Todd Carney says NSWRL banning his former Sharks teammate from coaching while on drug charges remain is unfair

A controversial ex-rugby league star says it’s unfair his former teammate has been banned from coaching grassroots footy as he fights drugs charges.

Todd Carney has spoken out about the decision to ban Michael Gordon from coaching grassroots footy while he faces drug supply charges.

Carney said the decision by NSW Rugby League to stop Gordon from coaching the Tweed Coast Raiders while his drug supply charges are before the court is unfair.

He says any player going through a rough patch in life should still have access to the game for the benefit of their health.

The pair played together for two years at the Cronulla Sharks.

Mr Gordon, his solicitors and the Tweed Coast Raiders were recently warned by NSWRL he was not allowed to coach until his court matters were finished.

Michael Gordon has been banned from coaching grassroots while his drug charges are before the court. Picture: Richard Wainright.

The NSWRL said any registration for a coaching position by Mr Gordon at any level would not be accepted.

Mr Gordon is set to face Murwillumbah Local Court on January 27 on two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, to which he has pleaded guilty, and two counts of taking part in supplying cocaine and MDMA, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Carney says Gordon needs to be involved in the game because players thrive on playing or coaching after retirement.

“If you know what the makeup of a rugby league player is you know that the only stuff on the player’s mind is when they are in their element which is rugby league,” Carney said.

“Michael (Gordon) would be a great coach - I think it’s unfair to pull him away from coaching.”

Todd Carney and Michael Gordon were teammates for two years at the Cronulla Sharks. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Carney speaks from experience when his NRL career was cut short in 2014 after a lewd video of him was shared online.

The 2010 Dally M Medal winner was sacked by the Sharks and never played in the NRL again.

Speaking from his own troubling times, Carney says he has learned from what he has done but he couldn’t imagine getting through the difficult period in his life without rugby league.

Today, Carney has been at the helm of the Byron Bay Red Devils for four years, a team in the same league as Mr Gordon’s Tweed Coast Raiders.

Todd Carney is head coach of the Byron Bay Red Devils

While Carney won’t comment on Gordon’s court matters, he sympathises with him and has called the rugby governing body to take into consideration what former NRL players need after their retirement.

“The players that do play at the highest level that come back to this division and offer help is what builds the game of rugby league - I think there should be more of it,” he said.

“I think there should be more reward for the clubs who make it happen instead of being punished.”

NSWRL declined to comment further and reaffirmed their stance against Mr Gordon.