TRAINEE COWBOY
CARNEY’S NRL CHANCE:
THE NRL has refused to reveal why Todd Carney has been granted approval to train fulltime with the Cowboys as the Integrity Unit mulls over registering his contract with the club.
The 31-year-old trained in Townsville yesterday in what football manager Peter Parr hopes will bring Carney “up to speed” with NRL demands.
While appreciative of some progress, Parr called for a final decision on the contract to be made soon for the benefit of all.
“It has been a drawn-out process, one that we’ve been very respectful of, but we think given the NRL has now had the contract for over a month, that we’re hoping they’re now in a position to make a decision. We have to get some certainty in the near future about whether he’s actually going to be allowed to play NRL for us or not and Todd needs that as well. That’s more important.”
The five-eighth received Paul Green’s training invitation on Monday night following an email last Friday from the NRL to Carney’s management approving the training request, which had been previously denied. Parr said he didn’t expect miracles from Carney on the training paddock.
“We understand that he’ll be behind the other players in terms of fitness ... but certainly there’s some similarities between how us and the Pride play, so that will benefit him.”
Parr will attend the Pride’s monthly board meeting today to finalise details of the arrangement, which is expected to be the same as any other contracted player allocated to Intrust Super Cup clubs.
Pride coach Ty Williams admitted Carney had “yet to set the world on fire” at QCup level, he was hopeful the step up in intensity would help the Pride.
“I think (NRL CEO Todd) Greenberg has said to them that they’re happy for him to train but there’s a still a few little things they’ve got to tick off,” he said.
It is understood the training request had been knocked back on multiple occasions before final approval was given last week.
“The Cowboys sought permission for Todd to train with the club. That request was approved,” the NRL said in a statement. “Discussions about the request for him to be registered to play in the NRL are ongoing.”
Carney will take his place for the Pride against Easts Tigers on Saturday.