On top of the $12,000 penalty, the NRL proposes to fine the premiership-winning winger a further $3000 for his role in a brawl at Koori Knockout last off-season. That fine was initially suspended, but the latest incident means Addo-Carr is facing a total of $15,000 in penalties.
The NRL will take into account the fact that Addo-Carr stood himself down from Canterbury’s finals loss to Manly, meaning he will only need to serve a further three games.
“Addo-Carr was issued with a Penalty Notice by NSW Police earlier this month for the offence of ‘Presence of prescribed illicit drug in person’s oral fluid, blood or urine’ while driving a motor vehicle,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The Breach Notice alleges that Addo-Carr has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his Club into disrepute. Addo-Carr has 5 business days to respond to the Breach Notice.”
Josh Addo-Carr.Credit: NRL photos
Addo-Carr accepted a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving following the incident that has left a cloud over his future at Canterbury. He said he accepted the police infringement notice to spare his club and family adverse publicity, a move that effectively ends the matter from a policing or court perspective
During a 90-minute grilling from the NRL’s integrity unit last Thursday, Addo-Carr maintained he didn’t knowingly take any illicit drugs.
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould said last week that Addo-Carr’s version of events held “too many contradictions”, but would wait for the NRL to conclude its process before deciding next steps.
“At the end of the day what we have is a positive drug test, that there were drugs in his system last Friday night,” Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I believe he’s still protesting his innocence in that. But at [some stage] he’s going to have to explain to himself and explain to people that matter exactly how that’s happened and why it’s happened.”
‘It’s Nate’s jersey’: But Cherry-Evans ready if Roos need him
Daly Cherry-Evans has conceded Nathan Cleary will be the Kangaroos’ No. 7, but he will welcome the chance to represent his country if coach Mal Meninga needs him.
An extended Australian squad for the Pacific Championships is being finalised with uncertainty surrounding Cleary and whether he will require shoulder surgery in the off-season.
Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses is expected to feature, as will North Queensland’s Tom Dearden and Canterbury’s Matt Burton. But Cherry-Evans, the incumbent halfback, risks being frozen out altogether if Cleary is available.
The Manly skipper would love another shot against an injury-hit New Zealand and Tonga, but said he had made peace with falling behind Cleary in the pecking order.
Cherry-Evans added he would need to make a call on his representative future if he wanted to prolong his club career beyond 2025.
Daly Cherry-Evans might yet receive a call from Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.Credit: Getty
“If Nate is healthy, Nate plays,” Cherry-Evans said. “It’s Nate’s jersey, Nate is the No. 7 when healthy. But there sounds like a bit of uncertainty there [with his injury] and that’s why I’m going to keep the door open.
“I didn’t think I was playing for Australia last year until grand final night when he [Cleary] got injured.
“I’m getting closer to retiring from rep footy, no doubt about it. There will be that thing for me to continue in the NRL, at some stage I might have to sacrifice rep footy, I definitely understand that, but I don’t think it’s right now, not.”
Mystery surrounds the availability of Cameron Munster with Melbourne expecting him to undergo double hip surgery in the off-season.
Meninga has placed a lot of value in Origin representation, which has Connor Watson putting pressure on Ben Hunt to be Harry Grant’s understudy.
A Test debut would cap an excellent year for Watson, who returned from a serious knee injury in 2023 and started this campaign in the NSW Cup.
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Watson is not the only Rooster pressing for a surprise international debut with journeyman clubmate Zach Dockar-Clay, who has played just 20 NRL matches, looming as a left-field choice for New Zealand coach Stacey Jones.
Halves Dylan Brown and Kieran Foran won’t play for the Kiwis due to injuries, leaving Jones trying to tempt Shaun Johnson out of his short-lived retirement and Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland and Dockar-Clay as No.9 options.
Dockar-Clay, 29, was 18th man for the Roosters in their semi-final triumph over the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and has chalked up six games for the tricolours this year. He only made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2022.
Meanwhile, Manly’s Lehi Hopoate could be the latest from his illustrious family to represent Tonga, with the Pacific nation set to include the teenage star in their squad for the Pacific Championships.
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