Josh Addo-Carr only tested once by NSW Police as Canterbury Bulldogs star stands himself down for Manly final

The drug test that Josh Addo-Carr’s NRL career hangs on could take as long as 10 weeks to return a result as Canterbury football boss Gus Gould confirmed if the test came back positive for cocaine Addo-Carr’s future at the club could be in jeopardy.

The latest development in the saga comes as it was revealed Addo-Carr only underwent one drug test instead of the standard two and he professed his innocence to Bulldogs officials.

He has also engaged lawyers as he stood himself down from playing in the Bulldogs sudden death final against Manly on Sunday.

Addo-Carr was not tested twice, as is police procedure, because the officers had to respond to an emergency.

NSW Police released more details about what happened during the roadside test in Wentworth Point on Friday night.

“The driver - a 29-year-old man - was subject to a roadside breath test which returned a negative result,” the statement said.

“The driver underwent a preliminary drug wipe, which allegedly returned a positive indication.

“An oral fluid sample was obtained and sent for further analysis.

“At this time, an urgent call for assistance was received in relation to a reported attempted home invasion on Church Street, Lidcombe, about 10.54pm.

“A secondary drug wipe was not conducted as officers were required to respond to the urgent call.

“The investigation is ongoing, as police await the results of the forensic analysis. No charges have been laid at this time.”

Columnist for The Nightly Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll said the bombshell claim would not mean Canterbury could be counted out after losing one of their biggest stars.

“You can’t write the Bulldogs off because of this. If this happened the day before Sunday’s game I don’t think they could beat manly. They’d be too rattled,” he said.

“But it’s only Tuesday and they have enough senior players and coaches to bond them together.

“I hope this whole issue doesn’t derail the Dogs because they’ve had such a great year.”

NSW Police also outlined to the Nightly how a roadside drug test worked.

“A preliminary test using a drug wipe is undertaken, and if the test returns a negative result the driver will be able to drive away.

“However, if there is a positive indication on the drug wipe, they have to provide a sample of oral fluid which is collected and sent for forensic analysis.

“The driver is then subjected to a further test using a second drug wipe. If the second drug wipe returns a negative result, the driver will be able to leave without being issued a 24-hour driving prohibition.

“However, if the second drug wipe returns a positive indication, they will be issued a 24-hour driving prohibition.

“Legal action is determined on the outcome of the forensic analysis of the oral fluid sample, not the drug wipes.

Earlier Gould defended his star player while admitting he felt the club was not told the whole truth initially by Addo-Carr.

“We accept Josh’s belief of his innocence and we will support him through the process,” Gould said.

“Josh has also engaged lawyers in his own personal defence, but that is a matter for him to report on later.

Addo-Carr told Bulldogs officials on Saturday morning the test was inconclusive, but he was in the clear as he was able to drive after the test.

It was only when the club received phone calls about the matter on Monday they discovered that the Australia Test star had allegedly returned a positive sample.

Gould said he accepted Addo-Carr did not intentionally mislead the club.

But he indicated on Tuesday that it was possible Addo-Carr would be playing this weekend if he had been clearer in the initial details on Saturday morning.

“Josh has at all times defended his innocence, and said he didn’t take this and didn’t do it,” Gould said.

“Did he lie to us? I’m convinced in Josh’s mind that he didn’t think we’d ever hear about this.

“So he probably didn’t tell me the whole truth of the first positive or what it read. He put that down to being inconclusive.

“So he hasn’t handled that part well.

“But do I think he deliberately lied to mislead me? No. That’s Josh.”

Jeral Skelton appears the likeliest man to come in on the wing for the Bulldogs this weekend, provided he can recover from a minor leg injury as expected.