Melbourne speedster Josh Addo-Carr says the NRL's Indigenous round holds special significance this year after the passing of his grandfather, who introduced him to rugby league.
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Addo-Carr's legendary grandfather Wally Carr, the Wellington product and champion Aboriginal boxer in the 1970s, died of cancer last month.
Known as 'Pop', Carr was the 23-year-old's biggest fan and used to give a Addo- Carr money for each try he scored as a youngster.
The winger, who paid tribute to his grandfather in a try celebration earlier this season, says he will be thinking of him as the Storm take on the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at Belmore Oval.
"It has been a tough time for me and my family, but I know Pop will be looking down on us and hopefully he is proud of me performing the best I can on the field," Addo-Carr said on Wednesday.
"He absolutely loves this club and what we are about - I think about him every day."
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Originally from Sydney but also well-know in Wellington currently, Addo-Carr has hit his teammates up for tickets to ensure plenty of Storm support from his family and friends at the match.
"It is a round I look forward to playing in each year and I know the boys like playing in it," he said.
"It is a great thing to be a part of and to represent my family.
"It's in Sydney and I am from Redfern so I have asked for about 22 tickets and it will be a blackout."
The last time the Storm and Bulldogs met in round four Melbourne escaped with an 18-16 win, although Addo-Carr missed the game due to grandfather's ill health.
Rangy rookie centre Jayden Okunbor terrorised the Storm during that game, running over skipper Cameron Smith twice, although he will miss Saturday's match with a toe injury.
Addo-Carr is one of the few certainties to be named in the NSW Origin line-up with the squad announced Sunday night.
He didn't have any special insight into selection but backed incumbent halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, who have been below par, to rise for the Origin series.
"I have no doubt if they do pick the same halves that they will do the job," Addo-Carr said.
"Its going to be a tough selection but whoever fills that spot will definitely do the job for NSW."
