The sole reason Addo-Carr was signed was because of their prior relationship.
The former Australian winger has agreed to a two-year contract with Parramatta after the Canterbury Bulldogs sacked him a few weeks ago for an off-field incident that occurred before the opening week of the 2024 NRL playoffs series.
However, the club presents the second year of that deal as an option in its favour, indicating that they are afraid to take a risk all the way to the bank.
Ryles stated at a press conference this week, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, that Addo-Carr will have a lot of work ahead of him.
“I’ve made it very clear to Josh that there are no assurances that he will be included in our team’s starting lineup,” Ryles told reporters.
“He still has a lot of work to do, but he will undoubtedly be included because he is fully fit.”
Addo-Carr, who is currently 29 years old, is one of the NRL’s most prolific try-scorers with 140 in 179 games. Between 2022 and 2024, he recorded 38 four-pointers in 52 games while playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs.
In addition, he has 13 tries in seven Test matches for Australia and 11 tries in 15 State of Origin matches for the New South Wales Blues.
He travels to Parramatta at a curious moment. There will be a new signing after Clint Gutherson leaves the fullback position to join the St George Illawarra Dragons. Although Isaiah Iongi starts at number one, there isn’t much consistency in the wings and centres.
Both Will Penisini, who is still one of the league’s standout centre players, and Zac Lomax, who was signed from the Dragons, will have a role somewhere.
However, when the blue and gold play one of the winger’s former clubs, the Melbourne Storm, Addo-Carr is one of the top candidates to secure a berth in Ryles’ Round 1 squad. The other two positions, which might be one wing and one centre, or two wing spots, seem to be up for grabs.
Haze Dunter, who has taken an option with the team, Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell, Joash Papalii, and Jordan Samrani—the final two on the list who signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs—are also vying for one of the two open positions.
Given his try-scoring record, Addo-Carr might be favoured for a starting position, but Ryles acknowledged that if it weren’t for a previous relationship he had while the new coach was in Melbourne, he might never have ended up at the Eels.
“A chance to talk to him presented itself,” Ryles remarked.
I doubt I would be discussing him right now if I hadn’t known him and had the relationship I have. However, I spent a lot of time with him and knew him very well because of that experience.
“I am aware of his potential for a football team. He paid a price for his mistake, but now we must focus on what we can do differently.
In 2025, the Eels begin their season against the Melbourne Storm on the road in the last match of the first round.
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