Hugh McGahan: Carney needs help, not further humiliation

Todd Carney. Photo / Getty Images

Todd Carney deserves to have been sacked by the Sharks because it's impossible to defend his latest indiscretion on social media.

His long list of thoughtless behaviour has reached a pinnacle and administrators have said enough is enough.

Carney is as controversial a figure as he is a brilliant playmaker and it's why he is the focus of so much attention. His carefree attitude took him close to the line many don't want to cross but he was more than willing to tread over it.

Because he was such a good player, he was often treated more leniently. No one wanted to discipline him for fear of losing him to the game.

It meant Carney could continue his ways because someone would always pick up the pieces.

Now, after three sackings and a string of last chances, he's wondering what's gone wrong. He is also looking to blame others for what he sees as harsh treatment over something he had no knowledge of.

He might not have known that the photo was in the public domain but, in today's world of communications, when everything is captured, I have little sympathy for him.

Carney had been under the care of Shane Flanagan at the Sharks but, since Flanagan's departure, he's been left to his own devices. Carney had been progressing and was living within the terms of his contract but, without supervision, he has been susceptible to distractions. He needs help and was receiving it but the NRL took that help away and Carney slipped up. It's easy for us to ridicule him for his stupid behaviour and previous record. But he probably should have received help earlier.

Earlier this week, an overseas friend sent me an article which tells a similar tale of Luis Suarez. His background was rough and life was rougher, but football was his lifeline. In short, he has issues due to his upbringing and it took a while for that to be identified and assistance provided.

It might have taken some time to receive but he got it from Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers.

Suarez was making great progress until he went to the World Cup and was separated from his support network.

We all know what happened in his last match but few know about his background and why he's prone to brain explosions.

I didn't know and thought, 'what an idiot' when he attacked Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini but the article explained a few things.

We need to understand more before calling for the executioner because there's always a reason.