Following a board meeting on Thursday afternoon, Josh Addo-Carr’s time at the Bulldogs came to an end when the team terminated his contract. He then sent fans an emotional message.
The decision was made after the winger, who stood himself down for the team’s first finals game in eight years, tested positive for cocaine after a roadside drug test in September.
The club had supported Addo-Carr at the time because of his version of events, but administrators were incensed when his claims didn’t match the police’s findings.
During his time at Belmore, the winger thanked his supporters in a brief statement.
Thank you for a fantastic three years, Bulldogs family and fans. He wrote, The memories will last forever, and the love and support you’ve given me since I arrived at Belmore has always been amazing.
Thank you to the Bulldogs’ board and sponsors for your continued support; I truly appreciate it.
I also want to thank the coaching staff and my teammates. We will miss our time together on and off the field, and we created a fraternity that will endure forever.
When I joined the Bulldogs in 2022, the team was in dire straits and at its lowest.
I wanted to help rebuild a winning culture and, most importantly, help restore the club to the powerhouse it once was,” Addo-Carr added. I’m honored to have contributed to that turnaround in three years.
I wish the club, my teammates, and most importantly the fans nothing but success, but unfortunately, circumstances will not allow me to be at the Bulldogs any longer.
The Bulldogs announced on Thursday night that the prolific try-scorer had played his farewell game for the team after the NRL at the time issued a breach notice to the former Australian winger.
Addo-Carr is expected to be among the most sought-after players on the open market, and the Eels and Dragons have been linked to his services for the 2025 campaign.
Josh Addo-Carr’s playing contract has been terminated by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs football team, with immediate effect. The board gave great thought to this decision, which was not made hastily, according to a club statement.
Over the last three seasons, Josh has played a vital role in our team. He has given our members and fans a lot of unforgettable moments during this time. Our ardent fan base understands Josh’s appeal, and we share their disappointment that his time with the team has ended in this manner.
But this season has shown how crucial it is to create a culture founded on unambiguous rules and principles.
The club considers the failed drug test and the ensuing lack of openness to be major violations of Josh’s contractual commitments and our club’s standards, even if the NRL Integrity Unit has concluded its investigation and suspended him for four games.
With extensive welfare initiatives that extend far beyond football, helping our players continues to be a top concern for our team. We will always support our players throughout challenging times, but we can only do so successfully when there is total transparency and confidence.
We hope the future holds nothing but the best for Josh and his family. Josh and his family can still get in touch with our welfare team at this time. At this time, the club will not be commenting further on this matter.