Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr contract; Indigenous jersey tribute to grandfather Wally Carr
Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr admits stalled contract talks had taken a toll on him but, while his future remains unclear, he has rediscovered his try-scoring form.
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Melbourne Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr is stuck in contractual limbo — no closer to shoring up his plans beyond 2020.
The whirlwind move to the Queensland hub and raising month-old son Fox with partner Lakaree have forced Addo-Carr to channel all his energy into football and fatherhood.
The 24-year-old, who on Tuesday conceded the stalled contract talks had taken a toll on him, has checked out mentally from the negotiations.
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Explosive winger Addo-Carr would be the NRL’s most sought-after finisher on the open market.
“I’m still trying to organise stuff off the field,” Addo-Carr said. “All I’m focused on is trying to play some good footy, trying to score some tries for my teammates, and trying to win some football games.
“That (contract) stuff is all up in the air … my lawyer is trying to sort everything out.”
Addo-Carr fell out with his management, Pacific Sports, late last year after reportedly finding out a fellow State of Origin winger was on about $200,000 more than him. Until the feud gets settled, the Blacktown junior cannot negotiate with any Sydney-based teams.
Storm has agreed, in principle, to release Addo-Carr on compassionate grounds, as long as it gets a like-for-like replacement. Addo-Carr informed Storm late last year that he wanted to return to Sydney to raise his young family.
“It was taking a toll on me for a bit there,” Addo-Carr said. “I had to shut all that stuff out so I could play some good footy for my teammates. I’m a lot better than what I was.”
Addo-Carr scored one try across the first five rounds, but since the birth of son Fox, which coincided with the move to the Sunshine Coast, the winger has added five more, including a double last week.
The re-emergence of left-side flyer Addo-Carr has made Storm an even more formidable team.
“The right side are doing really good with their attack,” he said. “I think it’s a good balance to have and we should peak in the next couple of weeks.”
But after a face-plant, which left him dazed, and a purported near-miss, the popular winger said his technique might need some adjustment.
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“I just got to dive a bit lower … too explosive, brah, too explosive,” Addo-Carr said, between fits of his trademark laughter. “The first one I thought the ball was closer to the dead-ball line than what it was so … pretty much no time to brace myself with my arms.
“But the second I dived too high. I didn’t really hit my head — everyone thinks I hit my head because I’ve got long hair; it looked like I hit my head but pretty much landed on my shoulder. Trying not to start a trend!”
STORM STAR’S EMOTIONAL INDIGENOUS JERSEY TRIBUTE
Melbourne Storm will pay tribute to champion boxer Wally Carr – the late grandfather of popular winger Josh Addo-Carr – next week for NRL Indigenous Round.
An emotional Addo-Carr was blindsided on Tuesday when shown the special jersey, designed by Melbourne-based Indigenous artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward.
Addo-Carr was involved in the early design stage of the jersey but Ward came up with the idea to add a pair of boxing gloves under the name “Wally Carr” inside the collar.
Addo-Carr has long credited Carr, who passed away in April last year following a long battle with cancer, for igniting the passion for rugby league.
Carr held 12 titles across six different divisions across a distinguished 15-year career, including the Australian super welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
“I can’t wait for the boys to see the jersey,” Addo-Carr said.
“I know they’ll be extremely proud to put it on.
“I can’t wait to put it on and represent Melbourne and the Melbourne Storm.”
Carr featured alongside Storm premiership and New South Wales Origin finisher Addo-Carr in the NRL’s 2019 season launch TV advertising campaign.
The striking jersey, to be worn during the Round 12 clash with Newcastle Knights at Sunshine Coast Stadium, depicts imagery representing AAMI Park, Storm fans “coming together” and the Yarra River.
The jersey includes the names of 14 of the 15 indigenous players to represent Storm at NRL level, with Brenko Lee the sole exception, due to him debuting after the top was produced.
“I’m extremely grateful to be in that jersey and I’m sure everyone will be proud to see their names on that jersey and to recognise the Indigenous excellence of the Melbourne Storm.”