Todd Carney

Todd Carney (born 2 June 1986), also known by the nickname of "Toddy", is an Australian former professional rugby league player who played in the 2000s and 2010s.

Playing in the S.G. Ball Cup, Carney's team won the premiership in 2003.

He has previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (2004 - 2014); and for the Hull Kingston Rovers, Salford Red Devils, and the Catalans Dragons teams in the Super League (2015 - 2018).

His main positions were as a or.

Carney was born in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia.

Carney played his junior rugby league for the Goulburn Stockmen, before being recruited to the Canberra Raiders' junior academy at the age of just twelve.

Carney made his National Rugby League Premiership début during the 2004 NRL season at the age of 17.

After a handful of appearances, he was named the Canberra Raiders' Rookie of the Year.

Canberra Raiders had signed Jason Smith and Sam Peez, who in 2005, helped shape Carney's game.

Despite only playing 11 games and scoring a single try.

Carney was rewarded with a starting position in the Junior Kangaroos' annual fixture against Papua New Guinea, where he tallied a record 20 points.

2006 was Carney's breakthrough year, where he cemented his position in the first-grade team, scoring 12 tries in 18 games.

Alongside Adam Mogg, he was the Raiders' leading try-scorer for 2006.

His long-range kicking game also became a feature of his play, going onto record numerous 40-20's.

Carney won three games in extra-time off 40-metre drop-goals, as Canberra finished in the top 8 of the National Rugby League (NRL) competition ladder.

He was again selected in the Junior Kangaroos' squad, where he was appointed as captain.

After an incident on 16 December 2006 in Goulburn, Carney was charged with drink driving and reckless driving.

Following legal proceedings in February 2007, Carney was suspended from driving a motor vehicle for five-years.

Taking on the role of in 2007, Carney earned three 'Man-of-the-Match' Awards from seven games.

However, his selection chances in the NSW Country Origin team were laid to rest due to another driving-related off-field misbehaviour.

On 18 May 2007, despite being disqualified from driving, Carney drove a Ute belonging to teammate, Steve Irwin.

Police began to pursue the vehicle after noticing the wheels of the Ute momentarily lost traction as it went around a corner.

Despite the police car having its sirens sounding and lights flashing, Carney refused to stop his speeding vehicle and led police on a high-speed chase through the back streets of the Canberra suburb of Bruce.

After turning into a dead-end street, Carney stopped the car and fled the scene on foot, leaving Irwin in the passenger seat.

Irwin told police that, "Carney was the driver".

Police went to Carney's home address, but he was not there instead the police found 23-year-old room-mate, Tom Witcombe, claimed that he had not seen Carney since earlier that afternoon.

The next morning, Carney turned himself into the police.

On Tuesday 12 June 2007, Carney appeared at the ACT Magistrates Court.

Carney pleaded guilty to the charges of failing to stop when directed by police, negligent driving and driving while disqualified.

Carney was the Raiders' top try-scorer for the 2007 NRL season.

Before the 2008 NRL season, Carney began modelling his game on Johnathan Thurston, in a bid to play representative football.

He was also being personally coached by his life and childhood hero, Laurie Daley.

His 2008 pre-season was eventful, as he became the subject of a three-way battle between Canberra, Manly and Penrith.

Though off-field misbehaviour continued to plague Carney's playing career and on 20 July 2008, it was "alleged" that he had urinated on a man in a Canberra nightclub, the man had to undertake counseling to overcome the trauma of the incident.

Carney was suspended from participating in league matches and training while the allegations were investigated.

Eventually he re-signed with the Raiders until 2010, with an option for a further two-years.

He was spared jail, but the Court placed Carney on a 12-month good behaviour order and banned him from driving until 2012.

He was also sentenced to 200 hours of community service.

The Magistrate warned Carney that if he were to commit another offence he would, "undoubtedly go to jail".

Controversially the Canberra Raiders club sacked Steve Irwin (who was not charged with any offences over the incident), but retained Carney.