Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ general manager of football, expressed his nerves ahead of Josh Addo-Carr’s debut with the Parramatta Eels this weekend against Canterbury, the team that let him go last year after he was found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs. Although Addo-Carr had signed a multi-year contract with Parramatta, his participation was hindered due to an NRL suspension.
Gould referred to Addo-Carr as “the fastest man on the planet,” acknowledging the challenges posed by the player, whether he’s on Gould’s side or against him. Addo-Carr previously spent three successful seasons at Canterbury and was regarded as a significant acquisition during Gould’s tenure.
In the upcoming match, the Bulldogs will face Parramatta without some key players, including Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau, who are sidelined with knee injuries sustained in their previous match against the Gold Coast. Despite these setbacks, Gould is optimistic about the team’s depth and believes they have strong reserves to manage the absence of injured players.
He stated, “We’re a lot better depth-wise than we were a few years ago,” highlighting the emergence of promising young talent within the squad. When asked about who might step into the No.6 position to replace Burton, Gould cheekily deferred to the coaching staff, noting the versatility of their utility players.
On a positive note for the Bulldogs, they have secured experienced utility player Kurt Mann with a new contract that will keep him with the club until the end of 2026.
As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Addo-Carr’s performance as he steps onto the field in new colours, adding a layer of intrigue to this heated rivalry.