Josh Addo-Carr stands himself down from Bulldogs’ NRL final over drugs test

The build-up to the NRL’s finals series has been overshadowed by the fallout from a roadside drug test for high-profile Canterbury player Josh Addo-Carr, which has prompted the winger to stand himself down from Sunday’s elimination final against Manly.
After some confusion in the media over the results of the test, Addo-Carr’s lawyer confirmed on Tuesday an initial sample returned a positive result, and a second sample has been sent away for testing by police. Addo-Carr has maintained he has not taken any drugs.
“Josh vehemently defends himself here,’’ Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, said. “However, Josh has made the decision to stand himself down, to put the team first. I want to emphasise that Josh believes he is completely innocent. He can’t understand how he tested positive to this roadside test.”
Gould said the club accepts Addo-Carr’s belief in his innocence.
“The club will support Josh through this difficult time under the [collective bargaining] rules. We have no reason to stand Josh down from the game this weekend until the results of that last test are known,” he said.
“So far as the short term is concerned, he won’t be considered for selection this week because he stood himself down in the best interest of the club, so the boys can get on with their preparation.”
Addo-Carr has engaged lawyer Elias Tabchouri, who issued a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.
“It is clear that Josh was pulled over and tested on Friday. That test returned a positive result. This result surprised Josh as he states and maintains that he did not ingest any drugs not prescribed by a doctor at any time.
“As per legal requirements, a secondary test was taken that has been sent away for analysis. At some point, the result of this test will be made available.”
In response to swirling rumours on Monday, Gould posted on X that the results of Addo-Carr’s roadside test were negative – which has proven to be incorrect. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs coach addressed allegations that his winger had lied to the club.
“Josh, in his own way, felt that this matter wouldn’t be raised again, and when he left the scene on Friday night, that that would be the end of the matter,” he said. “So I don’t think he’s deliberately misled me or lied to me, probably didn’t give me the whole version of what has happened there on the night, which I now have at my disposal.”
Gould flagged results for the second test could take “eight or 10 weeks” – way beyond the end of the NRL season. The issue has clouded what should have been a landmark week for the club, which marks the Bulldogs’ first finals appearance since 2016. The team had been building momentum in the back end of the NRL season, and its fanbase has rallied in support.
However, the side lost its final two matches of the regular season to fellow top-eight sides Manly and North Queensland. Addo-Carr – one of the fastest and most flamboyant players in the competition – moved to Canterbury from Melbourne in 2022.