Josh Addo-Carr won’t attend his side’s blockbuster finals clash against Manly at Accor Stadium to ensure his presence does not become a distraction for the club.
Addo-Carr has accepted a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving after allegedly testing positive to cocaine at a roadside police test last Friday. The Canterbury winger maintains he did not knowingly take any illicit drugs, but accepted the police infringement notice to spare his club and family adverse publicity.
Sunday’s clash marks the first time the Bulldogs have qualified for finals football in eight seasons. While Addo-Carr wanted to be present to support his teammates, the 29-year-old felt his presence would spark a media circus.
“Josh is fully supportive of his teammates, but has chosen not to attend the game to ensure there are no distractions for the team and the club,” his agent, Mario Tartak, said.
“He will still be cheering them on in the hope they win the game and extend their season.”
Josh Addo-Carr won’t attend Sunday’s blockbuster finals clash.Credit: NRL Photos
Addo-Carr stood down from the opening week of the finals on Tuesday, before police announced a second positive test result on Friday. Now that he has chosen not to contest the infringement notice, and coupled with questions about whether he was fully transparent with the club about the incident, the next issue will be whether his contract is terminated.
The Bulldogs will ensure they go through the correct process in coming to a decision on Addo-Carr’s future, mindful that Cronulla settled with Todd Carney after the playmaker launched an unfair dismissal claim over his sacking from the club.
“My concern at the moment is for Josh and his entire family,” Tartak said.
“In due course, we will deal with the Bulldogs and the NRL’s integrity unit.”
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has settled on Jeral Skelton as Addo-Carr’s replacement. Ciraldo had last week’s NRL debutants, Jonathan Sua and Eli Clark, pencilled in as replacements should Skelton not recover from a leg injury. However, the rookies were cut from an extended bench on Saturday after Skelton proved his fitness.
Addo-Carr’s incident is the second drugs scandal to rock the NRL in quick succession. Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell was hit with a suspended fine and one-match ban after his white powder scandal, although the club remains at loggerheads with the NRL as to when the ban should be served.
While both are established representative stars, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is expected to overlook them for next month’s Pacific Championships.
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