KIERSTEN DUKE: Josh Addo-Carr deserves second chance in NRL as Bulldogs led by Gus Gould to decide his fate

He might be one of the fastest men in rugby league but there’s no getting away from this one.

Josh Addo-Carr has effectively admitted his guilt after testing positive for cocaine and accepting a fine and a three-month driving ban following his now infamous late-night drive apparently in search of a phone charger.

The Foxx stood himself down from Sunday’s game against Manly and had to watch on as the Bulldogs’ season ended in a heartbreaking 24-22 loss.

It would have been gut-wrenching to watch it unfold from the sideline with Canterbury in control for the majority of the sudden death final.

If this wasn’t enough of a punishment the NRL integrity unit is assessing what action the league should take against Addo-Carr and it remains unclear whether the Foxx will face the axe at Belmore.

Addo-Carr has a lot to do to rebuild the trust of fans, many of them children who idolise him in the suburbs of south western Sydney, but let’s not give up on him yet as rugby league loves a comeback story.

Take Russell Packer for example. The former rugby league enforcer’s NRL career came to an abrupt halt in 2014 when he was found guilty of stomping on a man’s head repeatedly during a drunken brawl over two cigarettes in Sydney’s CBD.

At just 24 years old he was sentenced to two years in prison. It was during a visit to prison from his young daughter that Packer realised his actions were severely affecting those he loved. Things needed to change.

And thankfully, change they did. On his return to freedom, Packer was offered a lifeline from St George who helped re launch his career.

He undertook a Cert IV in Community Services at TAFE followed by a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Cert in Business at Wollongong University before transferring to UNSW for his MBA.

On top of his studies Packer spent time working at rookie camps, encouraging young players to prioritise studying while making their way through the grades.

He went on to also play for Wests Tigers and made the national New Zealand team before retiring in 2021.

His story might seem like a totally different kettle of fish to Addo-Carr but the message is the same.

We all make mistakes and it’s only until we’re given the opportunity to learn from them do we better ourselves.

The 29-year-old has just one year left on his contract with the Bulldogs. Now would be a great time for the club to stand up and provide him with the tools he needs to make up for his mistakes and to move forward positively.

It was thanks to St George that Packer turned his life around along with cognitive behavioural therapy amongst other healing methods.

Perhaps the Bulldogs can offer their star winger this type of support moving into their final year together?

While I appreciate the club being incredibly reluctant to be seen condoning drug taking, they could find a way to make clear they abhor taking drugs and driving while support the Foxx on his path to redemption.

I feel that a little bit of empathy and some common sense would go a long way here.

What the Bulldogs should do next is the talk of the rugby league town. The Dogfather, aka Gus Gould, was outspoken about Latrell Mitchell’s behaviour this year and how his club would never condone drug use after the white powder photo affair involving the South’s star.

Some would say Gould has left himself no choice but to sack Addo-Carr, but what the club sorely missed in the dying stages of that elimination final was someone who had been there before in big games and that is the Foxx.

If the Bulldogs do decide to tear up his contract, I am sure there are several clubs that will be forgiving and offer him a second chance given his talent and experience.

He might need to take a pay cut from his current deal of $550,000 a year but let’s face it, he’ll hardly be scrimping by.

Parramatta were floated momentarily as an option, but that idea was quickly shut down with new coach Jason Ryles in the middle of a roster rebuild. The Dragons are also looking at a list overhaul and star winger Zac Lomax is heading to the Eels.

With the Eels rumours quickly shut down it does beg the question, has Addo-Carr truly played his last game for the Bulldogs? I doubt we’ll be waiting much longer to find out and I hope the answer is no.