Cameron Ciraldo rules out Josh Addo-Carr ahead of clash with Sharks

Martin Gabor Published March 14, 2024 at 11.30am (AWST)

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Josh Addo-Carr won’t face the Sharks after threatening to pull off a miracle recovery from a shoulder injury. (Image: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has confirmed Josh Addo-Carr will not face the Sharks on Friday night due to a shoulder injury, while he also shot down suggestions Matt Burton should be moved to centre to have more of an impact in attack.

Addo-Carr has been dubbed the fastest man on the planet and he threatened to evolve into the world's quickest healer after he was named on an extended bench just days after the club said he would miss up to a month with an AC joint injury.

The speedy winger trained well on Tuesday but wasn't able to recover in time, with Connor Tracey to make his Bulldogs debut against his former club.

Josh Addo-Carr came off at half-time against Parramatta and did not return. Picture: NRL Imagery — *Josh Addo-Carr came off at half-time against Parramatta and did not return. (Image: NRL Imagery)*

"He's done everything possible (but he won't play). He's worked 24/7 with the physios to get himself ready, but he's come up a bit short. He'll be right next week," Ciraldo said.

"It is a bit random because we thought it was the AC and the clavicle, but there's a bit more going on there. He's done really well to put himself in a position to play, but at the moment it's not worth the risk.

"He did really well at the start of the week. On Monday there was no chance he was playing, but then on Tuesday morning he was really good and adamant that he was going to be right.

"Yesterday and this morning he wasn't as good. It's only round two and we've got Connor Tracey there ready to go so it wasn't worth the risk."

Cameron Ciraldo has been impressed with Addo-Carr's efforts to play this week. picture: NRL Photos — *Cameron Ciraldo has been impressed with Addo-Carr's efforts to play this week. (Image: NRL Photos)*

Ciraldo praised Addo-Carr's commitment to return early, and said his relentless approach to training in the pre-season has him primed for his best year as a Bulldog.

"The work that he put in the pre-season helped him be a chance for this weekend," he said.

"He's four or five kilos heavier than last year and a hell of a lot fitter.

"He's done a really good job in the pre-season, and while it's unfortunate to get a bit of a mishap in round one, there's a long way to go in the season and he's going to play a big part in it.

"He's shown what a professional looks like and he's really laid the foundation for the younger guys in terms of getting back from injuries."

Martin Gabor - NCA NewsWire