By Christian Nicolussi and Dan Walsh
Canterbury star Josh Addo-Carr could be playing within a fortnight after scans cleared him of what was feared to be a broken collarbone.
Addo-Carr played through 33 minutes of pain in Saturday’s loss to Parramatta, with both the Kangaroos flyer and coach Cameron Ciraldo concerned he had done serious damage to his right shoulder.
Addo-Carr said he felt “instant pain” every time he tried to lift his arm while playing. But scans on Saturday night have allayed fears of a broken collarbone or significant shoulder injury, instead confirming Addo-Carr has sprained his AC joint.
A 6-8 week layoff had been on the cards from initial assessments as Addo-Carr left Commbank Stadium in a sling.
But the representative winger is hopeful of missing just one game and returning as early as round 3 against the Titans, albeit playing through pain as the injury is managed.
The Eels enjoyed their own medical boost on Sunday as scans cleared star halfback Mitchell Moses of any major groin issue after he was hobbled late in the game. Coach Brad Arthur confirmed to this masthead that Moses will be fit to play in Friday’s grudge match against longtime rivals Penrith.
Addo-Carr collided with Eels back-rower Bryce Cartwright in the seventh minute of his side’s 26-8 loss to Parramatta at CommBank Stadium, but refused to leave the field until half-time. He even took four carries and made a tackle.
Josh Addo-Carr has suffered a suspected broken collarbone.Credit: Nine
Despite Addo-Carr being in clear pain and favouring his right shoulder, the Eels kicked to his side of the field only a couple of times.
“I couldn’t lift my arm, it was instant pain,” Addo-Carr told this masthead in the sheds, with his arm already in a sling.
Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs leaves the field at half-time.Credit: Getty
“But the boys needed me to play 40 minutes. You’re in the moment, and all I had to do was get through the half.
“I think it’s a broken collarbone. It’s weird. I felt pain, but it’s sore at the front and the back, and even in my sternum.
“It’s footy. The tackle was shoulder to shoulder. I’ll get the scans, then set another goal to get back as quickly as possible – I’ll come back fit and firing.”
Addo-Carr had his right arm heavily strapped at CommBank Stadium, but said there were no issues with his shoulder.
“I actually hyperextended my elbow a few weeks ago, but it had nothing to do with this,” he said.
“I also like to strap my wrists pretty high as well.”
Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton knew straight away his winger was in trouble, but urged him to grit his teeth.
“He’s tough. I actually spoke to him when it first happened, I told him we had no backs on the bench. He looked at me and said, ‘I’ve got you, bra’,” Crichton said.
“That’s how it’s been the whole pre-season. He’s trained through injuries, and it shows what kind of character he is – he’s always putting the team first.
“It shows you the culture we’re building, just that playing through adversity. I didn’t know how bad it was. He was saying he couldn’t breathe, so I knew it was going to be pretty bad.”
Addo-Carr bulked up over the summer and was keen to make an impact at Belmore, especially after he was restricted to just 15 games last year. He was sidelined for six weeks due to a nasty ankle injury and ligament damage in his knee after trapping his foot in the turf during the Good Friday clash against South Sydney.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo also praised Addo-Carr, and said there were several contenders to replace him.
Connor Tracey was 18th man against the Eels and could debut against his former club Cronulla on Friday. Another former Shark, Bronson Xerri, did not disappoint in the trials after returning from a four-year drug ban.
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