Manly Sea Eagles interested in bringing Todd Carney to Brookvale
DEAN RITCHIE, The Daily Telegraph
37 minutes ago
MANLY could be set to offer Todd Carney an NRL lifeline after Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett refused to rule out making a play for the rugby league bad boy.
The Sea Eagles have not made any official contact with the 2010 Dally M Medallist but are studying a number of options, including signing Carney to fill a vacant halves spot next season.
Carney is yet to be registered by the NRL, another development Manly must consider.
The Sea Eagles missed signing Mitchell Pearce and granted five-eighth Blake Green an early release to join New Zealand Warriors.
Carney, 31, signed with Cairns-based Intrust Super Cup club, Northern Pride, in late October, rejecting a $1.2m, three-year offer from English club, Hull Kingston Rovers.
Carney has signed with Cairns side Northern Pride. Picture: Brendan Radke
Manly recruit Lachlan Croker has made an immediate impact at training since arriving at the club while Jackson Hastings is another candidate to partner Daly Cherry-Evans at the scrumbase next season.
For all Carney’s madness, Manly know of his unlimited natural talent.
Manly have about $800,000 free under the salary cap but Barrett won’t be rushed into any decision regarding his five-eighth position.
Barrett confirmed Manly’s interest in Carney.
“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.”
Full circle for Hodkinson?
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 to 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 Carins competition during 2009.
