The short walk from Belmore Sports Ground to the eateries on Burwood Road can take Josh Addo-Carr an eternity.
“The Foxx” has a Pied Piper effect on kids and adults alike as they clamour for selfies whenever one of the most charismatic characters in the NRL ventures out for coffee or a feed. One of the reasons Addo-Carr is a fan favourite is because he just can’t say no.
Which is why there was a growing number of hangers-on in the days leading up to the incident that cost Addo-Carr his Canterbury career. The matter was raised with the Bulldogs board as Addo-Carr tried to explain how cocaine could have inadvertently entered his system, when the premiership-winning winger unsuccessfully pleaded his case not to have his $500,000-per-annum Canterbury contract torn up.
Addo-Carr maintained the same story he had initially told Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and then NRL’s integrity unit – that he had not knowingly taken drugs, despite returning a positive result to cocaine at a roadside police drugs test in September.
According to sources unable to speak on the record due to confidentiality, Addo-Carr promised he would disassociate himself from the growing entourage that had surrounded him before the roadside test – a pointer towards how he believes he could have recorded a positive result.
But it wasn’t enough to save his job.
Josh Addo-Carr unsuccessfully pleaded his case to the Bulldogs board at Belmore.Credit: Janie Barrett, SMH
While most of the talking during the 45-minute meeting was done by Addo-Carr’s lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, the star player apologised for the distraction he caused the club as it was preparing for a breakthrough finals appearance against Manly. While Addo-Carr pleaded for another chance, it was always an uphill battle after the Bulldogs had served him with a breach notice proposing his termination.
The Bulldogs believed Addo-Carr fronting the board was an important step. They wanted to ensure due process was followed, mindful that Cronulla had settled with Todd Carney after the playmaker launched an unfair dismissal claim over his sacking from the club.
They also wanted to give a fan favourite, who signed when the Bulldogs were at their lowest ebb, a chance to provide his version of events.
Tabchouri told the board there was confusion around the testing process, given Addo-Carr was permitted to drive away after police at the scene were called to attend a home invasion in nearby Lidcombe before he could provide a second drug swipe. The lawyer also said there was no legal recourse to fight a charge relating to an oral-fluid result. Addo-Carr accepted a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving following the incident.
Happier times: Josh Addo-Carr celebrates a try for Canterbury.Credit: NRL Imagery
“We put forward what we felt, in our view, was a very comprehensive and compelling response to the breach notice,” Tabchouri said on Friday.
“I’m disappointed in the outcome and although I respect the decision of the board, I don’t agree with it.”
Ultimately, the Canterbury hierarchy had lost trust in Addo-Carr. Gould, who was at the meeting, had previously said there were “too many contradictions” in Addo-Carr’s version of events. Gould had publicly supported Addo-Carr when rumours of a drugs drama first surfaced, but as more information became available, he stated: “He probably didn’t give me the whole version of what had happened there on the night, which I now have at my disposal.”
Even so, it was an agonising decision to sack Addo-Carr, who had taken a chance on the club, swapping life at premiership heavyweights Melbourne for yet another Canterbury rebuild. While not quite recapturing his very best form, Addo-Carr scored 38 tries in 52 appearances for the blue-and-whites. What’s more, there is not a more warm and engaging character at the club. There’s a reason his face adorns a mural at Jobel’s cafe, a Bulldogs institution in the heart of Belmore.
However, Canterbury, who in explaining their decision spoke about “the importance of building a culture based on clear standards and values”, felt there was no other course of action.
This is not the end of Addo-Carr’s NRL career. Clubs are pragmatic and several of them will avail themselves of an opportunity to add a strike outside back at a reduced price. However, Addo-Carr is devastated he has played his last game for the Bulldogs.
“I’d like to begin by thanking the fans for making me feel so welcome at the club, I came to the Bulldogs at their lowest point to make a change,” Addo-Carr said in a statement.
“I hope I did that for you all. Unfortunately, circumstances won’t allow me to be at the Bulldogs any longer, and I wish the club and especially their fans nothing but success.”
It remains to be seen where Addo-Carr will end up. Regardless of where he goes next, he plans to make good on his promise to keep his circle smaller.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.