Follow the Foxx: Addo-Carr puts hand up to lead Bulldogs

Josh Addo-Carr has revealed he would be happy to take the reins as Canterbury’s new skipper after veteran Josh Jackson announced his retirement last week.

Addo-Carr, who was informed of the long-time skipper’s retirement while fulfilling World Cup duties in England, said he was ‘shocked’ to learn the 241-game Bulldog was hanging up the boots.

Despite only playing with Jackson since joining the Bulldogs in 2022, the 27-year-old try-scorer said he has been a long-time supporter of the respected Jackson, describing him as the “heart and soul of the Bulldogs”.

“Jacko’s been such a fantastic player and leader for the Bulldogs. I was absolutely shocked and he’s going to be dearly missed,” Addo Carr told the media in England.

“I remember when I was a young fella, he was one of the main Bulldogs players that I loved watching back in the day.

“He’s definitely one of the hardest-working and professional footy players I’ve ever seen. A quiet country fella but when he steps on the field, he puts his best foot forward and leads a team very well."

New coach Cameron Ciraldo has some time to make a call on a new skipper but Addo-Carr said he'd happily take on the role if his teammates believe he's the man for the job.

“If everyone wants me to do it at the Bulldogs and if the boys trust me, I’ll definitely put my hand up, but it’s got to be earned,’ Addo-Carr said.

“I just see the fun side of things more than others I suppose but like I said, when it’s game time on the weekend I try and put my best foot forward and do my job the very best I can… I’ve always been like that.

“Trying to scream at the ref from the wing... I don’t think he’d be able to hear me.”

Other candidates for the role include Addo-Carr’s Kangaroos teammate Matt Burton and English prop Luke Thompson.

Addo-Carr had a taste of the role last year, standing alongside Thompson as co-captains when Jackson was sidelined with injury in Round 8 as the Bulldogs produced a shock upset over the Roosters.

“I had an awesome time. We played the Roosters and we ended up beating them,” he said. “I just enjoyed running the boys out, having fun and working hard.

“I’ll put my hand up to do it but we’ve got Matty Burton coming through also.”

For Addo-Carr, Australia's quarter-final clash against Lebanon will also double as a showdown against Canterbury teammate Jacob Kiraz, who scored six tries in 15 games for the Dogs in 2022.

“He is a fantastic player and a fantastic kid as well. I remember when he came to the Bulldogs, he’d just left Newcastle and came at the start of pre-season when I got there,” Addo-Carr said.

“There was just something about him when he walked in the door, I just knew he was going to be a superstar.

“He had a fantastic season this year in first grade and did some amazing things for us. He’s got a very bright future in the NRL.

“He plays with confidence, he prepares really well and trains hard. I knew he was going to be a special player for the Bulldogs and I was right.”