Roosters won't be blamed
10/8/2011 3:53 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
Related Links
Todd Carney's manager David Riolo concedes he can do no more for his troubled client and won't hold the Roosters to blame if they choose to sack the Dally M medallist following his latest off-field incident.
Riolo admits the Roosters have been more than fair with Carney, standing by the gifted five-eighth during his roller coaster two-year stint at the club.
Carney was issued a breach notice on Wednesday morning after violating a booze ban on a night out with Nate Myles and Frank Paul Nuuausala, with Roosters CEO Steve Noyce refusing to rule out sacking the 25-year-old.
The player manager is adamant he's done everything in his power to keep Carney on the straight and narrow but says it is ultimately up to him to make better choices.
"He doesn't obviously listen to everything people have told him, Todd's been given a lot of advice and he's got to choose how to react," Riolo told Triple M's
The Grill Team.
"I spoke to Todd at 4pm Monday afternoon and he was sober, he was fine, we arranged to have lunch this Wednesday."
"Then that he's gone out on the Monday night, I don't know how I can personally control that to be honest."
"I run a business, I look after players the best I can and Todd probably gets more attention than 80 percent of my players."
"I don't take responsibility for individuals' actions in any way shape or form."
"He's easily led, he's a decent kid but he's in his mid twenties now, and even if you're easily led, you have to take responsibility for your own actions."
Carney has a long history of alcohol-related discretions and was sacked by former club Canberra in 2008.
After a year in rugby league purgatory the talented playmaker made a fairytale comeback with the Roosters in 2010, only to slip back into old habits this season.
A drink-driving charge and a drunken night out with team-mate Anthony Watts, who has since been sacked, preceded his latest slip up on Monday night.
"In my personal opinion I don't think he is an alcoholic," Riolo said.
"I think he has some issues with alcohol which is endemic in society, and his seem to be very well documented."
"Whether he's an alcoholic, I wouldn't put that label on it, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out that whenever Todd Carney has had an issue alcohol has been involved."
"It's definitely a prevalent factor that's causing issues in his life."
Asked if he expects the Roosters to rip up Carney's contract when he fronts the Roosters board in the coming days, Riolo replied: "I don't know, the Roosters as a club have been very patient and helpful to Todd, he repayed them last year but the season this year has gone from good to worse."
Carney was forced to apologise to his team-mates on Wednesday morning but was shielded from the large media pack by the club.
While Myles was forced to run the gauntlet after being sent home by management, Carney conveniently snuck out the back door.
