By Adrian Proszenko
Josh Addo-Carr has been reassured he remains part of Canterbury’s plans for the future during a clear-the-air meeting with club general manager Phil Gould on Friday.
The development comes as the NRL finalised sanctions of a two-match penalty – which will be served during Australia’s opening Pacific Nations Tests – and a $5000 fine ($3000 suspended) for his role in a brawl during the Koori Knockout.
Gould met with Addo-Carr and his manager Mario Tartak at Canterbury Leagues Club following a tumultuous fortnight. This masthead revealed he was on the nose with some Canterbury officials at a time when he was embroiled in two incidents within quick succession.
There was further controversy this week after Addo-Carr uploaded an Instagram post linking the conflict in the Middle East with Indigenous land rights. After posting a photo of the Palestinian and Aboriginal flags with the caption “One struggle, one fight”, he promptly deleted the post and expressed remorse for what he initially thought was a “message of respect for all people”.
The meeting with Gould prompted further speculation that Addo-Carr could be on the outer, but the former Storm star was assured he was wanted at Belmore.
“Phil Gould just met with Josh to check on his welfare and let him know that he is part of Canterbury’s plans,” Tartak told this masthead.
Josh Addo-Carr’s future will be determined at a meeting on Friday.Credit: Getty
“He asked Josh to take more of a leadership role within the group. ‘Gus’ sees him as an important part of the team going forward and wants him at the club.
“‘Gus’ saw this as a chance for Josh to have a reset after a couple of little hiccups. Not at any stage has Josh Addo-Carr been shopped around by the Bulldogs.
“Josh was grateful for the meeting and we’re all keen on him getting back to the business of playing his best footy.”
The man dubbed “The Foxx” has scored 27 tries in 38 games for a Canterbury outfit that has struggled for points in his two seasons in the blue and white. His popularity at Belmore is underscored by the sale of more than $1m of his personal merchandise brand, which resulted in him being crowned the NRL’s entrepreneur of the year award.
The Bulldogs are frustrated with Addo-Carr over the recent incidents, while the former Storm and Tigers star feels the club hasn’t properly supported him through the ordeals.
In a statement provided to this masthead, Addo-Carr unreservedly apologised for this social media post.
“I would like to begin by apologising for any offence I have caused due to my recent social media post,” Addo-Carr said in the statement.
“As a proud First Nations man, I saw a message of support against displacement and land rights, and I shared this without full consideration to, or understanding of, the current events happening overseas.
“I recognise that this is a mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, I deleted my post and felt remorse.
“Having gone away and looked at what is happening overseas, it is a complex situation. There are no winners in war and where there is loss of life. The message I thought I was sharing, was a message of respect for all people.
“This is the message I wish to share now. Respect; respect for each other, and each other’s culture.”
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