[sizeTodd Carney hoping to see out NRL career at Catalans Dragons[/size
AAP NOVEMBER 18, 2014 10[sizeCarney carries grudge, holds out hope[/size

TODD Carney has come to terms with the fact his NRL career is over, declaring his new home at the Catalans Dragons will be his last.

While his swift dismissal from the NRL still irks the exiled rugby league star, the troubled genius hopes it has led him to the club where he can finish his career and fulfil his dream of winning a title.

Despite carrying a grudge into his new surroundings at the Super League’s Dragons, the 2010 Dally M Medal winner insists there is no looking back at the saga which led to his sacking.

Carney was yesterday put through a training session with his new teammates before fronting a media conference for the first time since being photographed doing ‘the bubbler’, the final off-field act which led to his eventual sacking from Cronulla in June.

He did all of this in Perpignan, France, where he will begin life at the Dragons, who offered the former NSW five-eighth what must surely be his final lifeline.

Carney wasn’t eager to reflect on the actions which kick-started his French adventure, but made it clear that the manner in which he was dumped by Cronulla and the NRL left a sour taste in his mouth.

“I’ve always put my hand up,” he said.

“I’ve obviously done the wrong thing.

“I may not have deserved the punishment I got, but to be here in France ... I’m not looking back.

“That’s past me now.

“The goals I’ve set myself are pretty high and I’m confident that the Catalans are going to help me achieve that.”

The Dragons will be Carney’s fourth club, following sackings from NRL sides Canberra, the Sydney Roosters and the Sharks, and the 28-year-old is insistent he won’t be wasteful of what could be his last chance at playing professional rugby league.

The free-spirited playmaker, who built up a lengthy rap sheet during a chequered NRL career, said he planned to fully immerse himself in the French culture — and even vowed to learn the language.

That was an approach taken by Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who was in charge of the Dragons in 2011 and 2012 and played a significant role in convincing Carney that it would be the right place for him to rebuild his career.

“As soon as I get settled, I’ll be taking (French) lessons,” said Carney, who will live with former Cronulla teammate Ben Pomeroy while he finds his own place.

“I’ve signed a three-year deal and I’d like to finish my career here and go on longer, after the three years.

“I’m really going to get into that and the culture and make this my home for the rest of my career.

“I want to try and make this my home for the rest of my football career.”

If Todd Carney takes the straight and narrow, he could be eligible to play for France in the 2017 World Cup!

Now that could be interesting.

One way or Another his career will finish at Catalans.

Great choice of words in that article...

"the manner in which he was dumped by Cronulla and the NRL left a sour taste in his mouth"

If he could go back to the NRL he'd be outta France quicker than you could say 'brie'

yehright, keep his nose clean for a year and he'll be welcomed back in the NRL with open arms, whats the betting he has some get out clause in his contract?

I believe that Todd Carney is now motivated to play his best rugby league for Catalans, and bolstered by his former Cronulla team mate Benjamin Pomeroy being at the club, he will adapt to and enjoy his time in Perpignan. The NRL clubs will not be following closely his career at Catalans because most of their games are not shown in Australia. They will also not know of his off field progress. That means they will still be leary of trying to sign him.

All of this augurs well for Catalans chances of not only making the top 4, but even of winning silverware.

I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.

Quote: LifeLongHKRFan "I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.'" Agreed. I only worry about serious injuries messing up the best laid plans. I might add that if we get to see Catalans play Hull KR with both Todd Carney and Albert Kelly fit and playing, I would it imagine that it could be one of the most scintillating games of flashy attack that fans of either club have seen in a long time. It will be worth twice the price of admission. Here is the Catalans press conference, in both French and English language segments. Both Todd Carney and William Tonga seem to be highly motivated. At the end the Catalans Chairman Bernard Guasch raised the past experience with one-time exiled bad boy Greg Bird. Bernard Guasch said that the club never had any problem with Greg Bird, and in fact he was a charming person, and he expected the same experience with Todd Carney. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmbVzfXfmc

Quote: LifeLongHKRFan "I actually hope they do win some silverware soon. It can only be good for the game here and France.'" Agreed. I only worry about serious injuries messing up the best laid plans. I might add that if we get to see Catalans play Hull KR with both Todd Carney and Albert Kelly fit and playing, I would it imagine that it could be one of the most scintillating games of flashy attack that fans of either club have seen in a long time. It will be worth twice the price of admission. Here is the Catalans press conference, in both French and English language segments. Both Todd Carney and William Tonga seem to be highly motivated. At the end the Catalans Chairman Bernard Guasch raised the past experience with one-time exiled bad boy Greg Bird. Bernard Guasch said that the club never had any problem with Greg Bird, and in fact he was a charming person, and he expected the same experience with Todd Carney. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmbVzfXfmc

If he takes it seriously and gets back to his very best form he could be the best player in the world at the moment.

Gregory.

Beat me to it.

Gregory Bird it is.

But that press conference got me thinking about the attacking strike power of Catalans. If Todd Carney and William Tonga can get back to their best form, and if Scott Dureau can do the same, with Morgan Escare at full back, plus Michael Oldfield on one wing and Vincent Duport on another, then the Catalans backline would have to be the most powerful backline in Super League.

The Catalans backrow is already outstanding (Zebolon Taia, Elliot Whitehead, Jason Baitieri, Gregory Mounis, Louis Anderson), as are the hookers (Ian Henderson and Eloi Pelisssier) so it up to the front row -- Remi Casty, Olivier Elima, Julien Bousquet, Jeff Lima, and Antoni Maria -- to hold and make ground up the centre. If that happens then Carney, Tonga and Escare will run riot against all comers.

There are a lot of "ifs" here. But if everything comes together, the talent pool acquired by Catalans can win silverware.

Jeffrey Lima