NRL 2025: Josh Addo-Carr opens up on Bulldogs exit, Parramatta Eels switch

Parramatta star recruit Josh Addo-Carr has opened up about his dramatic Bulldogs exit, revealing he still feels a deep connection to the Belmore club but has ‘moved on’.

Parramatta flyer Josh Addo-Carr has opened up about his Canterbury exit revealing he still feels a deep connection to the Belmore club but has ‘moved on’ from the saga that threatened to derail his career.

Addo-Carr was sacked by Canterbury, after fronting club bosses in a bid to save his Bulldogs career in October, for failing a roadside on the eve of the side’s first finals appearance in eight years.

The Eels handed the 29-year old an NRL lifeline, signing the former Origin winger on a two-year deal from 2025.

Addo-Carr, who still has two games to serve on the four-game suspension issued by the NRL over the incident, will make his Eels debut against his former club in round three.

Addo-Carr’s return to the field is set to be a bag of mixed emotions with the speedster revealing to Let’s Trot podcast host Josh Mansour he still harbours a strong affection for the club that axed him.

Parramatta recruit Josh Addo-Carr has opened up on his ugly Bulldogs exit. Picture: Instagram

“I did (having a connection to the Bulldogs). I still feel it today,” Addo-Carr told the Let’s Trot podcast.

“I’m so grateful to have been part of such a strong club, a strong community.

“The fans will hold a very special place in my heart. They showed nothing but love to me and my family, especially my son ‘little Fox’ and my daughter Shakira as well.

“It is tough, it was tough but you just have to move on though.”

Normally a jovial character, Addo-Carr cut a solemn figure addressing the off-field incident directly for the first time.

“I’ve moved on from it,” Addo-Carr said.

“The Dogs have moved on from it, the NRL has moved on.

“I’m at a period in my life where I’m happy at the club I’m at today and I just want to move on from everything.

“It was a difficult time for myself and my family.”

“What was said was said and I just want to move on now.

“The main thing is that I’m happy.”

Addo-Carr admits he still feels a connection to the Bulldogs.

At the time, Canterbury supremo Phil Gould cited “too many contradictions” in Addo-Carr’s story immediately after the incident.

Addo-Carr returned a positive reading from a preliminary drug wipe during a police roadside test in September but a secondary drug wipe was not conducted by the officers after they were called away to a nearby emergency. An oral fluid sample was taken for further analysis on the night, which also later returned a positive reading.

Addo-Carr has maintained he did not knowingly ingest any illicit substances.

The former NSW Blues winger said the off-field controversy, which created uncertainty about his immediate playing future, took a mental toll during the off-season.

Josh Addo-Carr leaving Belmore Sports Ground with his lawyer Elias Tabchouri (left) and manager Mario Tartak (back) after a meeting with the Bulldogs board over his drug driving scandal. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It was very, very tough but I had the right people in my corner at the time,” Addo-Carr said.

“Obviously my family was there, I spent a lot of time with my family in that period and just tried to stay as busy as I could.

“Going to work sites, doing a bit of training, kicking back with my family and training here and there. Just trying to keep my mind turning over while I was dealing with a lot of stuff.

“But it is what it is, and I’m moved on now.”

New Parramatta skipper Mitchell Moses told this masthead that Addo-Carr’s leadership and premiership winning experience has had an immediate impact on the Eels.

Addo-Carr at Ronald McDonald House. Credit: Supplied.

“He’s been massive since day one,” Moses said.

“The leadership he has brought to the club with him has had a real impact. He’s been around for a long time.

“He won two premierships during his time at Melbourne. He was crucial to the rebuild at the Dogs when he was there and we saw the success they had last year.

“He’s also been coached under some really good coaches like Craig Bellamy and Ciro (Cameron Ciraldo), for him to bring all that knowledge to the Eels, teach it to us, teach it to the younger boys … he’s just been enormous for us.

“I’m glad he’s on our team and I’m really excited for what he can do for our team this year.”

Addo-Carr has already served two matches of the four-game ban issued by the NRL after the governing body ruled the All Stars fixtures could be counted towards the suspension.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Josh Addo-Carr opens up on Bulldogs exit, Parramatta Eels switch