NRL 2022: Josh Addo-Carr scores hat-trick as Bulldogs win 34-4 over Parramatta Eels

The Bulldogs have produced a miraculous upset over top-four hopefuls Parramatta, with Josh Addo-Carr demanding an NSW recall with a stunning hat-trick.

Tempers threatened to boilover as the Bulldogs and Eels came together.

Dumped NSW winger Josh Addo-Carr roared into State of Origin contention on the back of a stunning hat-trick as Canterbury pulled off the upset of the season to belt arch rival Parramatta 34-4 at Accor Stadium on Monday.

The Fox has now scored five tries in two games to let Blues coach Brad Fittler know he is in-form and raring to go should there be changes to the NSW side for game two in Perth on Sunday week.

Addo-Carr could come in for Daniel Tupou if the Roosters winger opts to represent Tonga against New Zealand over the Blues the night before Origin II.

Tupou has pledged his loyalty to Tonga for this year’s World Cup, but there remains uncertainty over his stance for the upcoming representative weekend.

The Fox may win back his spot regardless of Tupou’s decision after presenting an irresistible case over the past fortnight.

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The Bulldogs produced a stunning upset over the Eels, with Josh Addo-Carr roaring back into State of Origin contention. Picture: Getty Images.

He refused to sulk when he was left out of the Blues line-up for game one, instead focusing on leading from the front and turning things around at the bottom-placed Bulldogs.

He’s scored a hat-trick and a double in his last two outings, working up a lethal combination with five-eighth Matt Burton.

Burton’s left foot provided the Fox with two of his three tries against a Parramatta side playing off the back foot most of the game.

The fastest man on the planet was in the action early, running on to a beautiful cross field kick from Burton to touch down for the opening try.

The winger showed his passion for the Canterbury cause, leaping in the air and tugging at the Bulldogs emblem.

The Dogs then turned a potential Parramatta try into a four-pointer at the other end following some exceptional work from fullback Jake Averillo.

Tempers threatened to boilover as the Bulldogs and Eels came together before halftime. Picture: Getty Images.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard poured through a huge hole and charged his way to the Canterbury 20m line before passing inside to Isaiah Papali’i.

But the ball never reached its intended target, Averillo reeling in the intercept and racing 80m to score under the posts.

Suddenly it was 10-0 and it was Canterbury - not Parramatta – looking a top four team.

The mistakes and ill-discipline kept flowing from the Eels as the Bulldogs continued to turn the screws.

A shift on halfway caught Parramatta short on numbers on their left edge and Jacob Kiraz, ignoring support outside him, cut back inside and motored past Clint Gutherson to score under the posts.

Schoupp was like “Not Today Mitch”. #NRLpic.twitter.com/z2Ig3aU4nq

— Roast (@thenrlroast) June 13, 2022

The 16-0 lead was Canterbury’s biggest advantage of the season – but it was about to get a whole lot better.

Addo-Carr grabbed his double eight minutes into the second half, collecting a Burton grubber just inside the dead-ball line before making it a triple treat night with a 55m intercept try five minutes later.

Aaron Schoupp could come under fire after appearing to lead with the head in the scuffle. Picture: Fox League.

“Addo-Carr is making a statement. He might just be accelerating his way into a Blues jersey,” Fox Sports’ Mick Ennis said.

Canterbury cleared out to a 28-0 lead as their vocal fans – hardly believing what they were seeing – turned their phone torches on and began swaying like they were at a rock concert.

The lights had already gone out for Parramatta, who took 68 minutes to score their one and only try.

Burton completed an outstanding game with another try assist from – you guessed it – his left foot for Averillo to score six minutes from the end.

The 20,000-strong pro-Dogs crowd gave their team a standing ovation at full-time as the club song played over the speakers for only the third time this year.

It was Canterbury coach Mick Potter’s first win at NRL level in eight years.

Addo-Carr has been on fire since missing out on State of Origin Game I, with five tries in his last two games. Picture: Getty Images.

EELS A DUD DEAL

Brad Arthur wore the lid of his Parramatta hoodie on his head for much of the first half, looking like the world’s oldest eshay.

He must have felt like pulling the garment over his eyes after being forced to sit through this debacle.

The Eels came into the game in sixth spot, with hopes of finishing the round as high as fourth.

The Bulldogs were rock bottom and without a win since the last day of April.

Yet it was Parramatta who were off the pace from the get-go, fumbling and bumbling their way through the contest and being completely out-enthused and out-muscled.

It was hard to believe this was the same Eels side which had dispatched premiership heavyweights Melbourne and Penrith earlier this season.

TPG GOES THE ALL-OUT BLITZ

Tevita Pangai Junior looked to have taken a double prescription of angry pills as he waged a one-man war against anything in blue and gold.

He saved his best for Campbell-Gillard, targeting the NSW prop with one shot that was just this side of legal and staying in his face throughout the contest.

He also launched himself at Dylan Brown as the five-eighth lay helpless on the turf, leaving the No.6 the worse for wear.

Even when he was off the field, Pangai was out of his seat and prowling the sideline, urging his team-mates to rip in.

They didn’t disobey.