Club Statement: Josh Addo-Carr
The Parramatta Eels are aware of an alleged incident involving Josh Addo-Carr.
The Club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and is cooperating with the appropriate processes, as well as providing welfare support to Josh and his family.
The Parramatta Eels will not be commenting further until the matter has been finalised.
Link to the statement from the Parramatta Eels.
As many of you would have seen by now, there are breaking reports alleging that Josh Addo-Carr has failed a random roadside alcohol/drug test on Friday night. Obviously, this is still in the cautionary stages of the news reporting cycle with nothing definitive confirmed right now but the alleged circumstances are painfully similar to what led to Addo-Carr’s departure from the Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of 2024.
If the reports are confirmed then from my perspective it will leave the Parramatta Eels with little recourse but to terminate his contract. There is essentially no wiggle room here given how Addo-Carr ended up at the Eels and anything but swift action to move on would present an incredibly weak face from the club.
It will leave the Eels in an even more precarious situation when it comes to their back line depth given their already pressing need to sign an impact centre. Again though, if these alleged reports are on point, it is an incredibly disappointing decision from Josh Addo-Carr.
Craig and I will talk in depth about this situation on our Tuesday night live stream. I think giving this situation more time to develop and allowing more information to come to light and thus better clarity for all involved remains the best course of action. I understand that fans will want to vent about the incredible frustrations surrounding this alleged situation but I do implore you all to remember that is still an alleged action presently when it comes to the discussion.
This is so bloody disappointing.
To put it incredibly lightly, Jamie.
Can we get Sloan??
Sloan picked up a deal in the ESL. Sometimes there are clauses/provisions to immediately release a player for an offer in the NRL but I dare say the Eels will need to be looking elsewhere for back line options.
You’d think if he’s stupid enough to take drugs (again) he wouldn’t hop in his car (again). Couldn’t he at least get an Uber, or do anything else but drive a car? How stupid can you be?
The club has no choice but to get rid of him, and you can only assume that would bring an end to his nrl career. Such a shame. It looked like he was doing great work for the club and the younger players. And what a horrible position it now leaves our backline in.
Bang on with my thoughts Adrian. Putting asides arguments of morality and legality around the use of drugs – just order a cab or uber if you are taking them in a situation like this.
Given how Addo-Carr departed the Bulldogs you would imagine that beyond whatever action the Eels take the Integrity Unit will drop a hammer here if the allegations hold true.
It certainly leaves us in a huge hole. Obviously we need to be ultra aggressive in recruitment now but equally so it also raises the pressure on development. The clock is ticking that much faster on the Eela getting a number of young backline prospects ready now.