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Family: Josh Addo-Carr’s Teammates Brightened His Day With Heartfelt Words and a Promise That They Will Never Let Him Down
Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton has backed the club’s leaders to handle what he described as a ‘not ideal’ situation after it was confirmed star winger Josh Addo-Carr won’t play the Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
What was supposed to be a special week for the NRL club ahead of its first finals game since 2016 has been derailed by Addo-Carr, who stood himself down from the must-win clash following an alleged positive roadside test to an illicit substance, with the club now waiting for results of the second sample.
It is a distraction they didn’t need, but Crichton is confident the players will move on quickly.
‘We’ve got a very important game that we’ve got to focus on this week, so we’re putting it to the side and the club is going to look after that while the players put their minds to something very important this Sunday,’ he said.
‘It’s probably not ideal for preparation and that, but the boys have been preparing really well.
‘He [Addo-Carr] has been a key to this club for the past few years and a key to us this year as well, so it’ll be pretty tough, but the boys that will come in will do the job.
‘Things happen, but it’s just the way that you react to it. It wasn’t the best situation, but the boys have a job to do and the club will look after that.’
Centre Bronson Xerri usually plays inside Addo-Carr on the left edge and he says their only choice is to move on without the man he described as the ‘best winger in the competition.’
It is a tough day for the club, but we’ve got a job [to do] this weekend, so we’ll shut out all the distractions and focus on the game,’ he said.
‘We’re obviously going to miss him because he’s the best winger in the competition, so it’s going to be a big loss, but we move on.’
Addo-Carr reportedly is being investigated by NSW police after allegedly failing a roadside drug test which showed a positive result for cocaine.
The 29-year-old was stopped by police and allegedly returned a positive test result while driving last Friday night, reports News Corp.
The NRL star hasn’t been charged, with further analysis needed on the test first.
A result could take as long as 10 weeks.
Addo-Carr reportedly informed the Bulldogs about the incident, but there is some confusion with boss Phil Gould initially stating the test came back ‘negative’.
NSW Police released a statement, saying: ‘About 10.45pm on Friday, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing.
‘The driver – a 29-year-old man – was subject to roadside testing which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine. The sample has been sent for analysis.’
Gould posted to social media about the incident on Monday, saying there was ‘no truth to rumours’ that Addo-Carr had any issues to worry about.
‘In response to circulating rumours and now several media inquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr,’ the Bulldogs supremo posted on X.
On Friday evening Josh was pulled over and subjected to a random roadside drug test. The test results were negative and Josh was allowed to continue on his way.
‘Happens to all of us at some stage on the roads. ‘There is absolutely no truth to rumours that Josh had any issue. None whatsoever.’
It comes as Addo-Carr has endured an testing couple of seasons with ongoing injury concerns.
He was again sidelined during the Bulldogs’ defeat to the Cowboys last weekend at Accor Stadium with a leg complaint.
