Source : the age
Josh Addo-Carr’s Parramatta career was hanging in the balance on Monday night after a crunch meeting between the veteran winger and the Eels board to discuss his future.
Addo-Carr had allegedly tested positive to cocaine at a random police roadside test in September, but in a stunning development on Monday – just hours before he was scheduled to front club directors – police informed the veteran winger that his second test result had come back negative, meaning there would be no further action against him.
Prior to Monday’s twist, there had been speculation Addo-Carr was poised to be sacked. Now, it may be that a career that appeared over could resume with the blue and golds.
Parramatta officials are expected to make a decision on Addo-Carr’s future later this week.
With players set to return to pre-season training, the Eels had been keen to bring the matter to a head and gave Addo-Carr an opportunity to provide his version of events.
Addo-Carr remained tight-lipped as he left the club’s headquarters at around 5.50pm. However his lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, told the waiting media: “The club were very generous with their time. The club were able to allow us to express our thoughts in relation to this situation. We remain positive in relation to the negative finding for the B test, and we remain committed to the club.”
Pressed on whether Addo-Carr would remain in the blue and gold next year, Tabchouri said: “That’s a matter for the club right now. We’re waiting for the outcome.”
The veteran winger had arrived for the meeting just after 4.30pm clutching a copy of God’s Word – Your Journey To Freedom, a book described as a “bible specifically prepared for the incarcerated”.
Dressed in a black shirt and shorts, Addo-Carr did not speak to the waiting media but pointed to the cover of the paperback.
Addo-Carr, 31, would not answer questions about the tome, while Tabchouri quipped: “He’ll put the review on Amazon soon.”
When asked why Addo-Carr had spent a month in a rehabilitation facility, when his B sample was negative, Tabchouri said: “That was for his mental health.”
The Eels board met at the club’s Kellyville base with new CEO Mike Rush dialled in from England. The club’s lower-grade players trained on the adjoining fields, unaware that one of their biggest names was fighting for his future.
The premiership-winning winger is a popular member of the club on and off the field, having scored 27 tries since joining Parramatta last year.
The former Storm star was sacked after providing a positive roadside test while employed at Canterbury in a separate incident two years ago.
Tabchouri said Addo-Carr remained committed to the Eels.
“The police have confirmed the drug test carried out on Josh on September 11, 2026 has returned a result of nil drugs detected,” Tabchouri said. “Josh has always maintained – and still maintains – a commitment to the Parramatta club.”
If Addo-Carr had been found guilty of a second drug positive incident, it would have resulted in an automatic 12-game suspension as mandated by the NRL.
Addo-Carr lost a sponsorship deal with automotive firm JAC and spent about a month in a rehab centre after the news of his alleged positive test broke.
The Eels have already made contingency plans for a future without him at the club. They had been in discussions with Melbourne centre Jack Howarth, but opted to abandon those negotiations. They have also been linked to Penrith’s Blaize Talagi, but if there is to be any pursuit it will be for 2028 due to his Achilles injury.
Newcastle winger James Schiller is a potential signing for 2027, while Bradman Best and Jack Bostock have been linked to the Eels the following year.
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