Remember the Titans: Carney, Laybutt, Nelson team up for Vegas Nines

“Is anyone looking for an old half?”

That was the tongue in cheek social media post that led to 2010 Dally M Medallist Todd Carney joining Papua New Guinea captain Kyle Laybutt and former Gold Coast and Parramatta forward Cody Nelson lining up for Titans of Coal in the NRL Vegas Nines.

Philippines international Luke Srama, who had a stint in the USA with Jacksonville Axeman and is now involved in recruitment and coaching, saw Carney’s post and put in him in contact with Titan IND CEO Troy Sawdy.

“I was just mucking around, I said, ‘is anyone looking for an old half’,” Carney said.

“I spoke to Troy, and they have got a few younger players who work for them, and Kyle Laybutt. I know Cody well, I have been playing against him in the Northern Rivers comp for the last few years, so I reached out to Cody and it went from there.”

However, for Carney, who played 166 NRL matches for the Raiders, Roosters and Sharks and represented NSW and Australia, the tournament has greater significance than just a chance to experience the NRL’s festival of rugby league in Las Vegas.

After being banished from the NRL following a series of off-field incidents, Carney was forced to finish his career in the Super League and is now involved in mentoring.

He spoke to players at this year’s NRL Rookie Camp and believes his story can also have an impact outside of the game.

Titan IND supply skilled labour to mining companies across Australia and are aware of potential mental health and well-being issues in the industry, with mine sites often in remote areas.

“Titan do a lot of stuff around mental health. They have things like ‘Meat Up’ BBQs to encourage guys to look after each other and look after their mental health,” Carney said.

“I’ll be able to share my story with the guys and they have an ambassador program, so I’ll be able to continue that relationship after Vegas.

“As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. For men, anyway, it is getting them to speak first.”

Sawdy said the decision to enter the Titans of Coal team highlighted Titan IND’s commitment to the values of mateship, and supporting each other on and off the field. 

“I think footy and sport in general is a great way for blokes to level their mental health and vent some pressure,” Sawdy said.

“Culture in a footy team is important and the same in work. I love the culture in rugby league and what that does in a team environment. I am constantly referring to the Broncos and Cowboys about why we are doing things.

“We are constantly pushing the Mental Health ‘Meat Ups’ on sites and our ambassador program has a team of leaders, who look out for their mates and help to develop the culture that we want.

“We’ve got guys in Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW, Western Australia and South Australia so these programs are all about letting the whole team know that none of them are on their own and we are all together.”

Now 38 years of age, Carney insists he still has something to offer on the field as the Titans of Coal aim to win the NRL Vegas Nines in their first attempt.