Carney not letting success derail comeback

Rejuvenated bad boy Todd Carney says he won't let a successful NRL return overshadow the enormity he faces in getting his life and career back on track.

Just one game into a comeback after 16 months out of the game, Carney found his name tossed up as a State of Origin contender after a stunning Sydney Roosters debut.

Shown the door by Canberra midway through 2008 after a string of alcohol-related incidents, the 23-year-old looked like he'd never been away as he toyed with the South Sydney defence, but he admitted talk of a NSW jumper was beyond his ambitions.

"Nate (teammate Nate Myles) was into me about being the saviour and things like that but I'm not looking into it that much," Carney said of NSW selection.

"I remember the headlines 18 months ago - I don't want to jump into things too early, just keep working hard and keep my head down."

Still, Carney could be an intriguing option for NSW selectors trying to end Queensland recent dominance, and he was on the verge of a call-up when his world came crashing down in 2008.

At home at halfback and five-eighth, Carney proved against the Rabbitohs he was more than capable in the No.1 jumper, though his chances of representative selection could be determined as much by his ability to keep things in check off the field as his performances on it.

Without a drink since the new year, Carney is determined to leave the past behind.

Just prior to being shown the door at the Raiders, the Goulburn junior was handed a final chance with the club which was contingent on him adhering to a five-point plan - one point being that he stay away from alcohol until 2012.

Carney rejected the offer and promptly had his contract torn up.

No such constraints have been placed at the Roosters, but Carney said a change in attitude had negated the need for any mothering.

"I'm going day by day, week by week and I just keep going the way I am," Carney said.

"I don't need one so I'm happy not drinking.

"That side's passed me and I've still got a lot to work on but I'm feeling comfortable and excited and happy.

"I'm just going along with my football, happy to turn up to training everyday, I'm just excited to be back playing football.

"The change has been great, I've seen that in myself and I think everyone can see that."

Carney said he had no hard feeling towards Canberra for letting him go, and while the Raiders claim they feel the same way toward the troubled star, there is no doubt more performances of the ilk he produced against South Sydney will leave the talent-starved club with some regrets.

"I did the wrong thing at Canberra and they had the right to sack me," Carney said.

"It was a business (decision) for them and they sacked me. I've got on with it, they've got on with it."

- AAP