The Newcastle Knights have joined the hunt for Josh Addo-Carr following revelations the Bulldogs winger has caught the eye of Parramatta.
This masthead revealed on Wednesday that Addo-Carr could make a shock switch from Canterbury to arch-rivals the Eels if he is released from his contr
Newcastle have also expressed interest in the NSW and Australia representative as a replacement for the Sydney Roosters-bound Dominic Young. Wests Tigers and the Dragons are also monitoring the situation.
The Eels and Knights have both expressed interest in entering talks with the star winger, but only if Canterbury agree to an immediate move.
The prospect of a swap of Eels forward Ryan Matterson for Addo-Carr was floated, but is unlikely to eventuate. Canterbury haven’t ruled out a player exchange, but their focus is on signing a front-rower rather than a back-rower. Parramatta would have to release a player to make the deal happen.
The Bulldogs have previously shown interest in the Saifiti brothers, but Newcastle won’t entertain a swap deal for either of their middle enforcers.
Daniel Saifiti is contracted until the end of 2026 on a deal worth about $900,000 a season. Jacob, who is in the Maldives on his honeymoon, is due to become a free agent on November 1, but is mulling over a lucrative contract extension on the table at the Knights.
Addo-Carr is on the outer with some Bulldogs officials, despite a recent clear-the-air meeting with football general manager Phil Gould. The premiership-winning winger is contracted until the end of 2025, but could depart sooner if the club benefits from the move. The Eels, Knights and Bulldogs all declined to comment.
The Eels have highlighted a need for more speed out wide, while the Bulldogs are short of forwards after losing Tevita Pangai jnr, Luke Thompson, Corey Waddell, Franklin Pele and Fa’amanu Brown. They have also landed Warriors forward Josh Curran for next season.
Addo-Carr has been in the spotlight in the off-season. The former Tigers and Storm flanker was hit with a two-game ban, served during Australia’s opening Pacific Championships Tests – as well as a $5000 fine ($3000 suspended) – for his role in a brawl during the Koori Knockout.
A week later, Addo-Carr uploaded an Instagram post linking the conflict in the Middle East with Indigenous land rights. After posting a photo of the Palestinian and Aboriginal flags with the caption “One struggle, one fight”, he swiftly deleted it and apologised.
This masthead revealed he was on the nose with some Canterbury powerbrokers before a meeting with Gould a fortnight ago. Gould said he wanted Addo-Carr to show more leadership, but assured him he was wanted at Belmore.
That may change after Parramatta said they would be interested if the 28-year-old becomes a free agent. The blue and golds’ three-quarter stocks were stretched in 2023 due to injuries and the relegation of Waqa Blake to reserve grade.
The Eels have signed Manly centre Morgan Harper on a one-year deal, but Addo-Carr is viewed as the X-factor the club needs after missing out on the play-offs in 2023. Parramatta’s only other signing for next season is forward Kelma Tuilagi from Manly.
Addo-Carr has scored 27 tries in 38 games for a Canterbury outfit that has struggled for points in his two seasons at the club. His popularity at Belmore is highlighted by the sale of more than $1 million of his personal merchandise brand, which resulted in him being crowned the NRL’s entrepreneur of the year.
The Eels and Bulldogs were contacted for comment.
The Bulldogs continue to be aggressive in the transfer market, with Warriors forward Curran set to make an immediate switch to Belmore.
Curran, who had been given permission to test the market despite having another year left on his deal, has agreed to terms with Canterbury.
He also spoke to the Dragons but told the club on Tuesday night that he would not be taking the offer.
He will join Stephen Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri and Jaeman Salmon as confirmed signings for Cameron Ciraldo’s side next year.
The Bulldogs have also announced a two-year deal for winger Blake Wilson until the end of 2025.
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