NRL Rocked By Koroitamana Arrest and Addo-Carr Cocaine Test

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The NRL has been rocked by two major off-field incidents in the space of 24 hours, with Cronulla Sharks youngster Ratu Viliame Koroitamana charged over an alleged criminal group offence and Parramatta Eels veteran Josh Addo-Carr facing another cocaine-related investigation.

The developments come during the opening weekend of the NRL finals, putting further scrutiny on the game's integrity processes.

Koroitamana charged over alleged criminal group involvement

Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg player Ratu Viliame Koroitamana has been charged with participating in a criminal group and driving while suspended following a police investigation involving the alleged use of a drone for criminal surveillance.

Police allege Koroitamana, 19, was driving a vehicle while 18-year-old Jimmy Schulz operated a drone during an incident at West Hoxton.

Schulz has separately been charged with murder over the death of Joshua MacDonald, who was shot at a property in Merrylands West on September 2.

Police allege the drone was being used as part of surveillance connected to a criminal group. Koroitamana, however, has not been accused of involvement in MacDonald's death.

The young Sharks player was arrested and subsequently appeared at Liverpool Local Court, where he was granted strict conditional bail. He is due to return to court on September 24.

Cronulla has stood Koroitamana down from playing while the legal process continues. He had been part of the club's Jersey Flegg side and was unavailable for Saturday's finals match against Canterbury.

The case has also emerged amid growing concern from NSW authorities about young people allegedly being recruited by organised criminal networks for surveillance and other activities.

Addo-Carr facing another cocaine investigation

Meanwhile, Parramatta Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr is facing an uncertain future after allegedly returning a positive result for cocaine during a roadside drug test in Sydney.

NSW Police said officers from the Inner West Police Area Command stopped a vehicle on Enmore Road, Newtown, at approximately 11.10pm on Friday for random testing.

The 31-year-old driver allegedly returned a negative roadside breath test before a preliminary drug wipe indicated the presence of cocaine.

An oral fluid sample was subsequently obtained and sent for further forensic analysis.

Police have stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid at this stage.

The Parramatta Eels confirmed they had been made aware of the alleged incident and had notified the NRL Integrity Unit.

"The club has notified the NRL Integrity Unit and is co-operating with the appropriate processes, as well as providing welfare support to Josh and his family," the Eels said.

The club added that it would not comment further until the matter had been finalised.

The development is particularly significant because it is the second cocaine-related incident involving Addo-Carr.

In 2024, while playing for Canterbury, Addo-Carr returned positive results from roadside and subsequent testing for cocaine. He denied knowingly taking the substance but was ultimately released by the Bulldogs later that year.

Parramatta subsequently gave the veteran winger an opportunity to rebuild his career, with Addo-Carr becoming an important member of the Eels' squad.

The latest allegation now places his future at the club under serious scrutiny, while his prospects of representing Australia at the upcoming World Cup could also be affected. The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating the matter alongside Parramatta.

With one player facing criminal charges and another facing a second drug-related investigation, the weekend has produced a significant off-field challenge for the NRL at a critical point of the season.