Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has backed club leaders in handling what he described as a “non-ideal” situation after it was confirmed star winger Josh Addo-Carr will not play against the Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
What was supposed to be a special week for the NRL club ahead of its first finals game since 2016 has been derailed by Addo-Carr pulling out of the must-win clash following an alleged positive road test to an illicit substance, with the club now awaiting the results of a second sample.
It’s a distraction they didn’t need, but Crichton is confident the players will move on quickly.
“We have a very important game to focus on this week, so we’ll put that aside and the club will deal with that while the players focus on something very important this Sunday,” he said.
‘It’s probably not ideal for preparation and all that, but the lads have been preparing really well.
‘He (Addo-Carr) has been key for this club over the last few years and for us this year as well, so it will be quite difficult but the lads coming in will get the job done.
“Things happen, but it’s just how you react to them. It wasn’t the best situation, but the lads have a job to do and the club will deal with it.”
Centre Bronson Xerri usually plays inside Addo-Carr on the left wing and says his only option is to move on without the man he described as the “best winger in the competition”.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has backed club leaders in handling what he described as a “non-ideal” situation after it was confirmed winger Josh Addo-Carr will not play against the Sea Eagles on Sunday.
Addo-Carr has withdrawn from Canterbury’s must-win NRL finals match following an alleged positive road test for an illicit substance last Friday.
“It’s a tough day for the club but we have a job to do this weekend so we’ll put all the distractions aside and focus on the game,” he said.
“Obviously we’re going to miss him because he’s the best winger in the competition, so it’s going to be a big loss, but we’re moving on.”
Addo-Carr is reportedly being investigated by New South Wales Police after allegedly failing a roadside drug test that returned a positive result for cocaine.
The 29-year-old man was stopped by police and allegedly tested positive while driving on Friday night, according to reports. News Corporation.
The NRL star has not been charged and further analysis of the evidence is needed first.
The result may take up to 10 weeks.
Addo-Carr reportedly informed the Bulldogs about the incident, but there is some confusion as boss Phil Gould initially claimed the test came back “negative”.
NSW Police issued a statement saying: ‘At approximately 10.45pm on Friday, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback to carry out random testing.
‘The driver, a 29-year-old man, was tested on the road and found to be positive for cocaine. The sample was sent for analysis.’
Gould posted on social media about the incident on Monday, saying there was “no truth to the rumours” that Addo-Carr had issues to worry about.
‘In response to the rumours circulating and now a number of media enquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr,’ The Bulldogs supremo posted on X.
Josh Addo-Carr (pictured) is reportedly being investigated by NSW Police after allegedly failing a roadside drug test.
The Bulldogs winger was stopped by police and allegedly returned a positive test result while driving on Friday night.
‘On Friday afternoon, Josh was stopped by police and subjected to a random roadside drug test. The test results were negative and Josh was able to continue on his way.
“It happens to all of us at some point on the road. There is absolutely no truth to the rumours that Josh has had any problems. Absolutely none.”
This comes after Addo-Carr has endured a difficult couple of seasons with constant injury concerns.
He was sidelined again during the Bulldogs’ loss to the Cowboys last weekend at Accor Stadium due to leg discomfort.
The NRL has yet to comment on the situation.