LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In what can only be described as a classic case of 'out of sight, out of mind,' Josh Addo-Carr was notably absent from the Canterbury Bulldogs' awards night, much to the dismay of fans and teammates alike.
The star winger found himself in a bit of a pickle, as reports surfaced that he had returned a positive roadside test for a certain white powder that is frowned upon in the sporting world.
This bombshell has certainly thrown a spanner in the works for the Bulldogs, who are gearing up for a crucial NRL finals clash with the Manly Sea Eagles.
It's safe to say that the timing of this drama couldn't have been worse for the club, who are already facing enough challenges as they strive for glory in the rugby league arena.
Addo-Carr, along with his trusty manager, had a sit-down with Bulldogs bigwig Phil Gould to discuss the situation at hand.
The winger maintained his innocence, claiming he had no clue how the test came back positive and denying any wrongdoing.
Gould, being the wise old sage that he is, will huddle with coach Cameron Ciraldo and other top dogs at the club to determine Addo-Carr's fate in the upcoming battle against the Sea Eagles.
In true Aussie battler spirit, Gould acknowledged that Addo-Carr has had a rough trot lately, dealing with injuries, family matters, and other personal issues behind the scenes.
However, when it comes to game day, distractions are a luxury they can't afford.
The decision on whether Addo-Carr will don the jersey will ultimately rest in the hands of the club honchos, but rest assured, the NRL integrity unit has given the green light for now.
As they say in the world of rugby league, it's not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
Only time will tell if Addo-Carr can overcome this setback and emerge victorious in the face of adversity.