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SYDNEY Roosters coach Brian Smith has confirmed he will use the pre-season to find out whether Todd Carney is a realistic option at fullback.
Carney, who began training with the Roosters on Monday, was expected to slot in alongside Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
However, Smith said yesterday he was ready to trial the former Canberra half at fullback after speaking to the club's recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"I have talked a bit about it with the coaches and I had a real good chat to Peter O'Sullivan,'' Smith said. "It was Peter who suggested we should have a think about him as a fullback. I have chatted briefly to Toddy about that so he had a chance to think about it a bit himself.''
Playing Carney at fullback would allow captain Braith Anasta to remain at five-eighth, relieving Smith of at least one headache.
Though it would mean a move for former NSW and Australia fullback Anthony Minichiello, the game's best No 1 before being struck down by a series of back injuries.
O'Sullivan said of a Carney positional move: "It's worth a look. His pace, his power, his running game, along with his passing and kicking game, especially on the left-hand side of the field would make him extremely difficult to defend against.''
The Roosters' willingness to trial Carney at the back highlights the evolution in the position. It's arguable only halfback is a more important role in modern football.
While no one doubts Carney's ability with the ball, the bigger challenge will be acclimatising to the other demands of playing fullback.
"The picture in my mind is certainly of the attacking aspects of the game,'' Smith said. "I couldn't see how Todd would have a problem with that. In fact, he could be made for it. There's obviously a lot of other things -- receiving kicks and defending and all that stuff.
"We need to give him a chance to get his head around that and have a practice at it before we test him out.
"He has a terrific, athletic body. He has speed, strength - all those items. He's done it and proven it. Being out for 18 months . . . he looks pretty good.
"He'll look better in three or four months with a proper preparation. But he's keen, he's enthusiastic.''
The temptation to play Carney at fullback must also be balanced against what he offers in the halves.
In Pearce and Carney, the Roosters have two players with immense talent who can form a combination at the club for years to come. Minichiello's ability to capture his best form will also play a part in Smith's decision, although the former NSW and Australian fullback is equally at home on the wing.
Carney, who began training with the Roosters on Monday, was expected to slot in alongside Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
However, Smith said yesterday he was ready to trial the former Canberra half at fullback after speaking to the club's recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"I have talked a bit about it with the coaches and I had a real good chat to Peter O'Sullivan,'' Smith said. "It was Peter who suggested we should have a think about him as a fullback. I have chatted briefly to Toddy about that so he had a chance to think about it a bit himself.''
Playing Carney at fullback would allow captain Braith Anasta to remain at five-eighth, relieving Smith of at least one headache.
Though it would mean a move for former NSW and Australia fullback Anthony Minichiello, the game's best No 1 before being struck down by a series of back injuries.
O'Sullivan said of a Carney positional move: "It's worth a look. His pace, his power, his running game, along with his passing and kicking game, especially on the left-hand side of the field would make him extremely difficult to defend against.''
The Roosters' willingness to trial Carney at the back highlights the evolution in the position. It's arguable only halfback is a more important role in modern football.
While no one doubts Carney's ability with the ball, the bigger challenge will be acclimatising to the other demands of playing fullback.
"The picture in my mind is certainly of the attacking aspects of the game,'' Smith said. "I couldn't see how Todd would have a problem with that. In fact, he could be made for it. There's obviously a lot of other things -- receiving kicks and defending and all that stuff.
"We need to give him a chance to get his head around that and have a practice at it before we test him out.
"He has a terrific, athletic body. He has speed, strength - all those items. He's done it and proven it. Being out for 18 months . . . he looks pretty good.
"He'll look better in three or four months with a proper preparation. But he's keen, he's enthusiastic.''
The temptation to play Carney at fullback must also be balanced against what he offers in the halves.
In Pearce and Carney, the Roosters have two players with immense talent who can form a combination at the club for years to come. Minichiello's ability to capture his best form will also play a part in Smith's decision, although the former NSW and Australian fullback is equally at home on the wing.
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