Sad news: Bulldogs announce departure of six players….

In a double whammy, the NRL are set to punish Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr for his role in a brawl in last year’s Koori Knockout in addition to his positive roadside test to cocaine.

Regarding the failed drug test, Addo-Carr has been issued a breach notice by the NRL and is reportedly set to be handed a “three to four week suspension” as well as a massive $12,000 fine.

Sources have told the SMH that on top of the $12,000 penalty, the NRL has proposed to add $3000 in fines due to the winger’s part in a controversial brawl at the Koori Knockout rugby league tournament last offseason.

As the fine was initially suspended, Addo-Carr wasn’t required to pay it if he stayed out of trouble, however his latest indiscretion means the NRL is now facing a total of $15,000 worth of fines.

The Bulldogs star will set to miss three games to start next season after he stood himself down for his team’s finals loss to Manly.

Addo-Carr tested positive for cocaine in a road side drug test earlier this month and the former Blues winger ruled himself out of the Bulldogs’ 24-22 finals loss to the Sea Eagles before accepting a $682 fine and a three-month suspension from driving.

“The National Rugby League today issued Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Josh Addo-Carr with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct,” the NRL said in a statement on Tuesday night.

“Addo-Carr was issued with a Penalty Notice by NSW Police earlier this month for the offence of ‘Presence of prescribed illicit drug in person’s oral fluid, blood or urine’ while driving a motor vehicle.

“The Breach Notice alleges that Addo-Carr has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his Club into disrepute. Addo-Carr has 5 business days to respond to the Breach Notice.”

Addo-Carr is reportedly facing a four-game ban.

“I think we will get a decision tomorrow on Josh Addo-Carr, I think he’s looking at probably a three or four week suspension from the NRL,” Brent Read said on NRL 360 on Monday night.

“So we might get some form of resolution as far as the NRL is concerned.”

Despite widespread reports he was preparing for the exit, Addo-Carr will reportedly be spared the axe by Canterbury-Bankstown powerbrokers.

Instead, they are hoping a rival club will make a bid to secure his services and potentially save them precious space on their salary cap, chipping in for his next deal.

Should the Bulldogs terminate his contract, the full amount of his salary comes off their salary cap instead of a cut-price portion should he sign elsewhere.

“I’m told Canterbury don’t want to sack him, even if the finding comes back as we expect it will,” The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said.

“The reason being if they sack him, he can go and get another job straight away. If they hang on to him and St George for example, who need a replacement for Zac Lomax.

“St George will have to contribute to his money and Canterbury will get something out of it. His manager Mario Tartak insists Canterbury won’t sack him.

“There’s a chance of getting an earn, maybe $100,000 or $200,000 out of him.”

Rothfield likened the looming contract negotiations to a “game of chess” with the Bulldogs hopeful they will have a suitable club come to the table.

“There’s a couple of clubs now who has been waiting for Canterbury to sack him,” Rothfield said, with the Dragons, Eels and Rabbitohs previously floated as potential destinations.