Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr has signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs on a four-year deal that will begin in 2022.
The NSW origin representative had been heavily linked with Wests Tigers and was thought to be heading over as early as this season as he sought an early release from his contract with the Storm.
But the 25-year-old today finalised a move to Belmore. The Bulldogs have already secured the services of Nick Cotric and Kyle Flanagan for this season and will score Penrith’s Matt Burton in 2022.
In a club statement, Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said the signing was “another sign that we are gradually piecing together a squad that has the right mix of experience and quality.
“Josh has been a proven performer at whatever level he has played and he will bring those elements of speed and strike-power that all clubs are looking for in their backline.
“Josh becomes another leader in our group and will bring the sort of winning attitude that the club is looking to create here at Belmore.
“We look forward to him joining us for the 2022 season and wish him all the best for next season,” he said.
For his part, Melbourne’s general manager of football Frank Ponissi said the Storm were pleased Addo-Carr would see out his contract with the Storm until the end of the upcoming season.
The Blacktown-born Addo-Carr played junior rugby league with various sides in the Sydney area, before making his debut for the Tigers in 2016.
He has scored 79 tries in 105 NRL games – 96 for the Storm – while also scoring eight tries in his nine appearances for the Blues in State of Origin and one try in his two Tests for Australia.
mushi
Roar Guru
Just saw a quote from kyle Flanagan which might explain his roosters exit "you only need to score 18 points to win these days" No one in the top 8 in 2020 averaged 18 pts or less and only 4 in the bottom 8, oh and no winner in a finals match either... Not a lot of hope if your half back is aiming for a losing score and to not play finals
kersed
Roar Rookie
Hook, line and sinker!
Walter Black
Guest
I agree re the Sharks. Morris has not done that bad a job. I was hoping that the Sharks had learned from the past and wouldn't go near the disgraced Flanagan again but it seems not. Morris has a load more integrity for me. I don't want it to be the Dragons either but I am not sensing the improvement that teams like Titans / Warriors / Doggies / Broncos have. Manly have Dessie so that could keep them off the bottom so its not looking good. It will be an interesting year.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Lots are predicting the Sharks. Morris is really up against it, sad when he is doing quite well and some of his own people want him out for Flanno to return, and could possibly even welcome a failed year to help that happen. Please not the Dragons, we have had enough pain...
Walter Black
Guest
And I wonder which gun totting covid restriction breaking mate with the initials LM might have put that idea in his head ? I like Josh as a player, he is fantastic to watch and gives teams an attacking play that other wingers can't match but he is easily led astray. I do hope Sydney works out for him but he may just have shot his career in the foot with this move.
Walter Black
Guest
I think the race for the spoon might be harder to predict this year that the Premiers. Depending on how the season pans out, I think the Sharks, Dragons and Manly could be in a heap of trouble come the pointy end.
Walter Black
Guest
That was my reading of the situation also kersed and that is exactly the kind of player that Bellamy has a habit of turning around. As long as Reimis buys in, I think Melbourne will be good for the lad.
Kick n Clap
Guest
“ Well the once Mighty Eels”, I think you need to be looking closer to home my friend. It’s alright that Brad Arthur wins the Beach race and shows how fit he is etc .etc. but he’s biggest Coach choker there is? This year with Squad, the Stadium Parra have well underperformed. I tipped them to possibly win the comp, but unfortunately they have continued to choke or under perform at the wrong key moments of a season. Who do you blame for this ? The blame has to lie firmly with coach, I’m afraid. I thought they would have learnt a big lesson from game over at Melbourne a season a go in the playoffs where they made good account of themselves, but then fell away. I’m afraid, I can’t see the necessary improvements this year either?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate. I appreciate your very kind thoughts, thank you. It's a tricky business. The Avalon RSL is closed - it may open in the next day or two. The Avalon Bowling Club is shut until further notice. The Government has requested that everyone in Avalon, Palmie, Whalie, and I think Newport not leave their residences for three days. I had a test yesterday as I was having a few refreshments in the Bowling Club at the time they reckon a carrier was in there. Mind you, I'd back my bloodstream against a virus any day of the week. I'm confident. Thanks again for the note.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah it was gut wrenching only winning 2 premierships in a row. The last decade has sucked
mushi
Roar Guru
I wonder if the last few years was "the recession the dogs had to have". It is a lot like when the roosters had a list of past their prime ex rep players on huge contracts. I think the pain in unwinding that debacle taught management a lot. Hopefully, for doggies fans, the belmore boys likewise learn
mushi
Roar Guru
they don’t justify it… Cotric was a head scratcher. He’s on Manu money which isn’t a great deal for the dogs You can’t just keep repeating mistakes, otherwise every half back would be on 1.5m using hunt as the benchmark
kersed
Roar Rookie
Yeah, its okay, we will return to strength without rorting the cap and re-enact our 2004 glory over the bin chooks. It's been good watching a side with everything in its favour choke and crash out of the finals in straight sets #3peat.
Big Daddy
Guest
HY, hope things are okay up on the peninsula. Keep safe :thumbup:
Big Daddy
Guest
Now that he's on decent coin he can probably afford a decent hairdresser. Obviously has no mirrors in his house.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Not convinced of 8. 9 or 10th perhaps, really haven't got that 1 extra gun forward we need. Was hoping for Offa or someone of that quality, instead we snaffled other club's reserves...
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
I’ll just stick to The Roosters, but you keep hanging onto hope, that sometime in the next 20 yrs you’ll get to see your team win a grand final.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Let's hope so DPS. The last four years have been a struggle so hopefully we can start to climb the ladder (with realistic expectations). I haven't read much about your Dragons mate. A top 8 finish?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Dumped the Spoon for the next few years Chris, well done. Looking like a decent squad.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I'm an outsider making some casual observations, so thanks for providing some clarity/feedback. "His team selections and bench rotations were also puzzling at best." Semi agreed. There were certainly times, even from an outsider, that I couldn't understand some of his selections. That said I would used "at times" over "at best" in the sentence above. Good luck with Barrett, but he's going to need to get some (plenty) of runs on the board as a head coach before I'd be changing my opinion/expectations.