Cooper Cronk has provided a significant update on the future of Josh Addo-Carr at the Canterbury Bulldogs, suggesting that the star winger might not remain with the club beyond this season. The situation surrounding Addo-Carr has become increasingly complicated after recent off-field controversies, and Cronk’s comments indicate that this could be his final year with the Bulldogs.
The drama began when Addo-Carr was charged and fined, prompting the Bulldogs to encourage him to explore opportunities with other clubs. “The club immediately asked him to discuss with other clubs to leave after he was charged and fined,” Cronk revealed. Addo-Carr, who is under contract until the end of 2025, now faces an uncertain future with the club.
According to the *Sydney Morning Herald* (SMH), Addo-Carr was confident that he would be cleared of wrongdoing after a roadside drug test, believing that he was not guilty of taking cocaine. However, the fast-tracked results from the secondary test allegedly revealed that Addo-Carr tested positive for cocaine. In response, he accepted a three-month driving suspension and a $682 fine instead of contesting the case in court. Despite this, Addo-Carr is still expected to face disciplinary action from both the NRL and the Bulldogs.
In a statement provided to the *SMH*, Addo-Carr maintained his innocence and expressed hope that his name would eventually be cleared. “First of all, I want to say sorry to my team and our fans for all the headlines and discussion around me and the club,” he said. “I know I’ve done nothing wrong, and my name will be cleared in time. It’s frustrating that the club has to deal with this situation, and I feel awful for that. I want it to be known that I didn’t take drugs, and I look forward to my name being cleared.”
Despite his off-field troubles, Addo-Carr remains focused on his team and the season’s final matches. He emphasized that he would do whatever was best for the Bulldogs until the matter was resolved. “Until my name is cleared, I will do whatever is best for the team. My entire focus is on the club and my heart is with the boys.” Addo-Carr also expressed his gratitude to Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould, chairman Adam Driussi, and coach Cameron Ciraldo for their support throughout this ordeal.
However, tensions have surfaced between Addo-Carr and the club, particularly regarding his desire to play in the Koori Knockout tournament despite suffering from a serious finger injury. Addo-Carr has been pushing the Bulldogs to allow him to compete in the tournament, but the club has resisted, fearing that it could worsen his injury. “It’s not what the Bulldogs want to hear or want to do,” Cooper Cronk remarked, suggesting that the winger’s relationship with the club is becoming strained.
Cronk also highlighted that the Bulldogs’ long-term plans for Addo-Carr seem uncertain. “If the club are willing to keep this guy, then a contract offer would have been discussed internally,” he stated, adding that if the Bulldogs were committed to retaining Addo-Carr, such discussions would likely have taken place already. This indicates that the club may be leaning towards parting ways with the star winger, despite his contract running through 2025.
The NRL’s integrity unit has already issued its findings regarding Addo-Carr’s drug test. After reviewing the results, Addo-Carr has accepted the three-month driving suspension and fine, but the NRL and the Bulldogs are expected to impose further disciplinary actions. It will ultimately be up to Phil Gould and the club’s administration to decide if Addo-Carr will remain with the team beyond this season.
Cronk suggested that the situation will become clearer in the coming months, stating, “By the end of the season, we’ll all see what the outcome will be.” However, he also stood firm in his belief that the club may not want Addo-Carr to stay, despite the coach’s desire to keep him in the squad.
As the Bulldogs approach the offseason, Addo-Carr’s future remains uncertain. His relationship with the club appears to be under strain, and the final decision will likely depend on a combination of the NRL’s findings, his performance on the field, and the ongoing off-field issues.
