It was the half time decision that could have major ramifications for the future of Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr.
New details have emerged about the events leading up to the 29-year-old’s roadside drugs test last Friday night, which the winger failed. He has subsequently stood himself down for the finals clash against Manly.
According toThe Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio, an injured Addo-Carr was attending the South Sydney vs Roosters clash at Accor Stadium on Friday night with Bulldogs players and staff, but left at half time to get a phone charger.
It was on this drive that he was pulled over by police on Baywater Drive where he was submitted to a random roadside drug test.
It showed indications of cocaine. He was taken into the back of the police car and ordered to undertake a second oral test, the results of which are still pending.
According to the Telegraph report, the test was sealed in a bag and according to Addo-Carr he was told he was free to leave.
Addo-Carr then reportedly drove back to the team hotel. The following morning it is understood he informed club officials of what had transpired.
“That’s the explanation at this point in time,” Riccio said Tuesday night’s NRL 360.
The decision to leave the game to find a charger was questioned by Bulldogs great Braith Anasta.
“He left at half time to get a phone charger?” Anasta asked.
“That’s a bit odd.”
NRL great Gorden Tallis agreed, stating; “You’d think a teammate would have a phone charger. You’d think someone in the stadium would have a phone charger.”
“It shouldn’t be that important, should it? It’s okay to live for 40 minutes without your phone.”
Under the current CBA, neither the Bulldogs or the NRL are allowed to stand Addo-Carr down from playing duties until the results of his secondary test.
Should that secondary test return a positive result, the panel then questioned what the club’s next steps will be.
“If he is found guilty, if there is a second test that returns positive, will they sack him?” Anasta asked.
“Given that not only is it positive, but he also, if it is positive, has lied to the club.”
Fox League’s Paul Crawley believe Addo-Carr’s status at the Bulldogs would complicate matters, but feels if the test comes back negative the winger’s time at Belmore may come to a close.
“The club’s in a difficult situation because he’s one of their higher paid players, he’s a senior player at the club, he’s supposed to be a leader, and if he lets them down on that front it would be hard to stand by him,” Crawley said.
Riccio believes Addo-Carr’s popularity within the entire Bulldogs community, especially it’s fanbase, could hurt the winger, in the event he is found guilty of these allegations.
“With that (popularity) comes influence, and when you’re an influential player, (which) Josh Addo-Carr is on that footy club, on the game, within the community, in front of young kids. I think when you’re weighing up whether to terminate someone’s contract that has to come into it,” he said.
“You actually are held to a higher account, in my eyes, given the influence that you have at that club.
“Not only that, he takes up a hung chunk of their salary cap.”
However, Crawley believes the toughest punishment imposed on Addo-Carr, if he is found guilty, should come from the NRL, not the Bulldogs.
“You’d love to see the day where the game takes a stronger stance against players who have tested positive,” he said.
“It is a society problem, drugs, but it’s also a game I think the game could confront better. Young men on building sites, if they ever test positive to a drug, they’re not allowed to work, they lose their jobs.”
