Addo-Carr receives NRL breach notice over failed drug test

Josh Addo-Carr’s future remains uncertain after the NRL issued a breach notice to the Canterbury Bulldogs star on Tuesday evening for a failed roadside drug test in early September.

“The National Rugby League today issued Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Josh Addo-Carr with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct,” said a statement from the league.

“Addo-Carr was issued with a Penalty Notice by NSW Police earlier this month for the offence of ‘Presence of prescribed illicit drug in person’s oral fluid, blood or urine’ while driving a motor vehicle.

“The Breach Notice alleges that Addo-Carr has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his club into disrepute.

“Addo-Carr has five business days to respond to the Breach Notice.”

• JOSH ADDO-CARR MEETS WITH NRL INTEGRITY UNIT

It is believed that the winger will receive a suspension of three or four weeks, with details to be released in the coming days.

The Bulldogs have yet to announce whether or not Addo-Carr will be sacked from the club, with speculation that Canterbury will hold onto him as a bargaining chip.

“I’m told Canterbury don’t want to sack him, even if the finding comes back as we expect it will,” NRL analyst Phil Rothfield said.

“The reason being if they sack him, he can go and get another job straight away.

“If they hang on to him and St George, for example, who need a replacement for Zac Lomax — St George will have to contribute to his money and Canterbury will get something out of it.

“His manager Mario Tartak insists Canterbury won’t sack him.

“There’s a chance of getting an earn, maybe $100,000 or $200,000 out of him.”

Regardless, Addo-Carr will be on the sidelines this weekend, with his side crashing out of the NRL finals in the first round.

The Melbourne Storm will face the Sydney Roosters on Friday night in the preliminary finals, while the Penrith Panthers will host the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday evening.

Both Penrith and Melbourne are heavily favoured by NRL betting sites, with the top two sides on the ladder paying $1.22 and $1.28 respectively at Bet365 to make the grand final.

NRL TEAM LISTS – FINALS WEEK 3