Bulldogs finals prep derailed by Josh Addo-Carr’s surprise drugs test

The Canterbury Bulldogs finals preparation has been completely derailed after news broke that winger Josh Addo-Carr allegedly tested positive for cocaine on Friday night. The 29-year-old was stopped by police at a random checkpoint after leaving training on Friday. Bulldogs have an elimination finals match against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles this Sunday.  

Star winger fails drugs test 

It has been eight years since the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs last qualified for a finals series. Instead of celebrating their return this week, they club are instead dealing with a massive scandal involving star winger Josh Addo-Carr. 
 
According to a NSW Police statement released on Monday a 29-year-old, presumably Addo-Carr, was pulled over and “subject to roadside testing, which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine.” 
 
The full statement says: “About 10.45pm on Friday ( September 6, 2024), officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command were patrolling Baywater Drive, Wentworth Point, when they stopped a Toyota hatchback for random testing. 
 
“The driver–a 29-year-old man–was subject to roadside testing which allegedly returned a positive indication for cocaine. 
 
“The sample has been sent for analysis,” the statement explained.  

Addo-Carr to be “stood down” by club 

Following the news of Addo-Carr’s alleged positive drugs test, Canterbury opened their own investigation into the matter. The NRL is believed to be “liaising with the club” about the drugs test.  
 
However, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould released a statement saying the matter was settled. 
 
“In response to circulating rumours and now several media enquiries regarding Josh Addo-Carr,” Gould said, “Josh was pulled over and subjected to a random roadside drug test. The test results were negative and Josh was allowed to continue on his way. 
 
“Happens to all of us at some stage on the roads…There is absolutely no truth to rumours that Josh had any issue. None whatsoever.” 
 
It now appears this was a bit premature from Gould.  
 
9News Journalist Danny Weidler has reported that Bulldogs plan on excluding Addo-Carr from their finals prep due to the incident on Friday night.  
 
“From all the information I've been able to gather to this point ... expect Josh Addo Carr to be stood down by the Bulldogs later today (Tuesday),” he said.  

Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles preview 

Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles kicks off at 4:05pm on Sunday, September 15 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Barring something truly unexpected, Canterbury will be without Addo-Carr in that match.  
 
Even without the 29-year-old winger, the Bulldogs should have enough talent to get past the Sea Eagles on Sunday at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The betting sites disagree with this prediction though.  
 
PlayUp have Canterbury-Bankstown as slight underdogs at $1.95 odds to win compared to Manly’s $1.85 betting odds. In the match line, PlayUp have Manly as -1.5 point favourites.  

Most other Australian betting sites also believe that this will be the closest-fought match of the 2024 finals’ opening weekend. Bulldogs finished just one point above the Sea Eagles in the 2024 NRL ladder.