‘It’s tough’: Josh Addo-Carr’s new job a ‘reality check’ after sacking

Josh Addo-Carr has revealed his new job days after being sacked by the Bulldogs, but the speedster is adamant his NRL career isn’t over.

Josh Addo-Carr has taken up a job working as a labourer and expressed his “hunger” to return to playing in the NRL.

Addo-Carr was sacked by the Canterbury Bulldogs earlier this week effective immediately, with the club citing “serious breaches” of his contract.

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The 29-year-old winger was released from the final year of his $550,000 contract with the Dogs.

In September, Addo-Carr tested positive to cocaine during a roadside drug test, which saw him miss the Bulldogs’ first finals match in eight years.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Addo-Carr’s secondary test also came back positive and he accepted the $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving.

As he tries to find another club to continue his NRL career, Addo-Carr has been working on a job site in Sydney with former boxer Garth Wood while he assesses his options.

“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.

Sacked Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr working on a building site in Sydney.

Josh Addo-Carr on the tools. Photo: Instagram.

“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.”

Josh Addo-Carr is adamant his NRL career isn’t over. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The speedster is adamant his NRL career isn’t over and he is determined to get back to his best.

“Bloody oath I will be in the NRL next year,” Addo-Carr said, who has scored 140 tries in 179 games and won two premierships with the Melbourne Storm.

“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.”

He learned his fate after fronting the Bulldogs board. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The former representative winger and 2020 Dally M winger of the year joined the Bulldogs after five seasons and two premierships for the Melbourne Storm.

In the three seasons he’s been at Belmore, Addo-Carr played 52 matches for 38 tries.

However, as he was expected to be cut loose by the Bulldogs, Addo-Carr has already been linked to a move to the Dragons for next season.

After Ben Hunt was terminated by the Dragons earlier this week, the club is expected to try and sign both Eels skipper Clint Gutherson, who was released by Parramatta, and Addo-Carr.

The decision to terminate Addo-Carr’s contract is not too surprising considering comments from Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould last month.

Speaking on Channel 9’s 100% Footy, Gould said Addo-Carr accepting the fine and the driving suspension was “virtually an admission of guilt”.

The NRL has also sanctioned the star, fining him $15,000 and giving him a four-match suspension for the start of next season.

Originally published as ‘It’s tough’: Josh Addo-Carr’s new job a ‘reality check’ after sacking