- NRL season kicks off on March 1 in Las Vegas
Fox League host and former footy star Matty Johns has revealed he believes 2010 Dally M Medallist Todd Carney can eventually become a future NRL head coach.
Carney is working with the Gold Coast Titans as a consultant for their younger crop of stars – and Johns recently became a part-owner of the club.
The 39-year-old was one of the NRL’s biggest superstars before being sacked by Cronulla in 2014 following an infamous ‘bubbler’ incident.
It wasn’t his first off-field drama, with his stints at the Raiders and Roosters both ending poorly.
But Johns, a premiership winner with the Newcastle Knights, has claimed Carney could coach at first grade level.
‘People might raise an eyebrow, but Todd Carney has completely turned his life around,’ Johns told SEN.
Todd Carney (pictured) has been tipped to become an NRL coach by Matty Johns
Newcastle Knights legend Matty Johns (pictured) strongly believes Carney is well on his way
Carney has experience working with young players, and enjoyed a role at rugby league nursery Keebra Park High School before earning a full-time position with the Titans.
‘He is outstanding in the way he can articulate, the rapport he has with young players and the way (they) respect him,’ Johns added.
‘I think one day, Todd Carney could be an NRL coach, that’s how good he is.’
Carney’s career, although quite successful at times, was colourful.
He played 221 first-grade games in the NRL and Super League.
The former Dally M Medallist graced the Origin arena for NSW, and also played one game for Australia.
But his career was marred by numerous off-field controversies.
He was sacked from the Raiders after multiple alcohol-related incidents, including a 2008 incident where he allegedly urinated on a man in a nightclub.
Carney (pictured, playing for the Roosters in 2011) has been praised for turning his life around following a long-standing battle with alcohol
The 39-year-old began his NRL career at the Canberra Raiders (pictured, in 2005)
Carney was let go by the Roosters after breaking a team-imposed booze ban.
His contract with the Sharks, his final NRL club, was terminated after a photo from a toilet went viral on social media.
The upcoming NRL season kicks off on March 1 with a double header in Las Vegas.
Kalyn Ponga’s Knights tackle the Cowboys (1.15pm AEDT), before the Bulldogs line up against the Dragons (3.30pm AEDT).
Both games will be played at Allegiant Stadium.
