Josh Addo-Carr is set to stay with Melbourne in 2021 after a busy day for the NSW winger that included his manager meeting with Wests Tigers.
Addo-Carr’s management met with Tigers officials on Thursday, before the joint venture confirmed he would not arrive at the club this summer after previously pushing for a release from the Storm.
The NSW and Kangaroos Test winger will likely get an upgrade on his Melbourne deal, before hitting the open market for 2022 for his planned return to Sydney, for family reasons, as a fullback.
It’s expected several Sydney clubs, including Canterbury and the Tigers if they are still interested, could throw big money at him.
The Tigers still have a heads of agreement with the 25-year-old Addo-Carr, that will see him join them if he is released by the Storm early.
But realistically, they had accepted their fate for some time, and there remain several other options on the table for next year.
It’s believed the Tigers could ramp up interest in Josh Mansour after Penrith’s tough call to tell him he was free to leave.
League-wide though, clubs remain in no rush to finalise deals with almost half of them not set to return to training until January and the salary cap not yet set.
Meanwhile, Addo-Carr insisted on Thursday that the ongoing contract situation would not distract him before NSW’s Origin decider.
And nor would a bruised toe ground the flyer who remains on track to break an Origin record that has stood for two decades.
The prominent try scorer sent a scare through the Blues camp on Thursday when he was spotted on crutches and in a moon boot after their 34-10 win over Queensland.
He later emerged without it but was still limping, citing a bruised joint in his big toe that won’t require scans.
“It’s like a jarred finger, but on my toe,” Addo-Carr said.
I just got caught in an awkward tackle. One of the Queensland boys just landed on my foot.
“I should be sweet to play.”
His fitness is massive for the Blues after his speed on the right wing helped make Nathan Cleary’s kicking game what it was on Wednesday night.
Add-Carr has bagged doubles in both the opening two matches, meaning one more try next week will equal the most prolific try-scoring series in history.
Another double would give him the record on his own, putting him past the five scored by NSW’s Ryan Girdler in 2000 and Lote Tuqiri in 2002 for Queensland.
“All I have to do is catch a ball and run fast,” Addo-Carr said.
Sam
Guest
He's on the record as saying he wants to move back so his kids can grow up with their cousins, time doesn't have anything to do with it. He won't need to back flip next year because as of right now he can officially sign with any club he wants for 2021.
Chris
Roar Pro
Can bet there would be a future world class replacement in the wings though.
Walter Black
Guest
That upgrade would have been in the pipeline for Josh no matter where he went. Josh had a really tough year losing family last year which prompted his desire to move back to Sydney. The Storm were smart in asking for an equivalent replacement and in knowing that time is a great healer in these things. I hope that Josh is comfortable in this decision and with any luck does another back flip next year.
Sam
Guest
Apparently the Storm have also given JAC an extra $100k top up to his contract, nothing like a bit of cold hard cash to cure homesickness
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I also heard the Storm signed Reimus Smith from Canterbury. He's a good player.
Tony
Roar Guru
In other words - Melbourne hold him up to his contract. Other clubs please take note.
Tony
Roar Guru
You needed a whole millisecond?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Happy to have the Foxx around for another year. Losing two top class wingers would have been difficult to replace, especially with their unique skillsets - Foxx speed and Vunivalu's aerial ability. Hope they manage to help him with the family issues that is making him want to make the move back to Sydney.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good call by JAC. If he were to leave Bleak City, he'd turn into a bum within no time. And , oh, should I play for the Storm - or be admitted into the Wests Tigers Asylum? Give me a millisecond to think about it.