Josh Addo-Carr's NRL contract at risk of being terminated after fresh move from Bulldogs
Addo-Carr's future has come under question after he tested positive for cocaine while driving last month.
Josh Addo-Carr is reportedly on the verge of being sacked by the Canterbury Bulldogs, with the under-fire winger being summoned to front the club's board next week. The future of the former representative winger has been under a massive cloud after he was pulled over by NSW Police and tested positive to cocaine while driving last month.
The 29-year-old was handed a $15,000 fine and a four-game ban from the NRL, and was stood down from Canterbury's elimination final against Manly that they lost in heartbreaking fashion. Addo-Carr has consistently maintained his innocence despite two separate tests coming back positive for cocaine in his system.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould - who initially backed the winger - said he and the board needed to speak with Addo-Carr about his playing future. But those discussions were initially put on hold as the 29-year-old focused on the birth of his second child with partner, Lakaree Smith. However, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Bulldogs have now issued Addo-Carr with a show cause notice to front the board next week, paving the way for his potential dismissal.
The report says Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the Canterbury board on Thursday to explain why he shouldn't be sacked after allegedly lying to Gould and the Bulldogs and bringing the club into disrepute. The SMH report says sources close to the club believe he should be afforded an opportunity to present his case but that his actions are not consistent with the culture and standards the club is trying to uphold.
Bulldogs signed rival winger in wake of Josh Addo-Carr drama
Addo-Carr remains contracted for 2025 but Gould previously suggested there would be consequences if his secondary drug test confirmed the initial positive reading, which it ultimately did. The Bulldogs also paved the way for Addo-Carr's potential exit after recently signing Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya on a two-year deal, from next season.
Montoya was Canterbury's first new recruit since the Addo-Carr drama unfolded and helps bolster a Dogs backline that's lost boom winger Jeral Skelton to the Wests Tigers. The Warriors agreed to release Montoya from the final year of his contract to pave the way for his return to the Bulldogs, who handed the speedster his NRL debut in 2017.
"It's always pleasing to bring a local junior back home," Gould said about the signing. "Marcelo is very passionate in the way he conducts himself both on and off the field. His versatility in the backline and his experience will certainly complement our squad as he enters this next chapter of his career at the Bulldogs."
Josh Addo-Carr linked with a move to the Dragons
Gould added last month that it was up to Addo-Carr to decide whether he wanted to remain at the Bulldogs, suggesting there was still a chance he could be at Canterbury in 2025. But it's understood the Bulldogs have allowed Aldo-Carr and his manager Mario Tartak to explore their options about a move in 2025 - with nothing concrete emerging at this stage. The Dragons reportedly offered a swap deal for fellow winger Makaile Ravalawa but it has yet to come to fruition.
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Dragons coach Shane Flanagan recently addressed the links to Addo-Carr but admitted trying to secure the services of Clint Gutherson- who has been granted permission by Parramatta to speak with rival clubs - was more of a priority. “That’s an interesting one,” Flanagan said. “You better go and talk to his manager. What I view a player is worth and what a manager views what a player is worth could be completely different. I have never spoken to Josh about it.
“Our first priority is waiting to see what eventuates with the Clint Gutherson situation first. Maybe down the track we might possibly look at the Foxx. He’s a quality player, he’s had a hiccup and we’ll address it. But it’s not on the immediate radar.”
