Josh Addo-Carr Told He Can Leave the Eels Now, a Week After His B Sample Cleared Him
Parramatta have told Josh Addo-Carr he will not get a new contract and can leave the club straight away, after a meeting with coach Jason Ryles this week.
“The club has informed Josh and his management that it will not be seeking to extend his current contract beyond the end of the 2027 season,” the Eels said. “Josh and the club have mutually agreed that it is in his best interests to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere.”
Cleared, then cut loose
Addo-Carr’s career looked over in September when a police roadside test returned a positive result for cocaine. Then his B sample came back negative, and the NRL integrity unit and the club cleared him to return, which we reported at the time.
Brent Read said on NRL 360 the Eels had been ready to move before that. “I’m not surprised by it to be honest, because they were going to sack him last week before he got the B sample back,” he said. “They probably weren’t in a position to be able to sack him.”
Paul Crawley was less sympathetic. “The fact of the matter is, Addo-Carr’s had his chances,” he said. “He went to Parramatta on his last chance.” Addo-Carr was sacked by the Bulldogs after an earlier positive roadside test, though he denied using the drug.
Still one of the best finishers
The 31-year-old has scored more than 160 tries in 224 NRL games since his debut for Wests Tigers in 2016, including 96 in 118 games for Melbourne. He is an Indigenous All Star and has played for NSW and Australia.
Michael Ennis thinks a club will take him. “Had he not had this problem, he’s playing for Australia this weekend,” Ennis said. “I still think he’s got a bit to offer.”
What it frees up for Parramatta
The Eels have James Schiller signed for 2027 to cover the wing. Ennis said they are also looking at Jack Bostock and Bradman Best, and Parramatta are seen as the frontrunners for Best if he leaves Newcastle. Our story on the Dolphins joining the Best race has the latest.
