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Josh Addo-Carr has been sacked by NRL club Canterbury with immediate effect after returning two positive readings to roadside drugs tests last month.
Addo-Carr’s fate was sealed on Thursday when the Australian Test winger was forced to front the Bulldogs board of directors and explain why he shouldn’t have his contract torn up.
It came after the 29-year-old was pulled over by NSW Police in September, a week out from the club’s first finals games in eight years.
The 15-time NSW State of Origin representative failed the roadside test and a secondary sample returned the same reading.
Addo-Carr has maintained he had not knowingly ingested recreational drugs and had held faint hope he would be given a reprieve by Canterbury powerbrokers.
“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 to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“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.”
Bulldogs chairman Adam Druissi said they opted to terminate his contract because the winger failed to uphold the club’s standards.
“Josh has been a significant part of our club over the past three seasons,” said .
“During this time, he has provided many memorable moments for our members and fans.
“We understand Josh’s popularity with our passionate supporter base, and we share their disappointment that his time with the club has ended this way.
“However, this season has demonstrated the importance of building a culture based on clear standards and values.
“While the NRL Integrity Unit has completed its investigation and imposed a four-match suspension, the club views the combination of the failed drug test and subsequent lack of transparency as serious breaches of Josh’s contractual obligations and our club’s standards.”
In axing Addo-Carr, Canterbury will clear close to $500,000 from their salary cap at a time when the NRL’s transfer market is set to kick into overdrive.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Addo-Carr will likely have several suitors but may not command the top dollar he earned when he was lured to Belmore from Melbourne in 2021.
The winger has been given permission to negotiate with rivals since news of his second positive reading came to light but has been unable to secure a move elsewhere.
Addo-Carr will have to serve the remaining three games of his four-game ban in the 2025 season.
His NRL suspension was also accompanied by a $15,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have told Samoan prop Terrell May he can leave a year early from the end of his contract.
The powerful front-rower was about to enter the first year of a two-season extension worth around $900,000 but according to the Sydney Morning Herald, he can accept another deal elsewhere.
St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers are in the market for extra forwards and will be keen to secure May’s services while Canberra are also in the market for a prop.
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