Josh Addo-Carr Set to Stay at the Eels After the Board Backed Him Following a Negative B Sample
Josh Addo-Carr is set to stay at Parramatta. The Eels board met on Friday and decided to keep the winger while the NRL finishes its own investigation, CODE Sports reported, and the Sydney Morning Herald said the board was set to clear him.
The club is expected to confirm the decision in a statement once the league’s investigation is finished, if Addo-Carr is cleared.
The roadside test and the B sample
Addo-Carr’s future had been in doubt since a random roadside test in September allegedly showed cocaine. He went into a rehab facility and spent a month there, Fox Sports reported.
On Monday he faced the Eels board to argue his case. Hours earlier, the oral fluid B sample from that roadside test came back negative, which the Herald describes as a false positive.
The stakes were high because of his history. The Bulldogs sacked him in 2024 after a positive roadside drug test, and Parramatta signed him ahead of the 2025 season. He has played 45 games for the Eels and scored 27 tries.
What it has cost him
The Herald reported that Addo-Carr has lost nearly $400,000 in endorsement deals since the result. Existing or potential sponsors including JAC Motors, P&O Cruises, Rexona, Nike, DoorDash, Red Bull and Weighplate cut ties with him, according to the paper.
Junior Paulo’s support from the World Cup
Eels teammate Junior Paulo spoke up for his teammate from Samoa’s World Cup camp, where he is preparing for Sunday’s semi-final against the Kangaroos after he escaped a ban.
“I guess I can’t comment too much on it because my main focus is being here at the World Cup,” Paulo told CODE Sports. “But Foxxy, you know, he’s the Foxx. Foxx is like another coach, the energy that he brings is infectious.”
“He is just one of those guys that just loves being there to help across the squad, whether it is on the field or off the field too,” Paulo said.
A busy off-season at Parramatta
Addo-Carr’s case is not the only Eels story. The club has made an offer to Bradman Best, and halfback Mitchell Moses missed the World Cup after being ruled out with injury.
