Cameron Ciraldo Takes Full Responsibility for Bulldogs’ Decision Amid Addo-Carr’s Likely Departure with $700M Guarantee
In a significant development for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, head coach Cameron Ciraldo and his coaching staff have taken full responsibility for the club’s decision-making, as speculation grows over star winger Josh Addo-Carr’s future. The $550,000-a-season winger, whose contract expires at the end of the 2025 season, is rumored to be exploring options for an early exit from the team, possibly by the end of this week.
According to reports from News Corp, Addo-Carr, who has been embroiled in controversy after failing two roadside drug tests, has been granted formal permission to test the open market. The Bulldogs, who issued him a breach notice from the NRL, are unlikely to block his departure should he secure a long-term deal elsewhere.
The winger’s future has been uncertain for weeks, and despite being contracted for another 12 months, it is understood that the Bulldogs are unlikely to extend his contract beyond 2025. Addo-Carr’s agent, Mario Tartak, reportedly met with Bulldogs’ general manager Phil Gould last Friday to discuss the player’s future prospects.
Several clubs have expressed interest in the NSW and Australian representative winger. Among them, the St George Illawarra Dragons are said to have made a swap deal offer involving Mikaele Ravalawa for the 2024 season, which the Bulldogs promptly rejected. With Ravalawa falling out of favor at the Dragons and dropped to the NSW Cup earlier this year, the Bulldogs saw no benefit in adding another outside back to their roster, given their wealth of rising talent, including Blake Wilson, Jonathan Sua, Blake Taaffe, Joash Papalii, and Eli Clark.
As November 1 approaches—the date Addo-Carr becomes free to speak with rival teams—interest in the speedy winger is expected to intensify. While his next destination remains unclear, the Bulldogs are preparing for his possible departure, and many speculate that a major deal could see Addo-Carr land a lucrative contract with another NRL team, which could amount to as much as $700 million over several years.
For now, all eyes remain on the Bulldogs as they navigate through a challenging phase, with Ciraldo and his coaching team taking ownership of the club’s decisions, both on and off the field. Addo-Carr’s future will likely be one of the hottest topics in the coming weeks as he explores new opportunities ahead of the 2025 season.
