday after Bennett met the troubled pivot two years ago following his sacking by Canberra.
"If you're asking was I keen on him, yeah we were," Bennett said.
"He had offers on the table. It wasn't that other clubs weren't interested in him and we were one of the clubs.
"He was only young. At his age, I knew the sort of player he was. We had one conversation. Todd had other offers on the table and unfortunately it didn't work out, that was about it."
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With his NRL future in tatters after being jettisoned by the Raiders, Carney was summoned by his agent David Riolo in mid-2008.
Riolo had been in contact with Bennett, who agreed to meet Carney. The pair spoke about life and the opportunity to resurrect his career at the Dragons, but Carney's intended move to the joint-venture club collapsed when the Raiders played contractual hardball.
"Wayne came to my house, Todd came along and we had coffee in the lounge room and we had a good chat," Riolo recalled.
"Todd spoke to Matty Elliott (Penrith coach) and Tim Sheens (Wests Tigers) as well at that time, but Wayne was really keen and we all thought the Dragons would have been great for him.
"Todd would have come to Wollongong and played for Shellharbour, but Canberra blocked him from playing there.
"The first option was for Todd to train with Shellharbour, have a year with them, and then come into the Dragons NRL squad for this season.
"But the Dragons wanted to see how he went first, and then the Roosters came into the picture and there were some great synergies there."
Riolo said Carney's heart-to-heart with Bennett contributed to his renewed perspective on life.
"While things didn't work out, Todd was better for the meeting with Wayne," Riolo said.
"He's a wise man and you can tell by the way Wayne coaches - he doesn't just coach better footballers, he helps them with their lives as well
"The Dragons weren't the only club keen, Penrith, the Tigers and I think Manly also showed interest.
"In the end, it wasn't about the offers, it was finding the right fit for Todd and that happened to be the Roosters."
Despite emerging as the playmaker who could orchestrate Bennett's first NRL grand final loss, the Dragons coach says he can't be happier for Carney.
"There's some very special talents in this game and Todd is in that category," Bennett said.
"I just wanted to see a guy of his ability do well, no one wanted to see him self-destruct. He's had a lot of help, but he's worked hard as well. He got a chance to redeem himself and it's a great credit to him."
