Josh Addo-Carr in talks with Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles
Sacked from the Bulldogs, Josh Addo-Carr’s time in the NRL wilderness could be over sooner than later with the winger spotted in talks with the Eels.
NRL
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Josh Addo-Carr has held talks with the Eels as the sacked former Bulldogs star edges a step closer to an NRL comeback next season.
This masthead can reveal Addo-Carr has met with Parramatta coach Jason Ryles in the aftermath of his termination by the Bulldogs.
Ryles has a history with Addo-Carr from their time at the Storm, when the new Eels mentor was an assistant to Melbourne super coach Craig Bellamy.
Now Ryles could be ready to issue the ‘Foxx’ a lifeline as he looks to add some strikepower to a revamped Parramatta backline next season.
Addo-Carr has been linked with the Dragons or a return to his first club, the Wests Tigers, but the meeting with Ryles is evidence the Eels are a bona fide contender for his signature.
The Eels have lost blockbusting winger Maika Sivo (Leeds) and boom utility back Blaize Talagi (Penrith) and that could open the door for Ryles to add Addo-Carr to his roster.
The western Sydney club has also released skipper Clint Gutherson, giving Ryles more salary-cap space to inject fresh blood to his backline.
The Eels have signed NSW Origin winger Zac Lomax from the Dragons and the addition of Addo-Carr would give Parramatta a dynamic duo on the flanks.
Once regarded as the fastest player in rugby league, Addo-Carr is on the lookout for a new home in 2025 after being terminated by the Bulldogs last Thursday.
The two-time premiership winner has not received a formal offer from the Eels at this stage, with Ryles and Parramatta hierarchy to weigh up their next move and whether the flying winger is a recruitment risk.
At 29, Addo-Carr could play another four or five years in the NRL and insists he would not be a liability for his future club.
“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.”
Currently in limbo, Addo-Carr has been working on a building site to stay fit and give him a self-confessed “reality check” as he fights to revive his decorates NRL career.
The Foxx would be a potential matchwinner for the Eels with his speed, experience and title-winning pedigree.
Addo-Carr scoffed at suggestions his NRL career is over and is adamant he can be a game breaker for the Eels or any other prospective employer.
“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’s a bit like what the Melbourne Storm did for me when I went down there to play for them.
“The Storm taught me about being grateful, they said don’t ever lose touch with reality, so going back to work right now, it makes me grateful for what I’ve got.
“I’ve handled this pretty well. I’m keeping my mind busy and I’ve still got to put food on the table for my family and that’s what I plan to do.
“I know my time in the NRL will come again and when it does I will take it with both hands no matter where I go.”