Former Dally M Medal winner Todd Carney reaping the rewards from two years of sobriety

Todd Carney made his NRL debut when just 17-years-old and went on to claim the game’s highest individual honour. After a series of alcohol-fueled incidents crippled his career Carney made a call that changed his life.

Dally M champion Todd Carney has opened up about his journey to sobriety after securing his first coaching job with an NRL club.

Carney has been appointed a junior pathways coach at the Gold Coast Titans as he edges towards his two-year anniversary of quitting alcohol.

A former NRL bad boy that was involved in numerous off-field sagas, Carney is now living the clean life on a sprawling acreage in the Gold Coast hinterland.

He has never been happier or more content after emerging from a month-long stint in rehab as a changed man and securing a job with league nursery Keebra Park High School.

At 38 and a father to Lion, 4, and stepdaughter Baby, 10, Carney hopes to have more children with partner Susie Pearl and is intent on guiding the next generation of NRL stars.

“Life is really good,” Carney told this masthead.

“I’m coming up to two years’ sober which has obviously been a big change for me. It’s been a new journey, not so much a challenge.

“I feel like I can help in all sorts of areas which excites me. It’s been a long journey for me and I want to help the next kids coming through.

“When I look back, I missed out on a lot. If my one or two words can help their footy or life it will be a big benefit to them.”

Todd Carney has secured a junior coaching job with the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: DC Sports Photography.

THE REBUILD

A product of Goulburn in country NSW, Carney was such a prodigious talent that the Canberra Raiders signed him at age 12.

He made his NRL debut for the Raiders in 2004, aged 17, and quickly became a first grade regular before he was let go in 2009 following a string of incidents.

Carney revived his career at the Sydney Roosters in 2010 with a remarkable season that saw him crowned the NRL’s best player.

But he fell into trouble and moved to Cronulla in 2012 for three seasons before an infamous photograph on social media ended his NRL career after 166 games.

Carney finished his professional playing career overseas before returning to Australia and embarking on the next stage.

But it wasn’t until February 24 last year that he decided to make a phone call to a Gympie rehabilitation clinic that changed his life.

“There’s obviously been a few things throughout my career,” Carney said.

“I self-sabotaged and that affected my relationship with my partner which caused us to split for a little bit.

“For the first time ever I decided to get help and put myself into rehab for 30 days. I haven’t looked back since.

“It grows mental strength and resilience. Walking into rehab was a challenge in itself. You swallow your pride and step into a place where you know you need to change.

“The fear going in there was a struggle but when I walked out I felt like a new person and I’ve lived that life since. It made me accountable.

“It hasn’t been a challenge, but it’s something I have to stick to daily. It’s one day at a time, that’s how I live my life.”

Doors have started to open for Carney since giving up alcohol. Firstly with Keebra earlier this year and now the Titans after the club’s board and owners endorsed his appointment.

“So much has changed,” he said.

“The opportunity to work with the Titans is massive. It’s another step in the right direction.

“Two years ago I didn’t think I’d be working in an organisation within the NRL. Now I spoke at the NRL rookie camp a month ago and will potentially speak at all 17 clubs.

“It’s been a massive change and rewarding to get things along the way. They wouldn’t have come about without making changes.”

Carney has been coaching at Keebra Park High School. Picture: Glenn Hampson

THE OPINIONS

Carney’s pedigree as a footballer is not up for debate.

He helped the Roosters to a grand final and made a one-off Test appearance for Australia during his dream 2010 season before playing State of Origin for NSW (2012).

He understands some may question Gold Coast’s decision to appoint him to their junior program but isn’t fazed. He knows the person he is now.

“Peoples’ opinions of me don’t bother me,” Carney said.

“It’s not about changing opinions. It’s about being the best person possible.

“That’s what I try to tell people. If you can do that, things happen to you in good ways.

“I’ll always have my doubters and that’s fine. I know I’m living on the right path and helping as many people as I can along the way.

“I understand and have been in those difficult situations you don’t want to be in, but sometimes you fall into those situations in life.”

Carney had his best NRL season at the Roosters in 2010.

Despite all the setbacks over the years, Carney has continued to get back up again.

He briefly dabbled in concreting and is now coaching at Keebra and the Titans while parenting and launching a new podcast. He’s never stopped moving.

“That was grafted into me as a young kid – I’ve always worked hard,” he said.

“Football is not about money or fame. I loved the game and that’s why I’m still involved in it. While I have rugby league involved in my life, I’ll be a better person.

“It’s a privilege to play the game at such a high level and be around the people I have. That’s what keeps me going.

“While I’m disappointed in parts of it, I’m hell proud of some of the things I achieved throughout my career.”

THE NEXT GENERATION

An area the Titans have struggled in throughout their 17-year history is developing promising young halves into consistent long-term first graders.

Carney is hoping to change that as he begins working with the club’s 14-to-19-year-olds talents.

At this stage, he has no desire to coach an NRL team. There are more important things in his life.

“The Titans have got some really good kids coming through,” he said.

“It’s about teaching them the basics. They’ve got the skills but need to be prepared to go to the next level.

“Doing what I’m doing now in the game is enough. I’ve got a family at home that I need to be around.

“I want to have more kids and I know what it’s like to be in an NRL system. You spend a lot of time away from your family and at this stage I don’t want that.

“Family is the most important thing to me. My mum and sisters, and my dad when he was alive, are the most important people in my life.

“To now have my own family, I understand how my parents worked for me. If I can be half as good as them I would have achieved something as a parent.

“I’ve had so much support from family and friends. I know I’m on the right path when I’m doing things like talking at a rookie camp or getting an opportunity at the Titans.

“Everything is really good – I can’t complain.”

Originally published as Former Dally M Medal winner Todd Carney reaping the rewards from two years of sobriety