Manly have ruled out a play for NRL bad boy Kenny Edwards despite a promising ‘risk assessment analysis’ from his current coach.

Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara admits he took a big gamble in signing the Australian at a time when the French Super League club was looking to improve its culture and off-field image.

He personally went out on a limb for Edwards, who left the NRL in disgrace after being released by the Eels before helping the Dragons to an inaugural Challenge Cup title.

“I made that promise to the chairman and I was convinced that Kenny would add value to us,” McNamara said in a recent interview.

“He’s certainly done that.

“I do sense he’s maturing.

“He’s come across here with his family and his children, and it is a great place to work and live.”

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Edwards played under-20s at Manly before being cut for disciplinary reasons but Manly coach Des Hasler insists there is no interest in bringing him back to the club.

“No, he hasn’t been discussed,” Hasler told Sporting News Australia.

“I saw he has been linked to us but his name hasn’t been mentioned. Good luck to him but he is not someone we are looking at.”

Hasler is still sifting through his 2019 roster to determine who he needs to bring in – or let go – ahead of the 2019 campaign.

Centre Brian Kelly was shown the door last week to take up a deal at the Gold Coast Titans.