Josh Addo-Carr backflip with one-year Storm deal floated, James Roberts to leave Rabbitohs

Josh Addo-Carr has been set for a move up to Sydney and was widely expected to have played his last game for the Storm — but maybe not.

NRL off-season never fails to add contract intrigue with two big names looking to secure their futures.

A day after revealing he was going to work out his future after Origin, Josh Addo-Carr’s return to Sydney could be in jeopardy with Channel 9 reporting he could now stay put for at least one more year.

It comes as Rabbitohs centre and former NSW Origin star James Roberts is set to walk away from his $550,000 a year Rabbitohs contract after an injury and mental health ravaged year.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Addo-Carr grew up in western Sydney and has long been floating a return to NSW to be closer to his family.

Having made his debut for the Wests Tigers in 2016 before moving to the Storm, Addo-Carr has reportedly been pursued by his former club and the Canterbury Bulldogs after South Sydney declared they weren’t interested.

Addo-Carr has spoken of his desire to play at fullback, but more appears to be emerging that Addo-Carr will stay put in Melbourne.

Channel 9’s Danny Weidler too to Twitter to reveal “Following the grand final win Josh Addo Carr has told his manager Mario Tartak that he in open to staying with the @storm for another season.”

Josh Addo-Carr getting some passing practice.

Although his preference is to move to Sydney, Addo-Carr appears willing to bide his time to wait for the right deal.

Even last week, Addo-Carr revealed that he would be happy to stay with the Storm.

“I probably would return,” Addo-Carr said. “I wouldn’t say no to a Melbourne Storm contract. I love that club.

“I’ll definitely miss the Storm, especially all the boys. I’ve got a really good relationship with everyone at the club and I’ll always be a part of that club and have that connection with the club. I’ve got lifelong friends now, so it is a win-win for me.

“For now, I’m looking forward to getting back to Sydney. I’ve made this decision for my family. Everyone knows I wanted to move back, and I’ve been away from them for so long know as well.”

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi has also left the door open for a return.

But the plot has thickened further with the reports that Roberts is set to walk away from the final year of his contract, which would free up plenty of cash for Addo-Carr, who is reportedly on $300,000 this season.

This is despite Addo-Carr cementing himself as one of the best — and quickest — wingers in the games, having played two seasons of State of Origin, with WWOS reporting his next contract could be in the realm of $1 million a season.

The Rabbitohs have also reportedly told Corey Allen he could seek a release although the club has re-signed NRL leading tryscorer Alex Johnston and offering deals to Taane Milne and Tautau Moga.

Josh Addo-Carr may stay with the Storm.

If Addo-Carr winds up at South Sydney, he’d also have Latrell Mitchell at fullback.

Incoming Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is believed to want to play him at fullback.

“We’ve made no secret we’d like him at the club, there’s a fair bit at play in the background there, he’s still contracted to Melbourne and it’s a little bit of a complicated one to be honest, so that might take some time if it does eventuate,” Barrett told Triple M’s The Rush Hour of Addo-Carr.

“He’s certainly a player that I would think would add a fair bit of personality to the team, not just what he does on it.

“He’s grown up too, I think Josh, but where that goes I’m not too sure.”

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler believes he could make the switch to the No. 1 jersey.

Watching Josh lately I don‘t doubt he can play fullback at all,“ Fittler said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth.

“He‘s fit. He’s not a player who will go full speed and then rest he’s got effort on effort. I think he could do it easy.”