The Foxx’s Fuel: Josh Addo-Carr’s Enduring Drive and Record-Breaking Ambitions
The scent of expensive diesel hangs in the air as Josh Addo-Carr, affectionately known as “The Foxx,” fills up his imposing black car. It’s a familiar scene, yet one that highlights the stark contrast between the everyday realities of rising costs and the electrifying performances on the rugby league field. Just hours earlier, on a Sunday evening, Addo-Carr had been instrumental in the Parramatta Eels’ hard-fought 30-20 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. His signature speed was on full display, culminating in a breathtaking 70-metre solo try that left the Dragons’ defence in his wake. Close by, his father and younger sister watched on, proud witnesses to his electrifying contribution in his second appearance for the Eels this season.
A mere three days later, Addo-Carr finds himself at a sponsor’s event in Sydney, showcasing his latest automotive passion: a custom-designed JAC ute. The conversation inevitably turns to the escalating price of fuel. “That petrol cost me $210, brah,” he remarks, a wry smile playing on his lips. “It’s pretty wild at the moment. I drove past a servo where I grew up and I remember petrol being 99 cents back in the day.”
When prompted to use this as a metaphor for his current form, asking how full his “tank” is, Addo-Carr initially takes the analogy literally. “I think just under a full tank,” he chuckles, before realising the intended football context. A burst of laughter follows. “Sorry, brah. I reckon I’ve got four or five years left in me,” he states with conviction. “My body’s feeling amazing at the moment. I’m doing everything I can to play consistent football. There’s no limit.”
Chasing Tries and Legacy
This unwavering determination is fueling Addo-Carr’s ascent up the all-time try-scoring lists. Come Saturday’s highly anticipated “Battle of the West” against Penrith at CommBank Stadium, he will stand among the top 10 try-scorers in Australian rugby league history. His recent exploits have seen him surpass the career tallies of esteemed players like Matt Sing and Hazem El Masri.
Across his decade in the top flight, “The Foxx” has amassed an impressive 160 tries in 203 appearances. His most prolific seasons were his first and last at the Melbourne Storm, in 2017 and 2021 respectively, when he crossed the stripe an incredible 23 times in each. His ambition doesn’t stop there. He meticulously records his goals in his phone’s notes app, and after achieving a length-of-the-field try in his 200th NRL game last season, his sights are now firmly set on a new milestone: 200 career tries.
While acknowledging it’s an outside chance, Addo-Carr hasn’t ruled out a crack at Alex Johnston’s current record. “I love scoring tries and I’m not gonna hide from that. That’s what I get paid to do,” he explains. “If it [breaking Johnston’s record] comes around, I’ll be happy as, and I know my family will be happy. It’d put a smile on their face.”
He continues, his voice filled with a sense of purpose, “There’s still plenty of years left in me and hopefully, I can get 200 plus. It blows me away to be alongside some of the greatest players to ever play the game [on that list].”
Currently, Addo-Carr trails Johnston by 54 tries, with a mere 195 days separating their ages. Achieving this feat would likely require at least five more stellar seasons, coupled with a dip in form from Johnston at South Sydney, or perhaps a move to the ambitious Papua New Guinea competition from 2028. However, his blistering pace remains a significant asset, as evidenced by GPS data from his recent match, which showed him reaching approximately 90 per cent of his top speed during that memorable runaway try.
From Humble Beginnings to NRL Stardom
These moments of on-field brilliance underscore Addo-Carr’s profound sense of gratitude for his career in rugby league. His journey has been anything but straightforward, marked by a challenging upbringing in Doonside, a suburb nestled between Penrith and Parramatta. His early years were spent at the Doonside Roos, followed by stints at Earlwood Saints. His path to elite education led him to Matraville Sports High School, a place that accepted him when other avenues were closed.
His league career saw him progress through junior representative sides for the Rabbitohs, Brisbane, and Cronulla, before making his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in 2016. He then forged a successful career with the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, before Jason Ryles offered him a significant opportunity at the Parramatta Eels.
“It’s pretty crazy,” he reflects. “Who would have thought? A young Aboriginal fella who grew up in housing commission who didn’t have the best childhood and had a single mum. I probably was never meant to make first grade, but just dug deep – there was lots of sacrifice and dedication.”
The importance of family is a recurring theme for Addo-Carr. “It’s always special to have family down there and come watch you. Dad’s getting older and it’s about trying to make as many memories as possible. He didn’t come to too many games when I first started, but now he’s coming to start and enjoy life a bit.”
Inspiring a New Generation
Beyond his personal achievements, Addo-Carr understands the profound impact he and other Indigenous players have as role models. “If we’re inspiring one Aboriginal kid out there or one TI [Torres Strait Islander] kid, then we’re doing our job,” he asserts. “Reach for the stars because that’s what we’ve done.”
The Eels are currently undefeated with Addo-Carr in the lineup this season, securing two wins from two matches. Their season opener against Melbourne saw them suffer a heavy 52-4 defeat, a game Addo-Carr missed due to a broken thumb. Parramatta will undoubtedly be looking to their star winger and the rest of their potent backline for a match-winning performance against the formidable Panthers. The premiership favourites demonstrated their dominance last week with a resounding 40-4 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
“They’ve definitely been one of the benchmarks of the past seven or eight years,” Addo-Carr acknowledges, referring to Penrith. “The battle of the west is always healthy competition. I absolutely love going head to head with those boys. They’re a team that don’t give you much. You’ve got to take the opportunities when they come.”
