Josh Addo-Carr can see the silver lining in the Bulldogs’ injury crisis highlighted by young guns like Karl Oloapu stepping up and taking their opportunities.
The Bulldogs have a plethora of stars in their casualty ward including Addo-Carr, but the representative winger believes it can help fast-track the club’s next wave of talent coming through.
“It is not fun, but it is just something that we have got to deal with at the moment,” Addo-Carr told foxsports.com.au.
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“It does happen within the game. But we have got a lot of young boys coming through that get that experience and are excited to be a part of the team.
“I think that is going to benefit us in the long run in terms of experience. I think it is going to show everyone what type of team we want to be.
“We want to be a tough team that wins tough, so I think for the next few weeks until everyone is 100 per cent I think that is what we have to focus on. Playing tough and winning any way we can.”
Oloapu made his NRL debut off the bench in the win over the Dragons in Round 9 and will again line up against the Raiders to kick off Magic Round.
Addo-Carr has been impressed by Oloapu’s natural ability combined with his willingness to learn.
“I think he is just a footy player,” Addo-Carr said.
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“He sees things that most players don’t and most halves don’t.
“He is a wonderful kid to be around. I remember when he first came to the club he was a bit shy, but once he came out of his shell you saw the real Karl.
“We are so blessed to have him on our side. He is a wonderful talent and he is always willing to learn and listen to everyone at the club.
“It is exciting times for him and his family and the NRL to have a talent like him.”
Addo-Carr is confident he can return in time for Origin if selected by the Blues, but is more focused on helping his club team in any way he can off the field before he gets back on it.
“The recovering from my injury is going really good,” Addo-Carr said.
“I have been doing everything possible to get back quickly and back to 100 per cent.
“I’ve been trying to see the positives in sitting on the sidelines. Helping my teammates and the coaches in any way I can.
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“Yeah bra it is always a goal to get back for Origin and put that Blues jersey on. I definitely miss it.
“I’ll be ready for Origin if I get picked.”
Addo-Carr has built a brilliant combination with Bulldogs five-eighth turned halfback Matt Burton and has been impressed by his transition to the No.7 role.
“He has been going really well at halfback,” Addo-Carr said.
“It was a mad win last week and I thought he took control of the game really well.
“There was a couple of periods there where the team needed to be better, but I think when he had his moments he took them.
“That’s what we need him to do is own the big moments and take control of the game and I think he is working hard towards that.
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“That’s what we need from Burto. Everyone knows he can play footy, but it is about controlling and being able to win games and he is definitely getting better at that.
“For me when I come back I just want to play exciting footy and tough footy and have fun bra. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Bulldogs currently sit 13th on the ladder, but a bullish Addo-Carr still has his eyes on finals footy and a premiership for his team.
“1000 per cent bra, a premiership is still a goal,” Addo-Carr said when asked if finals was a possibility.
“These things (injuries) happen in teams and everyone is doing everything in their power to get back and help the team and help these young fellas come through.
“Everyone has handled it really well. Everyone is excited about coming up here for Magic Round.
“A lot of the boys haven’t played in Magic Round and seen how exciting the occasion is, so it is a massive occasion for these young boys as well in front of a packed stadium.
“It will be a great experience for all of them.”
A premiership might seem a bit far-fetched for this team at this stage, but it is exactly that type of belief that Addo-Carr, who has tasted success at Melbourne, brings to the Bulldogs.
“The biggest thing is belief and trusting the process,” Addo-Carr said.
“Trust what Ciro (Ciraldo) and the coaching staff and everyone is doing behind the scenes to prepare us for games.
“The tough pre-season that we had prepared us well and we need to trust in that process and prepare every day the very best you can. I think that is the biggest lesson for everyone at the Dogs at the moment.”
Also bringing premiership pedigree to the Bulldogs is former Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo and Addo-Carr revealed his pre-seasons are even tougher than Craig Bellamy’s at the Storm.
“I think Cam (Ciraldo) is bringing belief back to the team,” Addo-Carr said.
“He understands the game really well and for me that was probably the hardest pre-season I have ever done.
“I probably made over 20,000 tackles and I have only made 10 this year.
“But he has definitely brought the belief back into the boys and he has brought a new system in as well, so he is just preparing us every day to get that defensive system right and show evidence that we are a good footy team and we can be a good footy team when we are on.
“I’m doing everything I possibly can to help send that message and show the boys and especially the younger boys that we are a good team.
“We just need to prepare well and stick to the game plan on the weekend.”
