The Bulldogs winger might have played his final game for the NRL club.
New details have emerged regarding Josh Addo-Carr’s family situation, shedding light on the delay in resolving his future with the Canterbury Bulldogs. The star winger received an NRL breach notice over three weeks ago after a positive roadside drug test, leaving his future at the club uncertain.
The Bulldogs are reportedly considering a swap deal with the Dragons for winger Mikaele Ravalawa. However, Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould has stated that Addo-Carr needs to decide whether to stay or move on, though the situation has reached a standstill.
On Thursday, journalist Michael Carayannis revealed that Addo-Carr’s partner is about to give birth to their second child, and the player is prioritizing his family before making a decision. “His partner is about to give birth any moment—if it hasn’t happened already,” Carayannis shared on SEN radio. “So he’s put everything on hold for now.”
Phil Gould is urging Josh Addo-Carr to make a decision about his future with the Canterbury Bulldogs. Addo-Carr continues to insist that he does not know how cocaine, detected during a roadside drug test, entered his system, strongly denying any involvement with illicit drugs.
Canterbury’s management has not yet decided what action to take against him, but there is a significant possibility that Addo-Carr has already played his final game for the club.
Late last month, Phil Gould emphasized that the decision regarding Josh Addo-Carr’s future rests with the player. “I spoke to his manager recently, and all I’ve asked of Josh and his manager is to consider what’s best for their future,” Gould said. “He should sit down with his family, reflect on what’s happened, and think about his next steps.”
Gould expressed his appreciation for Addo-Carr, stating, “I like Josh. He’s been a great asset to our club. Unfortunately, he’s had moments where he’s let himself down. I want him to think carefully about his future and then come back to talk with me.”
Addo-Carr was suspended from the Bulldogs’ finals game against Manly, which ended in a heartbreaking loss. Gould acknowledged the unfortunate timing, saying, “It’s disappointing for Josh, his family, and the club. It came at a bad time, but I thought we handled it well and performed admirably in the semi-final.”
Reflecting on Addo-Carr’s career stage, Gould added, “Josh is at a point in his career where he needs to decide where he wants to play and what his future looks like.”
Could Josh Addo-Carr end up at South Sydney?
League legend Andrew Johns has suggested that Josh Addo-Carr would be a great fit for the Rabbitohs, citing the club’s strong Indigenous heritage and community. “I’d like to see him go to South Sydney under Wayne Bennett,” Johns said. “Their outside backs include Taane Milne, Tyrone Munro, and Alex Johnston—though Johnston ruptured his Achilles. I think Addo-Carr would blend well with the Indigenous players. It’d be nice to see him join the Bunnies; he’d be a really good fit.”
Addo-Carr is close friends with Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell, which could further influence a potential move. However, it remains unclear if Bennett is willing to take on the challenge of helping both Addo-Carr and Mitchell, considering their recent off-field issues.