Todd Carney has had enough chances, says his former captain Alan Tongue
TODD Carney and Nate Myles will know in the next 48 hours if their seasons at Sydney Roosters are over after they broke a team alcohol ban a fortnight ago.
Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said the players would appear before the club board today or tomorrow to explain the breach.
The third player caught out in the early hours of Monday morning last week, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, returned to football on Saturday night, scoring a try in the Roosters' 36-25 win over Cronulla. He has been suspended for one match but could face further penalty.
Noyce would not comment on reports Carney might be allowed to play for Super League club Catalans in France for a season to escape the spotlight, while he deals with any personal issues such as anxiety and alcohol. The sabbatical is apparently an idea of Roosters chairman Nick Politis as Catalans is coached by former Roosters assistant, Trent Robinson _ a good friend of Carney.
"Nick and I speak regularly. As far as Todd goes we agree he has a case to answer with us first and that's our only focus at the moment," Noyce said. "Obviously Todd has a contract with us for the remainder of this season and next season. He's in breach of that contract so he needs to answer that and we'll see where things go."
Carney's former club captain at Canberra, Alan Tongue, said Carney knew his actions would have consequences. "Toddy is at an age now where he knows right from wrong. He's had enough chances," Tongue told ABC Radio yesterday. "He's got to draw a line in the sand, but how many lines do we have to draw before something comes down hard on him?"
Carney spent five years in the NRL at the Raiders but had his contract torn up for several breaches, most of which involved alcohol. He then had a year of park football in far north Queensland, returning late in 2009 to take up the Roosters contract. Last year he won the Dally M Medal.
Carney was swamped with messages on Twitter on Saturday night from fans pleading for him to stay. "Thanks everyone for your their support," Carney tweeted. "But as I've said, it's not up to me now. Thanks to the loyal Roosters fans for their support."
Regardless of the Roosters' decision, Tongue said lessons should be learned. He said young pro footballers should be given other life experiences such as part-time work or study. "We took (Toddy) out of the system at the Raiders here, I don't think he even got to finish school."
As for Myles, 26, he is into his final weeks with the Roosters anyway after signing with Gold Coast. He is required by the Titans for 2012 pre-season training starting on November 1.
Chief executive Michael Searle said he would not be pushing for Myles to arrive earlier, even if the Roosters suspended him for the final two matches this year. He has already been stood down for two.
