Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Bronson Xerri’s agent has urged the unsettled Bulldogs star to stay at Canterbury and fight his way back into first grade after being dropped to NSW Cup ahead of this week’s clash against Canberra.
Xerri met with Bulldogs boss Phil Gould on Sunday morning and returned to training at Belmore following reports the previous day that he is unhappy at the club and seeking an immediate release.
Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.Credit: Getty Images
Xerri’s acting manager George Christodoulou told this masthead that Sunday’s breakfast meeting with Gould was sought to clear the air over the 25-year-old’s future, with both Gould and Christodoulou urging Xerri to play his way back into the NRL.
Xerri was told on Saturday that he would be dropped, with Enari Tuala to come in at right centre in Thursday’s clash against the Raiders.
Christodoulou said no release request has been sought by Xerri, nor has there been any request for permission to test the market early, given Xerri is signed at Belmore until the end of 2027.
He did not rule out that action being taken should Xerri be unable to crack first-grade again, but said the strike centre’s immediate future remains at the Bulldogs.
“I think it’s in Bronson’s best interest; he needs to react positively,” Christodoulou said, confirming that Cameron Ciraldo’s selection call had created what he described as “a storm in a teacup”.
“To be an elite NRL player, you can’t kick stones.
“I don’t want to offer a soft option out for the kid [by asking for a release]. He needs to put his best foot forward and focus on his game, his training, and his performances.
“It’s not the right option to be trying to find an exit. As it is now, he’ll just be playing on and trying to find his way back into first grade.”
Bronson Xerri playing for Canterbury in Las Vegas.Credit: NRL Imagery
Christodoulou said no long-term contract discussions had been broached on behalf of Xerri or raised by the Bulldogs.
Whether Canterbury can fit Xerri into their salary cap beyond 2027 has been speculated as a cause for his discontent. Gould declined to comment on that suggestion when contacted on Sunday.
Xerri trained in Canterbury’s field session on Sunday morning after meeting with Gould and has been part of team sessions throughout the bye week after the Bulldogs season-opener in Las Vegas.
He has swapped edges with captain Stephen Crichton this season, but has made clear that his preference is to play as a left centre.
Enari Tuala is expected to be named in the centres for Canterbury.Credit: Getty Images
Crichton said he checked in with Xerri as soon as he arrived at training on Sunday and is confident the drama around his teammate won’t be a distraction from what looms as a promising 2026 campaign.
“He’s [been] in at training today and still seems the same,” Crichton said on Sunday.
“I know the people upstairs, Gus and Ciro [coach Cameron Ciraldo] will sort that out and put the club first.
“It caught me by surprise. I didn’t know about it. But there’s people that work in that space that can do the right thing by the club and do the right thing by Bronson. We love Bronson here, and he’s got a good relationship with all the boys. It caught a few of the boys off-guard too.”
Christodoulou also clarified that he is acting as Xerri’s agent on behalf of the Athletes Future management company instead of his long-time representative Matt Desira.
Desira is serving an NRL suspension that prevents him from representing clients for not disclosing a drug charge to the governing body.
Gould had raised eyebrows in a social media post on Saturday night when he denied Xerri had sought a release by saying he had “just spoken with Bronson and his manager”.
“I’m representing Bronson at the moment, Matt’s obviously suspended, which is well known now,” Christodoulou said.
“We’re business partners, so I’m taking over his clients while he’s suspended.”
