NRL boss Todd Greenberg says the only comparison that can be made between troubled pair Todd Carney and Matt Lodge is how much rehabilitation they’ve done to return to the game.
Greenberg revealed on Monday that he has formally asked Carney and North Queensland to show the steps he’s taken to ensure there will be no repeat of his long list of misdemeanours.
“We have written to the club and to his manager putting in some steps and a process of which we will consider a registration,” Greenberg said on Monday.
“I understand that information will come through over the next week or so.”
Only then will he consider registering Carney’s one-year contract with the Cowboys and pave the way for him to end his three-year exile from the NRL.
The 31-year-old hasn’t played first grade since his contract was torn up by Cronulla for his infamous ‘bubbler’ photo, adding to a lengthy list of off-field incidents.
In recent weeks, Carney’s attempted comeback has been compared to that of Lodge, who has returned with Brisbane despite the furore surrounding his New York rampage in 2015.
Lodge again came under fire last weekend after details emerged of violence against his former partner in the same year, which resulted in him pleading guilty to common assault.
But Greenberg said he could understand why people would compare the two players.
“The comparison that we will draw will be very much about the work that’s been undertaken in order to return to the game,” he said.
“While people will straight away go to comparing the conduct, one of the key parts on top of that will be comparing the work that has been undertaken by the player before he returns.
“I would like to see what counselling work he’s done, what rehabilitation work he’s done, what commitment he’s made in order to ensure he gets a new contract.
“That’s the work and that’s the information we’ll be assessing.”
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