- The star dogs tested positive for cocaine in samples submitted on August 6
- The 29-year-old winger is adamant that he did not take the drug.
A shock decision by Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr has left football pundits expecting the club to sack him as the superstar continues to battle to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine.
The Bulldogs were eliminated from the final on Sunday afternoon, victims of a 24-22 defeat to speedy Manly in the second elimination final at Accor Stadium.
The result came at the end of a tumultuous 10 days for Canterbury, whose star winger Addo-Carr pulled out of the game for fear his presence would spark a media circus.
The 29-year-old has told club officials he is convinced he did not use cocaine before testing positive in two samples he gave to police on August 6 and cannot explain the supposedly positive results.
Despite his claims of innocence, Addo-Carr accepted a three-month driving ban and a $682 fine rather than take the matter to court, which NRL journalist Phil Rothfield says is highly unusual.
“That will carry over into this week but I’m pretty sure there will be a big story later this week and that will be the Bulldogs letting Josh Addo-Carr go,” Rothfield told Sky Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
‘They have to do their due diligence, they have to dot the i’s and cross the t’s in their legal proceedings, but I think their relationship with the Bulldogs is now over.
‘He has not yet admitted his guilt, but he has paid the fine, which is a very unusual situation.
Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr (pictured) is speculated to be willing to part ways with his club after testing positive for cocaine.
Addo-Carr has told club officials he is convinced he did not take the drug before returning positive results in two samples he gave to police during a roadside stop on August 6.
“I think Josh Addo-Carr will be looking for a new club in the NRL by the end of the week.”
News Corp NRL journalist James Hooper also believes Addo-Carr will be released from the club soon.
“The reality now is that it seems all roads point to the Bulldogs and Josh Addo-Carr parting ways,” Hooper told Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.
‘Phil Gould has said publicly a number of times… that his club would not tolerate that and his club would not tolerate that sort of thing.
“I think they will eventually split up and he will end up at another club.”
Addo-Carr had requested that the results of the second test be expedited in an attempt to quickly prove his innocence, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Firstly, I want to apologise to my team and our fans for all the headlines and discussions surrounding me and the club,” Addo-Carr told the publication.
Leading NRL journalists predict Addo-Carr will be sacked by his club soon
‘I know I have done nothing wrong and my name will be cleared in time.
“It’s frustrating that the club has to deal with this situation and I feel very bad about it. I want it to be known that I did not take drugs and I hope my name is cleared.”
‘I want to thank everyone at the club, especially Gus (general manager Phil Gould), (chairman) Adam (Driussi) and (coach) Cameron (Ciraldo).
“Until my name is cleared, I will do what is best for the team. My focus is completely on today (the elimination final against Manly) and my heart is with the lads.
“I hope to get the chance to show what the club means to me next week.”
