Bulldogs cop horror turnaround as Josh Addo-Carr looks to add to epic record

Josh Addo-Carr’s chances of impressing Blues coach Brad Fittler have received a timely boost, with the flying winger set to feast on a Rabbitohs side that he has dominated since joining the league.

The Bulldogs speedster has scored 14 tries from 12 games against South Sydney, his best against any opponent, including six in one game back in 2021 when he achieved something nobody had done since 1950.

While he’s still short of Billy Slater’s record 25 tries against the Broncos or Israel Folau’s absurd strike rate of 12 tries in six games against the Titans, the “Foxx” has dominated the Bunnies and will be relying on another strong showing as he tries to fight back into the Blues side.

Slater’s haul of 25 is the most by any player against an opponent in the NRL era, ahead of Mark Gasnier’s 21 in 17 matches against the Tigers, but Addo-Carr is only 27 and could easily move clear given the Bulldogs play the Rabbitohs twice every year.

Addo-Carr was sensationally overlooked last year as the Blues suffered a shock series defeat to Queensland, but he responded in the best way possible, scoring 12 tries in five games to help the Kangaroos win the World Cup.

An Origin recall is on the cards given his hot start to the year for the Bulldogs, but Addo-Carr is more worried about ending South Sydney’s stranglehold on the Good Friday clash in front of what should be a bumper crowd.

“It’s always a privilege to put the Blues jersey on. I just can’t get too far ahead of myself,” he said.

“It didn’t work out last year, so I’m just trying to prepare the very best I can for the Bulldogs and keep enjoying my football with my teammates here at the Dogs.

“If it comes up, then I’ll take it with both hands like I’ve always done. It’s something I can’t control at the moment, so I’ll just keep playing good footy.”

Addo-Carr will go up against great mate Latrell Mitchell, but it’s unclear just how many of his Bulldogs buddies will line up as the club tries to work its way through a crisis in the forwards.

Luke Thompson, Franklin Pele, Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pangai Junior are just some of the big men missing at the moment, while Max King (eye) and Jacob Preston (finger) are both in doubt after suffering injuries in the same tackle last week.

The pair’s availability will come down to how they perform at Thursday’s session, with the Bulldogs only getting through light duties this week having battled through golden point on Sunday night.

“The game is getting faster and more intense and the collisions are getting bigger,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said.

“It is a short turnaround, but we knew about that in the pre-season. We’ve trained to prepare for this, so there are no excuses.

“Is it ideal? Probably not, but our guys are ready for it.”