Carney signing could split Souths and Norths

Tensions between South Sydney and their long-serving feeder club North Sydney look set to ignite over the potential signing of Todd Carney.

The Bears have been in negotiations with Carney, who is back in Sydney after abandoning a potential start with the North Queensland Cowboys to be closer to his ill mother.

Bear cheek: North Sydney's interest in Todd Carney has not gone down well at Souths.Credit: AAP

Souths have made it clear to Norths officials they do not want any association with Carney because of his lengthy history of off-field indiscretions.

So passionate are Souths about their stance, they are even prepared to cut all ties with Norths if the Bears press ahead with their plans to sign Carney.

Fairfax Media, however, understands that Norths are standing their ground and are still considering striking a deal with the 31-year-old.

Carney has already been passed on by Newtown, whose parent club Cronulla sacked the 31-year-old in 2014 over the notorious "bubbler" incident. He later settled on a payout from Cronulla over his dismissal.

Souths coach Anthony Seibold confirmed to Fairfax Media that the Rabbitohs had no interest in Carney.

"For a start our 30-man roster is full and underneath our two starting halves [Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker] we have Adam Doueihi, Dean Hawkins and Connor Tracey,'' Seibold said on Thursday.

"Those three players are all signed long term."

Bears boss Greg Florimo declined to comment when contacted about the Carney situation.

The former NSW State of Origin five-eighth is back in Sydney to be closer to his mother Leanne as she battles cancer.

The NSWRL have no issues with him playing in the Intrust Super Premiership should a club offer him a deal.

Souths have worked hard on creating a healthy culture at Redfern and the team harmony was there to be seen on Monday when the players piled into a bus to attend the funeral of Walker's mother.

Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and John Sutton are three of the game's most experienced leaders and do not suffer fools.

Forwards George Burgess and Angus Crichton both spoke on Thursday about how close the playing group was as they prepared to chase a third straight win against North Queensland on Saturday night.

"The squad is really tight, it's an easy place to be around. Everyone is laughing and happy and when you win life is always better," Crichton said.

"Even when the times are tough like they were at the start of the year we stuck together and worked our way out of it."

Burgess added: "Ever since I've been at the club we've tried to create a good culture. It's something 'Madge' [former coach Michael Maguire] brought in really well.

"It's important for any team to be close and outside of football be friends as well. Everyone cares about each other here."

Carney believes he still has something to offer the game and the NRL were prepared to allow him back via the Cowboys provided he met strict behavioural standards.

His mother said she hoped the NRL would give Carney another chance, making the argument that his past transgressions had only hurt himself.

"My son deserves another shot," Leanne Carney told Fairfax Media on Sunday.

"I’m not angry at all with the NRL or Todd Greenberg because I know Todd has had his chances. But he has learnt and he is prepared to do what it takes to make it back and make it good and make it right.

"I don’t quite understand why Matt Lodge is allowed to play for Brisbane and Todd still has to prove himself to everyone, and that he is still called a ‘bad boy’ every time that his name is mentioned by anyone.

"He has been silly, but he has never hurt anyone except himself.''

On Friday morning, Souths responded with a statement saying that there was 'no pathway' into the NRL for Carney at the Redfern-based club.