Bennett a believer in giving out chances

MASTER coach Wayne Bennett says being deregistered is “not a life sentence” and he would welcome Todd Carney back to the NRL if the playmaker was given yet another chance.

Carney’s fate rests with the NRL integrity unit after North Queensland confirmed they were interested in signing the controversial half for 2018.

Carney, 31, has been sacked by Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla in an 11-season NRL career that was halted in 2014 by his deregistration over the “bubbler” incident.

The Cowboys made the Carney request after Brisbane copped criticism for signing Matt Lodge after he was deregistered and escaped a jail term over a 2015 New York drunken rampage.

Brisbane coach Bennett had no problem with Carney returning. “If the game thinks Todd is ready to come back then I am happy for Todd to come back,” Bennett said. “These aren’t life sentences. “These guys get wiped out for a period of time and they get the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves and come back. If he has done all that and has fulfilled the criteria the game wants, I am happy for him to play.

“He is a wonderful player and we would all love to see him play football.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green remained hopeful.

“He’s a talented player, that’s never been an issue,” he said of Carney, who plays for Cowboys feeder club Northern Pride.

“Todd Carney in a squad where his head is right and committed to what the club are all about would bring plenty to any squad. (But) there’s obviously a fair bit that needs to go into that before we get to that point.”

There was speculation the Cowboys would announce Carney’s one-year deal as early as yesterday, pending NRL integrity unit approval, but the NRL said no contract had yet been lodged to register Carney.