Where do you think he will wind up if he is released by the Bulldogs?
What a week it has been for the Bulldogs and their fan base.
A first Finals appearance since 2016 dominated headlines and led to an all-time record crowd for week one of the Finals.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all positive for fans in blue and white as one of their stars, Josh Addo-Carr, made headlines for negative reasons.
Avoiding all that for now, the likely outcome is his being removed from the club.
Phil Gould is not the man you want to be allowed to make a fool of himself in the media. It’s expected the Dogs supremo will make the tough call and release Addo-Carr in the coming days.
Should that eventuate, I have no doubt there are a host of clubs right now trying to hide a grin.
Below are five potential landing spots for Josh Addo-Carr, should he depart the Bulldogs:
5St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons are currently very active in the player market, for good reason.
They’ve added Valetine Holmes and Damian Cook, with more signings expected to be announced.
Recently they were told by the management of Reagan Campbell-Gillard that the former Origin prop would not be wearing the Red V next season.
Considering the rumoured size of any potential RCG contract, there is obviously cap space there for the Dragons.
If Josh Addo-Carr was to come up, Shane Flanagan is certainly one coach who hasn’t had qualms dealing with these type of situations in the past.
Todd Carney played some brilliant football at the Sharks, although probably isn’t the best example of things working out.
Moses Suli has been a revelation at the Dragons and has recently been re-signed. That wasn’t a Flanagan purchase but he signed off on the extension.
The Dragons also need a star winger having lost Zac Lomax and with Mikaele Ravalawa linked with an exit.
JAC is set up in Sydney but looks like he needs a fresh start. I can absolutely see that coming in the Red V.
4Newcastle Knights
The Knights are in the midst of a massive clean out.
Four players are set to leave the club at the end of the season with no less than six players are linked with exits.
Despite signing James Schiller, Newcastle seem to be on the look out for a winger. They’ve failed to replace Dom Young, although Fletcher Sharpe’s late season form certainly is encouraging.
I’d argue that Addo-Carr’s best move may be to escape the pressure cooker of the Sydney media.
Newcastle, although not that far from Sydney, is in a world of its own. Those who have travelled north know it’s far less hustle and bustle.
If Newcastle are looking to free up cap space, Addo-Carr is a name that they’ll surely consider.
Kalyn Ponga was massively responsible for the Knights 2023 heroics, although he was helped by two metre eating wingers with plenty of pace.
Adding the Foxx would certainly add some spice to that backline.
Again, Fletcher Sharpe’s late emergence may be the stumbling block here, albeit a positive one, but right now Addo-Carr offers a massive threat out wide.
If Newcastle move on a Saifiti, Brailey or Hastings, watch this space!
3Overseas (Super League)
There are a host of sides in the Super League who you’d have to imagine would move heaven and earth to sign Josh Addo-Carr.
The Super League is littered with former NRL players who left under similar circumstances, only to star in England, or France.
Addo-Carr would score 30 tries in a season in the ESL for almost any side.
It would be a drastic move for a player who is not yet 30 year’s of age, but NRL clubs may freeze out his options and leave him no choice.
Part of me would love to see the Foxx light up the Super League. I just don’t think we’re ready to lose him to our competition just yet.
That said, if Wigan were to add the speedster, I’d certainly be tuning in wearing my cherry and white scarf.
2Canberra Raiders
With Jordan Rapana and Nick Cotric heading to England and James Schiller heading to Newcastle, the wing stocks are a little low in Canberra.
Xavier Savage looks like he has found his spot out wide and while Canberra’s stocks in NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg are elite, nothing stands out like Josh Addo-Carr.
Another move that would see JAC escape the Sydney scrutiny, a landing spot in the nation’s capital makes a world of sense.
Canberra have had a clear out of players so I’d be shocked if there wasn’t some room there to make a late move.
There is a shift in the capital towards youth with Jack Wighton leaving the club last year and the Whitehead and Rapana leaving now.
Canberra could probably used an experienced head, at least on the field.
The thought of the Foxx running out for the Green Machine does excite this rugby league fan!
1Parramatta Eels
This pretty much entirely comes down to what the Eels decide to do with Maika Sivo.
Earlier in the season it looked as though the Fijian wrecking ball was on his way out of the club, having been dropped to NSW Cup.
His late season form may have convinced Jason Ryles that there is still life there, but if not, Josh Addo-Carr’s sudden potential availability will surely peak an interest.
Zac Lomax signed to play centre and Blaize Talagai’s exit to the Panthers has plenty of questions in the Parra backline.
A potential Origin worthy wing combo of Lomax and Addo-Carr doesn’t look terrible on paper … at all!
Bailey Simonsson was re-signed in August while Sean Russell has filled in admirably lately. That said, neither as Josh Addo-Carr.
A potential combo of Sivo and Addo Carr, outside of Lomax and Penisini suddenly has the Eels looking frigthening out wide.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard was released last week, freeing up a fair chunk of change … I’m just saying.
