The Brisbane Broncos squad were paid a visit by former footy bad boy Todd Carney on Monday who dropped by the club to speak with the playing group over the consequences of making poor decisions.
New boss Michael Maguire is taking steps to improve the culture at the club since he succeeded former coach Kevin Walters this summer.
Carney, 38, has been involved in a number of controversial off-field incidents in the past, having been charged with drink driving and reckless driving. The NSW State of Origin star is also alleged to have urinated on a man in a nightclub but was subsequently sacked by the Canberra Raiders in 2008.
Despite that, the footy great has subsequently spun things around, recently taking up a new pathways coaching role with the Gold Coast Titans and has been sober since last year. Upon taking his new position, Carney revealed that there was potential that he could be set to speak at all 17 clubs in the NRL.
He claimed in a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, that giving up booze has had a ‘transformative’ impact on his life.
Carney was subsequently hailed by Payne Haas, who claimed it was ‘pretty cool’ to have the Dally M winner come and address his team on Monday.
Todd Carney has given a talk with Brisbane Bronco’s playing cohort, delivering the squad with several messages
Carney has returned to the NRL this December, having taken up a new player pathways coaching role, in which he could be set to visit clubs around the league giving talks
Payne Haas said it was ‘very cool’ to have Carney come and speak to the squad, adding his messages had resonated with the team
Haas claimed that he and the Broncos playing cohort resonated with the messages Carney delivered, one of which included ‘thinking about your decision before you do it’.
‘It could really affect your career,’ Haas said. ‘It is a privilege to be in the position we are. Little things can add up to big things.’
The Broncos prop has been involved in some off-field issues in the past, having been fined $50,000 by the NRL and suspended for three matches in 2021 for verbally abusing a group of police officers.
The 25-year-old personally visited the law enforcers after the event to apologise and subsequently volunteered to help with youth programmes in the area.
‘I followed Toddy’s career. I used to love him as a player and to see the man he is now is pretty cool.
‘He’s gone through lots of things and experiences that he shared with us. We are young players and he was young at the time as well.
‘He was just sharing his experiences and what we should watch out for.’
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam is set to appear in court on December 16 after he was charged with drug driving by police when he allegedly failed a roadside drug test following a traffic incident in October.
Haas (centre) said: ‘He’s gone through lots of things and experiences that he shared with us. We are young players and he was young at the time as well’
New Broncos boss, Michael Maguire, has been hard at work getting his stars into gear following his arrival at the club this summer
The 21-year-old is unlikely to make an appearance at Red Hill until 2025.
Maguire, meanwhile, has been putting the Broncos cohort through their paces in pre-season training, with pictures emerging showing some of the brutal fitness plans the team have been going through.
This year they will look to bounce back from their dismal 12th-place finish in the NRL, with Haas stating his side are ‘buying into’ the changes at the club.
‘We are a young group and just being men about being honest and upfront to each other,’ he said.
‘That’s what we are taking away this pre-season and all the boys are buying in and having a red-hot crack.
‘I know what Madge [Maguire] is about, especially having him in Origin. I know what he brings and what he expects of us players which has made it easier to transition. I’ve gone through three coaches now so I am used to it all.’
Despite stating things had been going well under Maguire, Haas, who had been close to Broncos legend Walters, added it was difficult to see the former coach depart the club this summer.
‘Obviously, it was hard at the time (when Walters was sacked) but we can’t really dwell on that now,’ he said.
The Broncos are looking to bounce back from a troublesome 2024 season, that saw them slump to 12th on the NRL ladder
‘We’ve got Madge now and I am enjoying my time under Madge. I’ve got lots of love for Kevvie and he knows that but you can’t really hold onto the past. You’ve got to keep on moving and be present.’
Haas also delivered his verdict on what the Broncos have to do to return to finals footy.
‘Just being consistent. We started off all right (in 2024) but dropped off at the end and through the Origin period,’ Haas said.
‘It is a mental game, footy. When our bodies are sore we have to keep on turning up each week.’
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