New contender joins race for Josh Addo-Carr’s signature after Bulldogs sacking
Josh Addo-Carr is without a club at the moment but don’t expect that to last long with the star winger attracting a third suitor.
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Josh Addo-Carr may not have an NRL contract right now, but that won’t be for very long with a third club sniffing around for the star’s signature.
Last week, Addo-Carr was cut loose by the Canterbury Bulldogs after he failed a roadside drug test in September.
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While Addo-Carr maintained his innocence despite accepting a $682 fine and three-month driving suspension, the Bulldogs decided to tear up the final year of the star’s deal.
The 29-year-old winger was also spotted working as a labourer with former boxer Garth Wood while he assesses his options.
And Addo-Carr has options.
Having been heavily linked with a move to the St George Illawarra Dragons and the club he debuted with, the Wests Tigers, a third Sydney club has come knocking on the former representative back’s door.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Parramatta Eels had begun talks with Addo-Carr with Jason Ryles taking over as head coach.
Ryles and Addo-Carr had previously worked together while at the Storm, where Ryles was an assistant coach between 2016 and 2020, while Addo-Carr played for the side in 2017 to 2021.
While the Eels have yet to table an offer, the side has released the likes of Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Clint Gutherson, while young gun Blaize Talagi signed with the Panthers.
And while Addo-Carr’s exit from the Bulldogs was in less than ideal circumstances, the winger believes he still has plenty to offer in the NRL.
“No matter where I go, I know I will bring value to the team,” he said.
“The hunger is still there.
“I’ve won premierships at Melbourne, I know what it takes and wherever I go I will bring that winning mentality.”
And Addo-Carr said there was no doubt he would play in the NRL next season.
“Bloody oath I will be in the NRL next year,” he said.
“The love for footy and my hunger for footy is still there.
“It’s disappointing the way things panned out, but I have to cop it on the chin and I need to go back to what’s always worked for me and that’s working hard.”
It comes after Addo-Carr was photographed working on a building site.
“I’ve got a point to prove. I want to show people I’m not done,” Addo-Carr told the Courier Mail.
“I’ve been doing some boxing sessions with Johnny Lewis for the past week at Erskineville.
“In the last few days, Garth asked me if I wanted to do some work.
“He was a boxer and he knows what it’s like to be in touch with reality working every day.
“It’s certainly been a reality check.
“It’s definitely tough getting up and working day in, day out like many footy fans do every day.
“I’m up early for boxing training and then I’m coming to work and getting stuck in with the labouring.
“People out there who do this sort of work on the tools every day, it’s bloody tough mate.
“Hopefully this hard work pays off.”
Originally published as New contender joins race for Josh Addo-Carr’s signature after Bulldogs sacking
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