Carney for Origin? Not on my watch

Todd Carney was set to play State of Origin football this season and dare I say it, was set to play a starring role. However those plans went down the toilet when he fell off the wagon. Now he’s back in the NRL but that doesn’t give him a free pass to our greatest game of all.

No Origin, Todd

In case you missed it, the last chance specialist Todd Carney is back and ready to roll for the Roosters on Sunday. Carney has spent the last few weeks, I guess, rehabilitating himself from his most recent ‘alcohol-related incident’. Let me clear up a few things:

• With his track record, I thought Carney was a grub and wouldn’t have been disappointed to see him shipped off overseas never to return to the NRL again.
• Last year he won me back – he got off the drink, cleaned up his act, grew up and rightfully won the player of the year award. He turned a corner and showed me he wasn’t a grub.
• Then he fell off the wagon – REPEATEDLY. My opinion doesn’t matter, but I already gave him a third and fourth chance by changing my opinion on him last year.
• I understand how playing football can ‘help’ him beat his addiction, but it also helped caused it.
• I struggle though to understand how an alcoholic, with massive problems, can be ready to go back to work after only two or three weeks.
• With that said ...

I can accept Carney playing for the Roosters I guess, if playing will help him get better then fine. I hope he plays and plays well. If he falls off the wagon again that’s a topic for a different column.

But I don’t think he should be playing Origin this year.

Disrepute

I believe the NRL should step in (they won’t) and say yes Carney can play NRL as part of his rehabilitation, but he can’t play in our showpiece event. The fact of the matter is, illness or not, Carney has repeatedly damaged the whole game by his off-field antics. You can argue the seriousness of what he’s done etc, but he has damaged the game over the years and I don’t think he should be rewarded for that.

Let him get himself clean and sober and prove himself, again, to everyone. If he can kick the habit then sure, this time next year I’d be fine with him playing for New South Wales.

The argument ‘for’

Carney is the reigning Dally M Medallist – the highest individual honour in the NRL and he would have played State of Origin this season. Yes players make mistakes off the field and yes sometimes these shouldn’t be considered when selecting rep teams. But Carney is a repeat offender.

Queensland showed a bit of leadership two years ago by punting Nate Myles after he took a shit in a corridor. Myles was a Maroons regular and one of the best performers throughout this dynasty but he was dropped immediately. His indiscretion didn’t happen on an Origin watch but rather a Roosters one (hhmm).

Myles to his absolute credit repaired his image somewhat, stayed clean and forced his way back through his football. Carney must do the same.

The Competition

If I’m Jamie Soward or Jarrod Mullen I would feel disgusted if Carney gets selected ahead of me for Origin I. Soward and Mullen are both near the top of their games this season and are playing in good teams. Both have had plenty of years in the NRL in which neither has had a major (or minor) off-field incident.

Both guys deserve selection but only one will get a spot in the team. If I was either guy, I would be disappointed if I lost out to the other but that’s the way it goes. That’s what selectors are for. But if I lost out to Todd Carney, who’s seemingly spent more time getting in trouble than on the actual field this year ... I would be furious.

Carney will play

My gut feeling says Todd Carney will play a role for New South Wales in the 2011 State of Origin series. I don’t think it will be in Origin I but if the Blues get injuries, or they lose (again), he will be called upon.

I don’t agree with it, but there’s nothing officially stopping Carney from playing.

TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Brisbane, Melbourne, Tigers, Cowboys, Knights, Roosters, Manly
Last Week – 2/4
Total – 44/68 (65%)

Another week done and as always you can chat with me on email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), Twitter (@keyto316) or comment below.

Cheers,
Keyto