Pride backing NRL interest in Carney
RUGBY LEAGUE NORTHERN Pride chairman Tony Williamson says it would “hurt” to lose prized recruit Todd Carney before the QRL season starts but the club won’t stand in his way should an NRL team come calling.
Manly are in the hunt to find a suitable playmaker to work alongside Daly CherryEvans after releasing Blake Green to the Warriors and missing out on Mitchell Pearce.
While Manly coach Trent Barrett has not ruled out making a play for the Pride’s new half back, Williamson said he believed the Sea Eagles were most likely interested in outof-favour Newcastle Knight Trent Hodkinson, with whom Carney shares a manager.
“I’ve talked to Todd and I’m confident that it’s more about Hodkinson,” Williamson said late yesterday afternoon.
“It would hurt (to lose him) but we’ve got to welcome this. Because it’s not about us, it’s about Todd Carney going to the next level.
“We are a pathway club. If we can play a role in getting Todd Carney back to the NRL, we’ve done our job.”
Carney’s manager David Riolo said the chances of his client moving to Brookvale before the start of the season were slim.
“I don’t think it’ll happen, mate and I haven’t heard from him (Barrett),” Riolo said.
“I’m not really sure why people are talking about it.”
Despite signing a threeyear deal with the Pride, CEO Greg Dowling said last month he expected Carney to return to the NRL before his playing days were done.
“I’d like to see him back in the NRL. I think he has a lot to offer,” Dowling said.
“I’ll be surprised if he isn’t there at the end of the year.”
Williamson said Carney had already made a big impression on the club, mentoring the Pride’s talented young halves this preseason.
“If it happens, it just opens the door for another kid to go along,” Williamson said.
“There are some outstanding halfbacks running around.
“Todd’s done everything right and he’s a complete professional in the way he conducts himself. Just his habits, even though he hasn’t had the chance to show what he can do on the field, he’s made a big difference already.”
If Carney stays this season, Williamson said it wouldn’t be long before the former Dally M medallist was back in the national competition.
“We sort of half expect it’ll happen next year when people see him on the field,” he said.
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“We haven’t talked to him at all – but we will keep our eye on him. There are things going on everywhere,” Barrett said.
“I am certainly aware that Todd is there but where he sits with the NRL, I’m not too sure.
“There are a fair few players being thrown at us at the moment.
“We have a number of options but we’re not in a hurry because we need to get the right fit.
“No one has their full squads back until after Christmas anyway. Lachlan Croker is going really well at the minute with Cherry. I have two very good young halves here in Croker and Jackson Hastings.”
Several halves – including Brock Lamb and Trent Hodkinson – have been linked to Manly in the past fortnight.
Given the chopping and changing of players, only a few teams in the NRL have a settled spine at this time of year.
A string of off-field indiscretions prompted the NRL to cancel Carney’s registration.
He was sacked by the Sharks in 2014 after a photo emerged of Carney urinating into his own mouth.
Carney’s Pride deal is said to be around $100,000 a season.
The former Raiders, Roosters and Sharks star played for Atherton Roosters in the local Cairns competition during 2009.
I’VE TALKED TO TODD AND I’M CONFIDENT THAT IT’S MORE ABOUT HODKINSON