Addo-Carr to meet with NRL Integrity Unit amid uncertain future

Canterbury Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr is set to face the NRL Integrity Unit over two failed roadside drug tests earlier this month.

Addo-Carr tested positive for cocaine during a random police check on Friday, September 6, and stood himself down from the Bulldogs’ elimination final against the Manly Sea Eagles when details emerged of the incident.

Now, the 29-year-old’s fate with the club hangs in the balance, with rumours swirling that Addo-Carr may have played his last match for Canterbury.

“He has to front the NRL Integrity Unit this week,” Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould confirmed.

“They rang today and asked for a Zoom meeting with him, so we’ve passed that on to his manager who’s organising that meeting for him.”

While the NRL Integrity Unit’s verdict will have some sway on how Addo-Carr’s case unfolds, the ultimate decision rests with Canterbury’s football boss.

“At the end of the day what will happen is, I’ll come up with a decision on what I think the future of Josh Addo-Carr and the club should be as a partnership,” Gould explained.

“I’ll take that to the board and discuss it with the people that count.

“They may or may not take my recommendation, they may have another point of view.

“We’ll sit down and discuss it.

“We’ll do what we think is in the best long-term interest of the club, it’s as simple as that and all the players understand that.”

Gould has previously spoken strongly against player drug use.

When Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell was embroiled in a cocaine-related scandal earlier this year, the former New South Wales coach said, “I don’t think our club could tolerate that sort of behaviour, I don’t think that we could tolerate that at all.”

While the Bulldogs are focused on resolving the Addo-Carr drama, their conquerors in last Sunday’s elimination final are hunting another upset against the Sydney Roosters.

NRL bookmakers have the Manly Sea Eagles as $2.30 underdogs in the second semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening, with the Roosters $1.62 favourites to bounce back after their loss to the Penrith Panthers last weekend.

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