The Canterbury Bulldogs have reportedly turned down a player swap offer involving their star winger Josh Addo-Carr, whose future with the club has been shrouded in uncertainty following his recent breach notice from the NRL. The breach came after Addo-Carr failed two roadside drug tests, sparking intense speculation about his future at the club and whether he will be released early from his contract.
According to sources, Addo-Carr has been handed an official breach notice, leading to rumors of his potential exit from the Bulldogs. The winger, who still has 12 months left on his $550,000-per-year contract, has been the subject of significant discussion among journalists and pundits, with many questioning whether the club will keep him or allow him to explore opportunities elsewhere.
Recent reports revealed that the St George Illawarra Dragons made a bid to secure Addo-Carr’s services through a player swap involving Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa. However, the Bulldogs were quick to reject the offer. The decision to decline the swap comes as little surprise, given Ravalawa’s declining form and uncertain future at the Dragons. He has spent time in the NSW Cup and has been rumored to be on his way out of the Dragons as early as July.
Additionally, the Bulldogs’ roster depth in the outside back position made the potential swap deal less appealing. With players like Blake Wilson, Jonathan Sua, Blake Taaffe, Joash Papalii, and Eli Clark waiting for their chance to make an impact, the club doesn’t appear to have an immediate need for another winger. The Bulldogs’ rejection of the swap signals their continued belief in Addo-Carr’s value to the team despite the controversy.
While Addo-Carr has finally been hit with an official breach notice by the NRL, there is still no confirmation on the exact punishment he will face. However, it is understood that the penalty will likely be a four-match suspension and a $15,000 fine, according to reports from News Corp. This potential punishment would see Addo-Carr miss crucial matches for the Bulldogs as the season progresses, adding further pressure to his uncertain standing within the club.
The situation has led to widespread speculation about whether Addo-Carr will be granted an early release from the final year of his contract, with interest from rival clubs expected to ramp up as November 1 approaches. At that time, Addo-Carr will be able to officially negotiate with other teams, making him a hot commodity in the NRL market despite his current predicament.
Amid the swirling rumors about Addo-Carr’s potential departure from the Bulldogs, one team has emerged as a potential destination — the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Rugby league legend Andrew Johns has suggested that Addo-Carr could find a new home under the guidance of Wayne Bennett at Souths. Speaking on Freddy and The Eighth, Johns expressed his belief that Addo-Carr’s speed, skill, and leadership would make him a great fit for the Rabbitohs, particularly within their Indigenous community.
“It’s hard to think who needs wingers,” Johns said. “But I’d like to see him go to South Sydney under Wayne. Their outside backs are Taane Milne, Tyrone Munro, and Alex Johnston – but Johnston ruptured his Achilles. I think he would fit in with the Indigenous community. It would be nice to see him go to the Bunnies, he’d be a really good fit.”
While the Rabbitohs currently boast a solid roster of outside backs, the potential addition of Addo-Carr would be a welcome boost, especially as they face injury setbacks and seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of the next season.
As the November 1 date looms, Addo-Carr’s future remains unclear. The Bulldogs’ decision to reject the Dragons’ swap offer indicates that they are not yet ready to part ways with their star winger, despite the controversy surrounding him. However, as the NRL investigation continues and potential penalties are handed down, the situation could change rapidly.
For now, Addo-Carr will need to focus on resolving his breach notice and preparing for the possibility of serving a suspension. Meanwhile, clubs around the league will undoubtedly be monitoring the situation closely, waiting to see if they have a chance to sign one of the NRL’s most electric wingers. Whether Addo-Carr stays with the Bulldogs or finds a new home in the NRL, his future will be one of the most closely watched stories in rugby league in the coming weeks.
