Bulldogs gun makes contract call after successful return

Bronson Xerri has continued his redemption story, signing a two-year contract extension with the Canterbury Bulldogs. The 24-year-old was banned for four years for doping as a teenager, threatening to derail his NRL career before it even got off the ground. Canterbury opted to take a punt on the strike centre once his suspension was lifted and it paid off for both parties as the club returned to the finals. Xerri finished his first season at Belmore with 10 tries and 39 tackle breaks, cementing himself as a first-choice centre for coach Cameron Ciraldo. In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Phil Gould said the "maturity and commitment" shown by Xerri had impressed the club. "Bronson has quickly solidified himself as a key member of our squad moving forward," the general manager of football said. "Ever since he stepped foot into our club's doors, he has shown great maturity and commitment to the Bulldog jersey. "At 24 he still has plenty of rugby league ahead of him, and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him in our colours." Xerri's new deal will see him remain in blue and white until the end of 2027. "Bronson has quickly solidified himself as a key member of our squad moving forward," the general manager of football said. "Ever since he stepped foot into our club's doors, he has shown great maturity and commitment to the Bulldog jersey. "At 24 he still has plenty of rugby league ahead of him, and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him in our colours." Xerri's new deal will see him remain in blue and white until the end of 2027.

Dogs desperate for 'wanted man' to be taken off market

The Bulldogs are battling the clock to re-sign tryscoring ace Bronson Xerri before November 1. Xerri, who returned from a four-year drugs ban in spectacular style for Canterbury this season, is under contract to the club until the end of 2025. But under NRL rules, if the Dogs don't extend him before the first of November, rival clubs can swoop and sign him for 2026 and beyond. With classy centres boasting genuine pace in short supply in the NRL, Xerri would be sure to attract interest around the league. "Bronson was great for us this year after so long out of the game and should be even better in 2025," Dogs general manager of football Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports. "We are aware of the situation with his contract and are moving on it. "He and his manager are in Dubai watching a fight and are back late this week and we will talk then." The 24-year-old centre burst onto the NRL scene with Cronulla in 2019, scoring 13 tries in 22 games in an impressive rookie season. But then came the downfall, when he tested positive to steroids, which he allegedly took to enable him to recover from a nagging injury. Xerri spent four years on the sidelines, with the Bulldogs taking somewhat of a gamble by bringing him back into the big league this season. But it worked a treat - after starting the season in NSW Cup, Xerri quickly worked his way into the Dogs' top side. He scored an impressive 10 tries in 19 games, showing pace, power and a graceful running style - and is now a wanted man by rival NRL clubs.

Ciraldo and Goulds Gamble Pay Off

When Bronson Xerri returned from a four year drug ban, Bulldogs officials pleaded for fans to be patient with the pacy centre. And after taking half a season to find his feet, Xerri has become one of the most dangerous strike players in the NRL. The former Shark has now scored tries in three straight games and was outstanding against the hot-shot Broncos backline in Saturday afternoon's stunning win. The speedster galloped over for the opening try, made three other breaks and had a hand in several other tries as the Bulldogs totally dismantled the Broncos. The Broncos couldn't handle Xerri's pace and power and he shapes as a real danger man in the finals.

Signing Of The Year Contender

The Bulldogs took a gamble signing Bronson Xerri after his long four-year drugs ban - but it looks like coming up trumps. In only his third game back in the big league, Xerri scored his first try since the 2019 finals and looked very sharp as the Bulldogs dismantled the Knights. Coach Cameron Ciraldo kept Xerri out of the top grade in the opening three weeks of the season to allow him to work on his timing and defence. But the speedy centre is ready now. Big and strong with plenty of pace, Xerri may well prove the buy of the year as he regains his match fitness and confidence.

'Sharper and faster': Positive signs as Doggies chase 'mojo'

The Bulldogs will have the biggest transformation of any team in the NRL in 2024 with up to seven new faces in the 17-man side for round one. After finishing 15th, 12th, last and 15th in the past four seasons, football boss Phil Gould has swept a broom through the club, getting rid of plenty of dead wood. His recruitment has concentrated on quantity rather than elite quality, with one exception – former Panthers match-winner Stephen Crichton. Crichton will add much needed strike power out wide in the centres, as will former Shark Bronson Xerri, if he can regain his mojo after his lengthy drugs ban. Xerri looked sharp on debut in the win over the Storm on Thursday night in an encouraging sign. Former Titans playmaker Toby Sexton did enough last year to start in the key No.7 role, but will be kept honest by Roosters recruit Drew Hutchison, a steady campaigner capable of steering the team around the park. Blake Taaffe from the Rabbitohs has the speed and class to make a go of the fullback spot in a backline brimming with pace. I like former Sharks utility Connor Tracey – he has the skills to also make a fine fullback but he is versatile and brings impact, making him an ideal No.14 off the bench. Ex-Warrior Josh Curran is a great pick-up in the forwards, as is the versatile Kurt Mann from Newcastle. Another newcomer, Jaeman Salmon from the Panthers, also brings something to the table as an interchange player. In summary, a sharper and faster team than in 2023 and as a result, should win more games.

Bronson Xerri officially suspended for four years

Cronulla Sharks centre Bronson Xerri has officially been given a four-year suspension by the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal. Xerri will be unable to play in the NRL until at least his suspension expires on November 25, 2023, after he tested positive for the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol. The 20-year-old hasn't played in the NRL since the 2019 season following his positive test. "The Tribunal found that Mr Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned," the NRL said in a statement. Xerri during the 2019 NRL season famously emerged as one of the game's best up and coming outside backs after notching 13 tries from 22 appearances for the Sharks that year. 

Xerri reveals 'hardest' part of NRL doping ban

Stood-down Sharks star Bronson Xerri has broken his silence as he continues his fight against a four-year doping ban that has threatened to ruin his NRL career, sitting down with Nine News reporter Danny Weidler to speak about what has been a nightmare 10-months for the former teen prodigy. Xerri admitted his mental health has suffered and hit back at speculation implicating his family in his positive test, saying innuendo that involved those closest to him was "the hardest part". The gun centre was suspended in May last year after testing positive to anabolic steroids, with a B-sample confirming the positive result in September. He has appealed the provisional four-year ban at the NRL Appeals Tribunal but is yet to learn if it will be decreased or overturned. While Xerri has all but faded from the NRL conversation in recent months he admitted to Nine News that it had been a lonely period for him. Asked by Weidler if anyone from the NRL had reached out, Xerri replied: "No they haven't. That's alright but, it is what it is. I've accepted what's happened." With the world at his feet, news of Xerri's test result sent the rumour mill into overdrive, and while the speedster, now 20, refused to get into specifics, he launched a spirited defence of his family. "This is all on myself and it's a mistake I did, not my family," he told Nine News.