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
I love it when a plan comes together! who said that? was it the A Team? I am not prepared to promote you two guys to the A Team, but I can arrange you to be added to the Euthanasia Squad which has many people hoping and believing in my personal case....on this site anyway LOL
You maybe right Wiz, but at this point of the discussion, that becomes a matter of what you want!
In life there are usually things that allow you to get around problems, that's why Super was looking for the easy way out with Cap dimensions, your resolve is different and you point out the weaknesses if we decide we WANT him.
What was Kennedy's famous statement? ....."don't tell me what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your Country" that's pretty subjective stuff and way out of "context" but it implies a principle of "wanting" and could be applied both ways depending on your morals and ideals.
Ezra Mann was on drugs and nearly killed 2 people with his car. He only got a few weeks. Weird.
I don't care what he does in his free time as long as he turns up for parra.the problem for me is kids look up to him .
im assuming we dont pay him for the 12 weeks
You'll be surprised who snorts coke. Many people from different walks of life have had it, it's an upper, it's not like being drunk behind the wheel. Read about it, talk to people that have had it, if you don't know or understand it your going to see it in the worse possible way. People are on strong medication driving around, which effects you more than coke. As a society we have laws, while driving you have rules, he broke them. I'm sure he regrets every moment leading up to this, he in rehab & I hope it all works out for him. I would like the club to suspend him with no pay or minimum to live on. Bring him back & let him be subject to strict drug tests at any time, caught again, throw him out of the sport.
I don't know how Parramatta stand by him, unless Josh makes concessions around an extension for a low amount and stipulations that any breach would mean an automatic de registration from the nrl.
Maybe if Josh signs say a $400k or even $350 extension for 28 as to compensate the club for missing half of the 27 season. That sort of compromise is a reasonable way of Josh giving back to a club which stood by him. Otherwise its goodbye
His deal for 27 is apparently $400k.
That seems very low.
It's been prominently reported at that level Chief but as usual no one really knows, I cannot see a reason for the NRL to be overly negative to him, they have their mandatory rules which they will apply, after that its in their interests to see him remain in the game...... he is a personality that gives the game colour (no Pun) and apart from spite I see no reason to be difficult in negotiating how Parra deals with him at the next phase.
Further Question, does anyone know if our new CEO has a history in these type of matter's?
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