Josh Addo-Carr expected to be stood down by Bulldogs

Josh Addo-Carr is reportedly expected to be stood down today as Bulldogs boss Phil Gould refuses to guarantee future.

Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Josh Addo-Carr is reportedly expected to be stood down by the Bulldogs.

The star winger allegedly failed a roadside drugs test in Sydney, although the club has strongly refuted the claims.

News Corp first reported the 29-year-old was pulled over for a roadside drug test after leaving the Bulldogs’ captain’s run at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

According to the report, the footballer has not been charged due to further analysis being required on the result.

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It emerged on Tuesday morning the Bulldogs are set to stand the speedster down ahead of their blockbuster elimination final against Manly on Sunday.

Leading rugby league journalist Danny Weidler first reported on Twitter: “From all the information I’ve been able to gather to this point ... I expect Josh Addo Carr to be stood down by the Bulldogs later today”.

The situation took another big twist on Tuesday morning with Canterbury football manager Phil Gould appearing to shift his position — and refused to guarantee the former Storm star’s future.

“I’ll have my recommendations about how I think the week should go forward. It’s a very, very important week,” Gould said on Channel 9’s Today Show.

Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

“I’m very disappointed... we need to make a decision today to work out... what we’re doing with Josh this week in particular, so the team can get on with its preparation.

“I’ll hold a press conference at 11am this morning at Belmore. I’ll meet with the chairman and the CEO and the coach this morning, and we’ll make a decision.”

Gould was asked directly by host Karl Stefanovic: “Did he lie?”.

Gould responded: “There’s obviously inconsistencies in his story and what he explained to us on Monday morning.

“It may have been Josh’s interpretation of events, but it’s now very inconsistent with what the police report has. We haven’t spoken to police. Nor have police spoken to us.

“I understand police spoke to NRL Integrity and they spoke to our CEO yesterday and they’ve sort of backed up what the press statement said yesterday.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said the incident left Gould “embarrassed”.

NSW Police released a statement regarding the incident which read: “About 10.45pm on Friday, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing.

“The driver – a 29-year-old man – was subject to roadside testing which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine. The sample has been sent for analysis.”

Josh Addo-Carr is reportedly under investigation. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

With rumours swirling about Addo-Carr’s alleged positive test, Gould initially showed passionate support for Addo-Carr, posting a strong message to X refuting the claims.

It was published with the headline: RUMOUR MILL REGARDING JOSH ADDO-CARR.

Gould then wrote: “In response to circulating rumours and now several media enquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr – On Friday evening Josh was pulled over and subjected to a random roadside drug test.

“The test results were negative and Josh was allowed to continue on his way. Happens to all of us at some stage on the roads.

“It’s the Police keeping the community safe. We appreciate their work.

“There is absolutely no truth to rumours that Josh had any issue. None whatsoever. Enjoy your finals football everyone.”

Phil Gould has strongly refuted the claims. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Addo-Carr played in the Bulldogs’ 44-6 defeat to North Queensland on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are holding their annual awards night on Monday night and Addo-Carr will not be attending.

He suffered a leg injury in the match, but was expected to be fine to line up for the club in its return to the NRL finals against Manly this Sunday.

The NRL are also aware of the situation and will be conducting their own investigation.

Veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield discussed the incident on NRL360 on Monday night.

“There is enormous confusion over it in that Josh Addo-Carr went and told the Bulldogs, even if he didn’t say he tested positive,” Rothfield said.

“They informed the Integrity Unit on Saturday, so they’ve been keeping an eye on it for 48 hours.”