Raiders in failed bid for Barrett - Bulldogs emerge in race for Carney's prized signature
David Jean
The Canberra Raiders confirmed yesterday they attempted to lure former Test five-eighth Trent Barrett to Canberra for the 2009 season as speculation grows their key playmaker Todd Carney will sign with a rival NRL club.
The Canberra Times can reveal the Raiders approached Barrett's manager Wayne Beavis about a possible move from English Super League club Wigan.
Beavis told The Canberra Times he had responded to the Raiders in writing two weeks ago, saying Barrett was contracted to Leeds until 2010 and that the former St George-Illawarra star was not interested in a move to Canberra.
"The Raiders floated an idea but he's under contract," Beavis said.
"I had an approach from them to see what his contractual position was and I told them he was under contract and that was it. I confirmed that in writing to them."
The Bulldogs surfaced yesterday as yet another club keen for Carney's signature.
It is not known whether the approach to Barrett was made as a direct result of the uncertainty over Carney's future.
Barrett's mother lives in Canberra and the Raiders offered him the use of their Bruce facilities while he was visiting her over Christmas.
He played seven State of Origin games for NSW during an NRL career that spanned 11 years before joining Wigan at the end of the 2006 season on a three-year deal.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner confirmed he had expressed interest in the 11-Test veteran, who is still just 30.
"His mum lives in Canberra so I just tossed it up," Furner said.
"It was a long shot.
"He was looking at training somewhere when he came back to visit her at Christmas and I said 'if he needs to train somewhere he can train at our gym'.
"He never took it up."
Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that the Bulldogs had tabled an offer to Carney, who is yet to decide on his future beyond 2008.
Carney has been tipped to link with his former Raiders coach Matthew Elliott on a long-term deal with Penrith.
Carney's mentor and former Raiders five-eighth Jason Smith confirmed the 21-year-old had called him seeking advice after both Penrith and the Bulldogs made him offers.
"He was in a quandary," Smith said.
"I just told him it is a career. It is not going to last forever. I just said make sure you do it for the right reasons."
The Raiders want Carney to make a decision on his playing future before the start of the season, but he has indicated he may wait until as late as round five before signing a new contract.
Smith said Carney should not be bagged if he left the Raiders, who have stayed loyal to him during a string of off-field indiscretions.
"You could look at it both ways," he said. "It might be good to leave [Canberra] after he has had a bit of trouble down there and start afresh.
"But also Todd could be the face of Canberra for the next 10 years.
"Whether Todd leaves is totally up to him. I just hope it is for the reason that it is going to make him a better footballer."
Smith said Carney had to make a decision in the best interests of his career.
"Everybody understands now that clubs aren't loyal to players and players aren't loyal to clubs," Smith said. "This is a career and these blokes have got to do the best for themselves while they can. Everyone starts somewhere.
"You don't see many players like Allan Langer or Andrew Johns who play their career at one club."
After Carney received recent praise from former Test halfback Andrew Johns, Smith said he would "love" to see the youngster make his Origin debut in 2008.
"I reckon Todd will be the Australian halfback sooner or later," Smith said, who drew the curtain on his 17-year first-grade career last season.
"He's probably the best young talent I have seen going around in the game for a long time. He's just a bit unfortunate that JT [North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston] is there."
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/ne...ace-for-carneys-prized-signature/1191188.html
