Josh Addo-Carr was sacked by the Canterbury Bulldogs on Thursday after a meeting with club officials.
It came after the winger tested positive for cocaine in a roadside drug test in September.
The 29-year-old, who accepted a $682 fine and a three-month driving ban after the incident, unsuccessfully pleaded his case to the club’s board after they served him with an infringement notice.
The club had initially backed their star in the immediate aftermath of events, but subsequently issued the winger a breach notice and decided to terminate his $500,000 per year contract.
On Thursday, the Bulldogs fan favorite and former State of Origin star was photographed arriving in Belmore with his lawyer Elias Tabchouri for a meeting with Bulldogs bosses.
During that conversation, Addo-Carr again agreed that he had “not knowingly used drugs,” the spokesperson said. The Sydney Morning Herald.
The outlet has also revealed some details discussed during the meeting, claiming the NRL star had a “growing number of hangers-on” surrounding him in the days leading up to the event.
Sources close to the newspaper claimed that Addo-Carr had promised attendees that he would ‘distance himself from the growing entourage – a clue to how he thinks he could have achieved a positive outcome’.
It is also understood that Addo-Carr has once again apologized for any distractions he may have caused to the club. The incident had occurred in the build-up to the Bulldogs’ elimination final defeat to Manly, which Addo-Carr had withdrawn from following his positive test.
The outlet adds that Addo-Carr had urged bosses to give him another chance after previously proving his innocence, with the club arranging the meeting to ensure the 29-year-old was given the chance to to give his version of events.
Details have emerged about what was discussed during Josh Addo-Carr’s meeting with Canterbury club bosses on Thursday
He has since worked on a construction site to revive his football career
Tabchouri reportedly spoke at length during the hearing and told the board that there was some confusion surrounding the testing process.
Addo-Carr had been allowed to drive away from the first roadside drug test before police visited his home to take a second sample.
On Friday, Addo-Carr released a statement to Bulldogs fans thanking them for their support over the past three years.
“To all Bulldogs fans and family, thank you for three unforgettable years. The love and support you have shown me since I arrived at Belmore has always been amazing and the memories will last forever,” he wrote on social media.
‘Bulldogs sponsors and board thank you for your continued support, I appreciate you all.
‘I would also like to thank my teammates and technical staff. We have built a brotherhood that will last forever and will be missed by our time together both on and off the field.”
He added that he was proud of helping the Bulldogs turn around their form after joining when the club was struggling in the league in 2022.
He added: “Unfortunately, circumstances no longer allow me to be with the Bulldogs, but I wish the club, my teammates and especially the fans nothing but success.”
It is clear that Canterbury bosses had lost confidence in Addo-Carr.
Managing director Phil Gould had previously spoken about there being ‘too many contradictions’ in Addo-Carr’s version of events.
The 29-year-old, who had one year left on his contract with the club, had tested positive for an illegal substance after a road test in September.
“I’ve said all along that Josh Addo-Carr came to us with a certain version of events, and over time that changed slightly from day to day depending on what was revealed,” he said in his Six Tackles with Gus podcast. .
But in a statement revealing the reasons for Addo-Carr’s dismissal, Canterbury had affirmed the importance of building a “culture based on clear norms and values”.
“Josh has been an important part of our club over the past three seasons. During this time he has provided many memorable moments for our members and fans,” chairman Adam Driussis said on Thursday.
“We understand Josh’s popularity with our passionate supporters and we share their disappointment that his time at the club has ended in this way,” Driussis said.
‘However, this season has shown how important it is to build a culture based on clear norms and values.
“While the NRL Integrity Unit has completed its investigation and imposed a four-match ban, the club considers the combination of the failed drug test and subsequent lack of transparency to be serious breaches of Josh’s contractual obligations and the standards of our club.”
Now that he’s a free agent, there’s speculation about where the 29-year-old could move next.
It is understood the Dragons had shown interest in the flying winger.
Addo-Carr would score 38 tries in the three seasons since arriving at the club in 2022, but since his sacking he has taken on a new role working alongside boxer Garth Wood on a construction site.
And in a bid to keep his football career alive, he revealed he recently trained at a boxing gym with Johnny Lewis.
‘I have a point to prove. I want to show people that I’m not done yet,” Addo-Carr told News Corp.
“I did some boxing sessions with Johnny Lewis in Erskineville last week.
“The last few days, Garth asked me if I wanted to do some work.
‘He was a boxer and he knows what it’s like to be in touch with reality every day.
Addo-Carr, who has pleaded not guilty, has been linked with a move to the Dragons
‘It’s definitely been a reality check.
‘It’s definitely difficult to get up and work day in and day out, as many football fans do every day.
‘I’m up early for boxing training and then I go to work and start the delivery.
“People who do this kind of work on the tools every day, it’s bloody tough, mate.
‘Hopefully this hard work will be rewarded.’