He is the club's top tryscorer and has quickly won over the Knights fans after leaving Super League side Wigan at the end of last season.

Here, he takes time out from his busy schedule to answer some of your e-mails.

Carney insists his dress sense has improved since his days at Wigan

How different is the Australian game to the British game and have you had to change your game to adapt?
Kerry Jones, Wrexham

Not very different really, Kerry. It is testing over here and if you are not on your game a team below you on the table will beat you. Having said that, each week you get "upsets" in Super League, too. I believe the best players in Super League would bear scrutiny in the NRL. I haven't had to adapt my game too much, but there are plenty of areas I want to keep improving.

Soon after arriving in Australia, Luke Davico took you fishing and you almost got swept out to sea. Have you been fishing since and do you think he was trying to tell you something?
David Brennan, Wigan

Have you heard the one about the Irishman, the Italian and Newcastle's most dangerous fishing point? So went the jokes in the paper for a few weeks. I thought he knew what he was doing when he guided us to the edge of the rocks and told me we'd be "safe as houses now shut up moaning about the waves." He later confessed to being a rock fishing virgin!!! I'm glad to report that we've now taken up spear fishing underwater. Twice as dangerous, but Davico reckons he's seen a programme on TV and its not as hard as it looks.

Matt Gidley looks to be on his way to St Helens, according to Carney

Are you surprised by the success you have enjoyed so soon after making the switch to the NRL?
Joe, St Helens

I still have a long way to go to consider myself a success in the NRL, but playing at the Knights is helping. Andrew Johns, Steve Simpson, Danny Buderus and Matthew Gidley are world-class players that will improve anyone's game. The word is that Matt might be heading in your direction, Joe, and let me tell you, Saints will be getting a great player and great club man. Whack your money straight on this winger to be top tryscorer!! Send my cut over here.

What's the best thing about living and playing in Australia, and do you miss anything about Britain?
Elizabeth, Belfast

The weather plays a major part in the quality of life over here (although as i sit here writing this the rain is bouncing off the road below me!). During pre-season we could head down to the beach for a swim after training or spend our day off out fishing safe in the knowledge that sunburn not rain, wind or sleet was going to be your only concern. Playing-wise, the best thing about out here is how hard it is each week. It keeps you out of any comfort zone you might slip into. I miss a lot of things about England, principally the friends I've made over there. When I first moved to the UK in 1998 I wasn't sure how I would settle but the people were wonderful to me and my time spent there is very important to me.

How do you rate Newcastle compared to Whittle-Le-Woods? You lived next door but two to my sister.
David Smalley, Leyland, Lancs

Send her my apologies. I only just realised I never gave her back the can-opener i borrowed last October. I loved living in Whittle. The beaches and vineyards around Newcastle make for a different vista, but there's a lot to be said for a pint in the Duke on Whittle's main "strip".

How has your accent gone down with your Newcastle team-mates, and do they appreciate your sense of humour?
Phil, Wolverhampton

I think my Irish accent has diluted a little after living away from home for eight years, but there are times when they make me repeat myself or they just walk away shaking their heads. As far as my sense of humour goes, let's just say I'm not on my own at the Knights. P.S. Any survey that says Aussie women love an Irish accent is wrong.

Kirk Reynoldson - or should that be Robinson Crusoe?

I was disappointed to see that Kirk Reynoldson has shaved off his impressively long pirate's beard. What made him smarten himself up and who else in the Knights squad has a pleasingly 'Carney-esque' lack of fashion sense?
Matty Hebditch, Leeds

"Lack of fashion sense"!!!! I've moved out of that phase of my life, thank you very much. In fact, I might now lay claim to being one of the sharper dressers at the club. I'm sure there'll be former team-mates of mine being revived about now!!! Kirk's beard had to go after a three-week-old prawn was discovered hiding underneath. It's on its way back though. The man grows hair like a woolly mammoth.

What is the media coverage of rugby league like in Australia, and do players get treated well by the television stations and newspapers?
John, Wales

The coverage league gets over here is akin to football in England. Step out of line and expect to have your mugshot on the 6 o'clock news. Do players get treated fairly over here? My views on the media relationship with players would fill a book, so that question will remain unanswered for the time being.

Will you be sad to leave Newcastle for Gold Coast given the impact you've made with the Knights? Will it be hard to face your Newcastle team-mates next season?
Paula, London

Yes, it will be sad leaving here. The club, players, town and people are everything I thought they would be. I've been lucky to go from Wigan, where I enjoyed everything about the place, around the world and end up in a place equally as enjoyable. As far as facing them goes, I'm getting measured up for headgear!

Carney says Brian O'Driscoll would be a big hit in rugby league

Have you ever considered the possibility of switching codes? Is there any scenario in which you could envisage making such a switch? An Irish union backline with you, O'Driscoll and d'Arcy would put the fear of God in any team!
Barry Ryan, Tipperary

I've had discussions with the IRFU in the past but I decided my future was in league. I'd love to see Brian O'Driscoll in league as I know he's a massive fan of the sport. I'm proud to fly the Irish flag in league and hope that some more might follow. Lace your boots up, Barry.

Do you keep in contact with your former team-mates at Wigan and what do you make of their problems this season? Have you felt any guilt at leaving given that they could be relegated?
Joanne, Huddersfield

I keep in regular contact with a lot of my old team-mates at Wigan. My good friend Kris Radlinski was out here recently and filled me in on how the lads were feeling. I truly believe the new coach and current squad will not get relegated. I would be upset if I was wrong as I spent five very happy years playing for what I still believe is the biggest rugby league club in the world. The weight of the "Wigan" name is evidenced by the column inches their current situation is attracting. I don't believe any other club would attract such interest when running last. I don't feel guilty about leaving. I believe the causes of the current situation really lie in not properly replacing the quality of players that left at the end of 2004.

Have we seen the last of you in Super League or do you think you will come back before you retire?
Graham, Warrington

My contract at the Gold Coast will be up in 2008 and that might do me. It might be time to try something else. I'd love to have a year playing union in Italy. Has there been an Irish referee in Super League?

How do you feel about missing out on next Tuesday's international against New Zealand?
Chris, Wigan

I'm disappointed to not be able to play for Great Britain, as doing so in the past has been one of the best experiences of my career. I'm glad the authorities have arranged the game. Hopefully next time it can be a stand-alone weekend game. Playing in Tuesday's Test match would have meant missing two games for the Knights, something they weren't prepared to allow and I fully understand their stance.