Todd Carney believes spending time with Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke could be the key to rediscovering the form and focus that saw him win the Dally M Medal last year.

In what has been an annus horribilis for the 25-year-old, who's battled injury, loss of form and off-field issues involving alcohol, the Sydney Roosters five-eighth revealed chats with Clarke have helped put the headlines behind him.

"Clarkey is always around here in the cafe and I did get in contact with him," Carney said on Thursday.

"I'm lucky that our doctor (John Orchard) here at the Roosters is also the Australian cricket team's doctor as well.

"I've been doing some work with him ... just friendly chats and catch-ups and it has been good.

"He is a confident guy and has a positive outlook on things."

Clarke is no stranger to negative headlines and Carney said being able to learn from the experiences of the man with the highest profile job in Australian sport has boosted his confidence.

"He was chucked in the media pretty early and has given me some tips and he has been really good," he said.

"I know I can turn to him, but the best thing about it is that he's doing it as a mate and not telling me what to do, and genuinely he wants to help me.

"He is a player I love as a cricketer and to have him as a mate too has been good."

Carney's poor season has coincided with the Roosters' difficult year, with any hopes of reaching the finals all but extinguished in last week's 19-12 loss to Wests Tigers - a fact not lost on the playmaker.

"My form hasn't been as good as last year, but I have had a few injuries and obviously a few other things and I didn't live up to the expectations of what I produced last season," he said.

"I put my hand up to that, but I feel my form is coming back and I have a few games to go and hopefully see some more glimpses of that on Saturday night."

Carney's thoughts will be with his late father Daryl when he runs out against Canterbury on Saturday, with the Roosters to wear special shorts and socks to support the Dementia Foundation.

The former Canberra star's father suffered from the disease that claimed his life and took it upon himself to organise a plan to raise money and awareness for the organisation.

"In 2008 my dad passed away from the disease and when I joined the Roosters I mentioned it to Noycey (chief executive Steve Noyce) about doing something but it was little bit difficult with the timing," he said.

"We brought it up again in pre-season and we got the opportunity to do something this Saturday and hopefully it can raise some awareness.

"I lived away from home when it all happened with my dad, but I noticed a drop in mum ... and it is important to get that awareness out for family members who have to cope with the person who has got the disease.

"There is a lot of people affected by it, and hopefully everyone who comes to the game can make a small donation."

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