Melbourne Storm block Josh Addo-Carr’s move to Wests Tigers

Josh Addo-Carr has made a shock call on his NRL future, after the Tigers and Storm battled it out for his services in 2021.

NSW Blues players speak to the media at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence after their win over Queensland in game 2 of the State of Origin series. Josh Addo-Carr (C) pictured on crutches after injuring his big toe on the left foot during last nights game. Picture: Toby Zerna

The Wests Tigers have suffered another blow in the transfer market with NSW Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr looking set to remain at Melbourne next season.

Despite actively seeking a release from the final year of his Storm deal to return home to Sydney on compassionate grounds, Melbourne officials informed the Tigers on Thursday that Addo-Carr’s request to switch clubs would not be granted.

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Josh Addo-Carr (C) on crutches after injuring his big toe on the left foot during last nights game. Picture: Toby Zerna

Addo-Carr remains a top priority recruit for the Tigers, but is now likely to be a target for season 2022, where the club could face fierce competition from a host of cashed-up clubs, including the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The flyer was coy about when asked about his future on Thursday during a NSW Blues recovery session.

“I’m just focused on what I have to do here, to be honest. We have one more job to do next week and that’s all I’m worried about,” he said.

It’s a bitter blow for the Tigers, who failed to land key signings like Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston, while hooker Harry Grant will return to the Storm after his swap deal ended this season.

Melbourne were seeking a swap deal to release Addo-Carr a year early but it’s understood the Tigers were unwilling to part with star winger David Nofoaluma or rising centre Tommy Talau.

Storm general manager Frank Ponissi issued a statement on Thursday night.

“After discussions with Josh Addo-Carr and his agent late this afternoon, we can confirm Josh will be a Melbourne Storm player in 2021,” Ponissi said.

“Josh had sought a release from the final season of his contract but this was not an option that was possible at this time.

“Josh has accepted this decision and looks forward to returning to training with his teammates in Melbourne in January.

“We are delighted to have such a talented player and huge contributor to our club, as well as his partner Lakaree and young Foxx, remain with Storm for 2021.

“We would like to thank Wests Tigers, who have also been involved in these discussions, for their professionalism in this matter.”

WHY FREDDY’S WORRIED ABOUT ‘PRINCESS’ ADDO-CARR

And the injury certainly didn’t slow him down, the champion Melbourne winger clocked as the fastest player on the field at 37km/h on the Telstra Tracker.

Addo-Carr did his best to Fox the media on Thursday, ditching his crutches before facing journalists as he battles the injury which has raised “concerns” for coach Brad Fittler ahead of next week’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

The superstar winger insists he’ll be fine to face the Maroons after he sent a scare across the state when he was photographed on crutches and spotted in a moon boot.

“I should be sweet. The doctors and physio said I should be right, it’s just a bit of swelling and I have to ice it. I’m just trying to keep off it at the moment,” Addo-Carr said.

Even on one leg Josh Addo-Carr still scored two tries for the Blues. Picture: Brett Costello

The winger revealed he hurt the big toe on his left foot in the opening five minutes of the match and was forced to play on in pain as the injury worsened.

“My foot and my big toe, I just jarred it up at the start of the game, like five minutes into the game. I didn’t really take notice of it until the back end of the first half and onwards … it just started getting really stiff and sore. I couldn’t run on it properly. It’s all good,” Addo-Carr said.

“I just ran the ball and one of the Queensland boys just landed on my foot, when my foot was up. Just landed on my big toe.

“I was running on the side of my foot for most of the game and everything just started locking up on me, my calves and stuff, grateful it’s just a swollen toe. Nothing serious.”

Fittler was a little more worried about the injury than Addo-Carr.

“Yeah, absolutely [it’s a concern] … he’ll show it because he is a bit of a princess and he likes attention.

“The medical staff will do what they can do but he wants to play,” Fittler said.

If Addo-Carr is unable to recover from the injury, Fittler is likely to lean on new Canterbury Bulldogs winger Nick Cotric.

Josh Addo-Carr speaks to the media about his injured toe. Picture: Toby Zerna

It’s also expected Melbourne fullback and Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen will be available for selection after overcoming a calf injury.

Back-up centre Stephen Crichton has also recovered from a hamstring injury.

Fittler said he was cautious of overthinking his team selections for the decider but conceded he would look at making some changes in a bid to cover for injuries in key positions.

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After carrying Cody Walker on the bench in game one, Fittler opted for an all-forward rotation in game two.

But the impact of Cameron Munster’s concussion on the Maroons had Fittler thinking twice about his own bench make-up.

“You don’t want to anticipate someone getting hurt but you have to be able to cover them,” Fittler said.