Another Raider becomes a Rooster...

Justin Carney signs a new 2-year deal with the Sydney Roosters

The Roosters have stolen yet another Canberra Raiders junior - this time it's 22 year old Justin Carney. Returning from a broken leg suffered midway through last season vs Titans, Carney has struggled to re-gain fitness and crack the Raiders first grade team.

He rejected a 2-year deal from the Raiders, for a more favourable salary out at Bondi. Despite the Raiders management wanting to keep him, it's clear Carney wants to back himself and is tired of sitting on the sidelines. Rest assured, this is a very good signing and Carney will not fail to impress in a backline already swimming with Raiders talent. With the likelihood of Josh Dugan jumping ship and heading over to the Roosters, their backline is shaping up to be a real force.

Potential Roosters backline in 2012 (assuming Minichiello will move on)

1. Josh Dugan
2. Phil Graham
3. Justin Carney
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Sam Perrett
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce

Adding to their signing of Joel Monaghan a few seasons back and Brett Finch before that..... it's clear the Roosters backline breeding is mostly done down in the Nationals Capital.

Shadows must be cast over the dealings of the Roosters in recent years. The National Rugby League must step up and take control of handling player contract and payments and there needs to be incentives to keep junior talent.

The Roosters began seriously poaching talent from the Bulldogs, with the signings of Mark O'Meley, Willie Mason, Braith Anasta and Nate Myles. With rumours surrounding the dealings going on in Bondi, including the incentive of apartments in Bondi and the like, the NRL must step in and investigate.

The Raiders have managed to get one back on the Roosters, snaring 26-year old David Shillington for season 2009. However even then, he took a pay cut to play with the Raiders and get some recognition for his talent ! Since going on to play for Queensland and Australia and establishing himself as one of the best prop forwards in the game.

Roosters or Rorters ?