Parramatta Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the club's board on Monday, where he is expected to provide his version of events regarding an alleged positive roadside drug test for cocaine in September. The meeting, which Addo-Carr is expected to attend with his lawyer Elias Tabchouri and agent Marcel Tartak, could see the club terminate his contract.
The meeting comes 50 days after the alleged roadside test, with police yet to reveal the results of a second sample. With players poised to return to pre-season training, the Eels want to bring the matter to a head.
It is Addo-Carr's second drugs drama. He was sacked by the Canterbury Bulldogs after a positive roadside test, lost a sponsorship deal, and spent about a month in a rehabilitation centre. Following his departure from Canterbury, Addo-Carr said he held no grudges. "Very disappointed, you don't want to go out like that," he said in November 2024. "I wish them all the best, they are a wonderful club."
The Eels are preparing for his likely departure. The club abandoned talks with Melbourne's Jack Howarth and has been linked to Newcastle winger James Schiller, along with Bradman Best and Jack Bostock. If the second test is positive, Addo-Carr will be forced to miss 12 games, a sanction that would apply even if he is playing for a rival club.
Since joining Parramatta last year, Addo-Carr has scored 27 tries. He is a popular member of the club on and off the field.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The board's decision will set a precedent for how NRL clubs handle repeat offences under the league's drug policy, balancing player welfare with professional accountability.
- Addo-Carr's fate directly affects the Eels' roster planning for the upcoming season, with contingency signings already being explored.
- The case highlights the ongoing strain between the NRL's strict anti-doping rules and players' personal off-field conduct.
Background
Josh Addo-Carr is a premiership-winning winger who joined Parramatta after a long stint with the Canterbury Bulldogs. He was sacked by Canterbury in 2024 under almost identical circumstances, when a positive roadside drug test led to the end of his time with the club and a period in rehabilitation. The NRL's illicit drugs policy enforces a 12-game suspension for a second offence.
What to Watch
- The immediate outcome of Monday's board meeting and whether Parramatta terminates Addo-Carr's contract or allows him to remain subject to NRL sanctions.
- The release of the second sample's results by police, which will confirm the roadside test and trigger official NRL sanctions.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedParramatta summoned Josh Addo-Carr to face the board over an alleged positive roadside cocaine test.WA Today - Latest News: “To that end, Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the Parramatta board on Monday, where he will be expected to provide his version of events. The premiership-winning winger is a popular member of the club on and off the field. Addo-Carr has scored 27 tries since joining Parramatta last year.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr’s career hangs in the balance.WA Today - Latest News: “Josh Addo-Carr’s career hangs in the balance.”
- SupportedThe club could terminate Addo-Carr’s contract.WA Today - Latest News: “Parramatta could rip up Josh Addo-Carr’s contract as soon as Monday after summoning the winger to front the Eels board.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr is due before the board on Monday to give his version of events about the alleged test.WA Today - Latest News: “Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the Parramatta board on Monday, where he will be expected to provide his version of events.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr is expected to attend with lawyer Elias Tabchouri and agent Marcel Tartak.WA Today - Latest News: “Addo-Carr is expected to be accompanied by lawyer Elias Tabchouri and agent Marcel Tartak when he fronts directors in a bid to salvage his career.”
- SupportedThe meeting comes 50 days after the test.WA Today - Latest News: “However, it has now been 50 days since the test was conducted and police are yet to reveal the results of a second sample.”
- SupportedPolice have yet to reveal the results of a second sample.WA Today - Latest News: “police are yet to reveal the results of a second sample.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr said, “Very disappointed, you don’t want to go out like that,” in November 2024.WA Today - Latest News: ““Very disappointed, you don’t want to go out like that,” Addo-Carr said in November 2024.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr said, “I wish them all the best, they are a wonderful club.”WA Today - Latest News: “I wish them all the best, they are a wonderful club.””
- SupportedAddo-Carr was sacked by Canterbury after a positive roadside test.WA Today - Latest News: “he was sacked after providing a positive roadside test while employed at Canterbury”
- SupportedIf the second test is positive, Addo-Carr will have to miss 12 games, even if playing for a rival club.WA Today - Latest News: “If the second test is positive, Addo-Carr will be forced to miss 12 games. That sanction would still apply if he is playing for a rival club.”
- SupportedAddo-Carr has scored 27 tries since joining Parramatta last year.WA Today - Latest News: “Addo-Carr has scored 27 tries since joining Parramatta last year.”