Josh Addo-Carr contract: Melbourne Storm star could sit out 2021 NRL season
Josh Addo-Carr is facing the possibility of being forced to sit out next season as Melbourne Storm’s player swap saga hits another hurdle.
Storm
Don't miss out on the headlines from Storm. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Wantaway winger Josh Addo-Carr could be forced to sit out next season unless Sydney-based suitors stop stonewalling Melbourne Storm advances for a worthy player swap.
As per an ultimatum served earlier in the month, Storm has officially parked the stalled negotiation for the contracted flyer until the end of the finals.
News Corp Australia understands the club has no intention to budge on its “reasonable” demand for a player of commensurate ability in exchange for the representative star.
Watch the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals on Kayo. Every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Storm has inquired about select players in recent weeks only to be knocked back each time.
In the unlikely scenario a suitable deal cannot be done in the off-season Storm could hold premiership flyer Addo-Carr to the 2021 obligations.
But as negotiations have all been done in good faith a resolution is expected in the off-season with none of the parties involved concerned about the situation.
Both Storm and Addo-Carr are focused on the upcoming finals in the hope of winning another premiership together.
Addo-Carr, who has been linked to Wests Tigers and South Sydney, wants to return to Sydney for family reasons. Storm agreed reluctantly to release the prized winger as long as a replacement was found.
Loaned Storm centre Paul Momirovski last week refused to buy into suggestions of Addo-Carr joining him back at the Tigers next season.
“Any team would love to have Josh Addo-Carr,” Momirovski, who moved to Storm as part of the landmark Harry Grant swap deal, said.
MORE NRL NEWS
Monday Buzz: Brisbane Broncos appoint Kevin Walters as coach
Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights: Phil Gould’s shock appearance at ARLC meeting
NRL Tackle: All the likes and dislikes from Round 20 of the NRL 2020
“If Josh is there next year he’s there, if he’s not he’s not, that’s up to him, he’s doing what’s best for him and his family, it’s none of my concern.”
Storm captain Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich and Addo-Carr will return to face the Eels in Saturday night’s qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium after being rested last week.
The Storm pack, however, will be severely depleted with Tui Kamikamica (ankle) and Dale Finucane (calf) unavailable.
Momirovski, who scored against the Dragons in his first game back from surgery on a finger tendon injury, also sustained a high ankle sprain in the 30-22 defeat.
Storm forward Max King must appear before the NRL Judiciary on Tuesday after the Match Review Committee referred his contentious “hip drop tackle” on Dragon Blake Laurie.
Injured Fijian Kamikamica was cited for dangerous contact on Jayden Sullivan and could escape with a one-match ban with an early plea.
Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr contract: Melbourne Storm star could sit out 2021 NRL season