Josh Addo-Carr is facing at least three months on the sidelines should any club throw him a lifeline following his recent roadside drug test failure.
Addo-Carr’s camp is still awaiting formal notification of his B-test sample after he tested positive for cocaine in September.
The NRL and the Eels will wait on that result before any sanction is handed down.
While Parramatta are yet to make a formal decision on Addo-Carr’s future, it is highly likely that the Eels will reluctantly sack the flying winger from his $400,000 contract if the second test result comes back positive.
The NRL are also set to put a 12-game ban on him should any club look to sign him meaning he will be sidelined for almost half of next season.
Even if he is retained by the Eels, they will be missing him for a large chunk of the season. The 12-game ban is in line with the NRL’s illicit drug testing policy, which deems players are automatically sidelined for that period after a second failed test.
The NRL website states: “Players who record a second contravention will serve a 12-match ban, the prospect of contract termination, a fine, and further treatment and monitoring.”
Two years ago, Addo-Carr was sacked by the Bulldogs after failing a roadside drug test
The NRL may not formally announce the sanction should the Eels rip up his contract given he will no longer be a registered player.
However this column has learnt that should a club want him and the NRL allow him back into the game then the 31-year-old will have a long stint on the sidelines.
The former NSW flyer has been in a rehabilitation facility since his positive test result.
Addo-Carr was driving in Sydney’s inner-west along Enmore Road in Newtown when he was stopped for a test just days after he played in Parramatta’s final game of the season.
This time last year, Addo-Carr had returned to the Kangaroos line-up and was part of Australia’s extended World Cup squad before the positive test.
He was sacked by Canterbury in 2024 after he again failed a roadside drug test.
Addo-Carr looked to have resurrected his career with the Eels with Parramatta officials talking glowingly of his impact at the club on and off the field since his arrival in 2025.
Replies
Yeah i wonder how that works. All-Stars for sure he would have been picked. World Cup? Well he did promotional stuff and Walters said once he got caught that he needed to make changes to his squad.
Probably would need some form of evidence from the Australian camp to say he was likely to be picked if not for the incident, same as the All Stars. NRL could possibly downgrade. I honestly think it all depends how November 1st recruiting goes. If we secure some outside backs the club will let him look for other opportunities or sack him. If we miss the elite talent then he most likely stays. Fair bit to play out in this.
This is outrageous. Ezra Mam got 9 weeks for driving under the influence of drugs that caused a crash. How does Addo get longer? Parramatta need to say something about this. No way should he get longer!
Fox got a light suspension the 1st time penalties go up when you do the same thing again.
I'm in favour of a suspension with keeping him could be handy best part of the year
Based on our last few games it looked like Ryles had a plan for JAC to be the back up fullback for Ionghi given Joash is on his way and Twidle is gone. Regardless of what happens with the fox we are going to need to sign at least 2 quality outside backs before the start of the season
Zach Eckersely (England winger) looked like he would fit in very easily to the nrl
With the expansion of the Dophins, PNG and the Bears available quality players have become a rarity. Hold onto him because it's good for the team first and foremost. He gives us value and team mates, club stuff and fans love him.
If he gets 12 weeks, that's almost half the season, which means the club will need to find a replacement. I can't see how he could stay on to be honest - we would need that salary to find another winger.
If the eels want to uphold a culture for juniors and the clubs image to fans & sponsors, then they will need to unfortunately sack him, it sends a message that this "repeated" offense is not accepted.
i know he does good things for community, but this misdemeanour over-rides that.
Think thats why eels moving in on Skelton as his replacement
Seeing as we threw him a lifeline after a sacking for a drug offence, hopefully there is a clause in his contract outlining the consequences of possible further drug incidents.
This may also help save his career, if it's a financial penalty, and give us some extra money to get a replacement.
If not, then I reckon he's gone!
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