Todd's carnage costs Raiders

You wonder what went through Alan Tongue's head when he awoke on Monday morning to news the team's star half-back Todd Carney had urinated on a patron at a Canberra nightclub.

The euphoria of the previous day's upset win over the Roosters peed up against the proverbial wall.

And there was captain Tongue left to explain to the media why Carney had been stood down by the Raiders when he should have been talking about his exciting team's unexpected run to the top eight.

How a side everyone tipped to run last has made it to ninth position spot with seven rounds remaining.

How previously unfashionable names like Campese, Milne, Monaghan, Picker and, yes, Carney were suddenly the talk of the NRL for all the right reasons .

And how the instantly likeable Tongue was the glue holding the whole package together.

The unbreakable bloodnut who is all bandages, hits and heart.

Arguably, pound for pound, the toughest player in the comp.

While 22-year-old Carney was pointing 'Percy' at anything but the porcelain, Tongue was sleeping flittingly in between ice packs.

The same bloke who had delivered a heart-wrenching eulogy at his cousin's funeral in Tamworth then drove 10 hours back to the nation's capital to play a leading role in the Round 18 win over the Dragons.

Tongue makes you feel good about Canberra, makes you want to cheer the Raiders when they are playing anyone but your side.

He's right at home under the signature headgear chopping down blokes who spot him 20kg.

He deserved better than having to face the media to try to explain why Carney, a bloke on three times Tongue's money and with double the ability, had goosed himself again.

The captain must have been wondering why a player who seemingly whizzed right past the last chance saloon when he was caught up in a police chase last year would put himself in a position to re-offend again.

Why he would risk bringing undone a brilliant season that could end in a fairytale finals finish.

Without Carney, who is suspended indefinitely, Canberra will struggle to make the top eight.

Yet, he has to go.

The Raiders drew a line in the sand last year when they told Carney he had used up all his ride tickets and the carnival would be over if he transgressed again.

They have been left with little choice but to sack him.

The NRL must then step in and declare Carney deregistered to prevent the vultures prospering from Canberra's loss.

And when the deed is done, Tongue will be the one left to pick up the pieces and somehow keep the Raiders' season on track.

He deserved better than the crap hand Carney has dealt him.