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
There's no point in a "sack him or not" conversation unless there's a superior replacement.
JAC is still a very, very good winger if he can get some good service. The Bulldogs sacked him because they were in a cap squeeze and it helped them out.
We aren't in a cap squeeze, we're in a talent drought. So unless there are names who are willing and able to sign with Parra who are a genuine upgrade or on par with JAC, we'd be crazy to sack him.
If the Eels have grounds to terminate the foxes contract therefore not having his contract amount on there salary cap, sacking him is definitely the best option. You don't need to be Einstein to work out that paying someone ( on good money ) who can't play for close to half a season is simply stupid. We know that the Eels are in the market for 1 or more quality outside backs and the fox's money would be better spent in this area.
This is only true if we can get an adequate replacement for JAC's cap space. Maybe we've got someone lined up but preseason is two weeks away. How many clubs will have someone worth that much that they are willing to release this close to preseason? They would need to replace them.
Listen to what Cappy and Pou said! ......what's more you would adjust his salary for the games suspended.....JAC's dont come along like a "mango season" you just cant go to the shop and buy them!
The best thing cap wise would be to sack him and get him back on a reduced contract, not sure if the NRL would buy that though. Alternative might be to extend him for '28 but on a reduced deal, say 700k for 2 years. Again the NRL would have to agree.
The only way I would keep him is if he forfeits his salary while out - then he can come back; but that is not going to happen I feel.
Such a shame but hey he is on big bickies and knows the responsibility here.
I also have to mention - didn't he also go off the grid during COVID time?? Think he violed the rules more than once.
Such a shame; great player and good for the club but drugs is shit look too.
You want a shit look or quality players Mitchy, there is a balance in there, the sporting public couldn't give a shit.....Mam's case was far worse but Bronco's name rate's higher than Parra, we are still the club that fcuked up with "paper bags" and criminal elements in our admin from those days.
The crime is just not serious enough to worry about.
Ezra Mann was on drugs and nearly killed 2 people with his car. He only got a few weeks. Weird.
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