Carney’s loss not massive

NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams insists Todd Carney’s absence will have little impact on their return to the Intrust Super Cup this weekend with a Far North junior set to fill the shoes of the NRL half.

As expected, Jordan BiondiOdo will get first crack at the vacant halves spot, wearing No.7 while Jake Clifford reverts to what was Carney’s five-eighth position when the Pride take on Redcliffe Dolphins on Saturday.

Williams said Biondi-Odo had stepped up to another level in response to being behind Clifford and Carney as he aims to live up to his position in the leadership group.

“We started him two weeks ago against Sunshine Coast, he did a good job in the first 25 so I’m happy to give him the opportunity but in saying that he’ll earn his right to wear the jersey,” he said. “He’s grown as a person and a footballer as well so it’s good to see and obviously his chance comes Saturday arvo.”

Williams said Carney had “a bit” to do with Biondi-Odo’s improvement in game management and his kicking game, which he hoped would continue consistently for the rest of the season.

He said the players simply had to move on from Carney, who brought experience but was “up and down” as he failed to live up to the off-field hype.

“Toddy wouldn’t mind me saying this, he wasn’t setting the world on fire up here,” Williams said. “What’s panned out in the last couple of weeks is what’s happened to him and the guys just need to know the responsibility on everyone making sure we put in our best performance.”

Four forwards have been named to fill the bench in a bid to combat a sizeable Dolphins forward pack including exPanther Sam Anderson.