With curiosity, Dragons and Tigers observe as Knights join Eels in their search for Addo-Carr.
The news that Parramatta has developed an interest in Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has prompted the Newcastle Knights to step up their pursuit of him.
On Wednesday, this masthead disclosed that, should he be released from his contract, Addo-Carr might surprise everyone by joining the archrival Eels instead of Canterbury.
In addition, Newcastle has shown interest in the NSW and Australia representative to replace Dominic Young, who is headed to the Sydney Roosters. The Dragons and Wests Tigers are keeping an eye on the circumstances as well.
The talented winger has indicated interest in speaking with the Eels and Knights, but only if Canterbury agrees to a quick move.
Although it is unlikely to happen, the idea of Ryan Matterson, the forward for the Eels, being traded for Addo-Carr was mentioned. While they haven’t completely ruled out trading players, Canterbury is more interested in acquiring a front-row player than a back-rower. To complete the transaction, Parramatta would need to release a player.
The Saifiti brothers had already piqued the Bulldogs’ interest, but Newcastle won’t consider a trade for either of their middle enforcers.
Daniel Saifiti has a contract that pays roughly $900,000 every season through the end of 2026. While on his honeymoon in the Maldives, Jacob is considering the possibility of accepting a lucrative contract extension from the Knights before becoming a free agent on November 1.
As Addo-Carr
While the Bulldogs lack forwards with the losses of Tevita Pangai Jr., Luke Thompson, Corey Waddell, Franklin Pele, and Fa’amanu Brown, the Eels have made clear that they need more speed out wide. For the upcoming campaign, they have also signed Warriors forward Josh Curran.
The off-season has seen Addo-Carr in the limelight. The former Tigers and Storm flanker was fined $5000 ($3000 suspended) and banned for two games for his involvement in a brawl during the Koori Knockout during Australia’s inaugural Pacific Championship Tests.
A week later, Addo-Carr shared a post on Instagram tying Indigenous land rights to the Middle East crisis. Following the release of an image featuring the Aboriginal and Palestinian flags along with the statement, “One struggle, one fight,”
This masthead showed that, prior to a meeting with Gould two weeks ago, he was right on the money with several Canterbury powerbrokers. Gould reassured Addo-Carr that he was wanted at Belmore but added he wished he would demonstrate more leadership.
That might alter now that Parramatta has expressed interest in signing the 28-year-old should he become a free agent. Due to injuries and Waqa Blake’s promotion to reserve grade in 2023, the blue and golds’ three-quarter stocks were stretched.
Although Morgan Harper, a center for Manly, has signed a one-year contract with the Eels, Addo-Carr is seen as the extra element the team needs after losing out on the playoffs in 2023. The only other player signed by Parramatta for the next season is Manly forward Kelma Tuilagi.
In his two seasons with the team, Addo-Carr has scored 27 tries in 38 games for Canterbury, a team that has battled for points. The sale of his personal goods business for more than $1 million, which earned him the title of NRL entrepreneur of the year, is indicative of his popularity at Belmore.
We reached out to the Eels and Bulldogs to get comments.
Bulldogs are still active in the transfer market; Warriors forward Curran is expected to join Belmore right away.
Despite having one more year left on his contract, Curran was granted permission to test the market and has now agreed to terms with Canterbury.
He also had a conversation with the Dragons, but on Tuesday night he informed the team that he was declining the offer.
He will be the latest confirmed addition to Cameron Ciraldo’s squad for the upcoming season, joining Stephen Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri, and Jaeman Salmon.
Moreover, winger Blake Wilson has inked a two-year contract with the Bulldogs that runs through the end of 2025.
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