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 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 $400
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