Cowboy Carney on cards
Pride pathway to redemption
PAUL Green has left the door ajar for Todd Carney’s NRL resurrection with the Cowboys coach revealing he will consider picking the former Dally M star.
As Carney prepares to launch his latest comeback with Intrust Super Cup outfit Northern Pride, Green said the controversial playmaker had not been black- listed by the Cowboys.
The Northern Pride is one of the Cowboys’ affiliate clubs in the Intrust Super Cup, meaning Carney would be eligible for North Queensland selection if they required his services.
Green was not personally involved in the Pride’s negotiations to sign Carney, but says he would have no issue handing him a Cowboys debut in the event of a scrumbase injury crisis.
“The answer is yes,” said Green when asked if he would consider picking Carney. “Like anyone who is in our feeder system, they have the opportunity to come through and play for the Cowboys.
“We weren’t involved in the recruitment of Todd, that was a decision the Pride made.
“Look, there would have to be a lot of water to go under the bridge, but I’ll just pick the best players.
“I’d have to see where Todd is at, he would have to do a bit of training with us before I would even consider it.
“But the reality is he’s in our system and that’s how the feeder club arrangement is designed to work.”
Despite Green’s support, Carney faces an uphill battle to revive his NRL career at the Cowboys.
The NRL deregistered the former NSW Origin pivot in 2014 fol- lowing an off- field incident and would have to be satisfied Carney is a “fit and proper person” to approve any Cowboys contract.
Now 31, Carney is also well behind in the playmaking pecking order. Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan will be the firstchoice halves next season, with Kiwi whiz Te Maire Martin, who played pivot in last season’s grand final, another option.
Green has not forgotten Carney’s remarkable 2010 season, when he beat the likes of Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Darius Boyd to win the Dally M.
“There’s no doubt he is a talented player,” Green said.
“It just depends where he is at now in terms of how fit he is and how committed he is.
“I don’t know the answers to that because I haven’t spoken to Todd. But at his best he is certainly a gifted rugby league player.
“Unfortunately, he’s had a few off- field things that have got in the way of him having a consistent career.”