Bronson Xerri: Bulldogs Star Linked to Tigers Amid Contract Drama & Attitude Concerns

Bronson Xerri’s future with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs is in serious doubt, with the centre reportedly unhappy at Belmore and potentially on the move within the next month. The situation escalated after Xerri was dropped to the NSW Cup team following the Bulldogs’ Round 3 clash with the Canberra Raiders.

According to reports, the 25-year-old was informed he would not be offered an extension beyond his current contract, which runs through 2027, adding fuel to the fire. The decision to move Xerri from left centre to right centre also reportedly did not sit well with the player.

The Wests Tigers have emerged as a potential suitor, with a direct link through Benji Marshall’s agent, who also represents Xerri. The Tigers are currently dealing with injuries to centres Taylan May and Starford To’a and are looking to bolster their outside back options. Jeral Skelton is currently filling in at centre, while Heamasi Makasini is still developing.

“You guys mentioned some clubs earlier (Eels, Storm, Dragons, Sea Eagles) and the Tigers are also monitoring the situation,” Code Sports’ Dave Riccio revealed on NRL360. “Benji’s agent is Bronson Xerri’s agent so there’s a direct link there and I know certainly at the football club, there are people within the team and coaching staff that would love Bronson at the Tigers. I’m not saying a deal has been done but the Tigers are looking at it and the Bulldogs have picked up on the scent as well and are aware that the Tigers are monitoring the situation.”

While the Bulldogs have recently offloaded players like Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney, Riccio believes this situation is different. Sources within the club have indicated that the issue stems from Xerri’s attitude, rather than a salary cap maneuver.

“When this story broke, my first correspondence with the Bulldogs was, ‘Gus has done it again and moving one another one to create space’ and the response was ‘not this time’,” Riccio said. “My understanding is it an attitude issue with Bronson Xerri. He doesn’t want to play right centre, the Bulldogs coaches challenging Bronson to play on the right and he doesn’t want to. I reckon ultimately this one is on Bronson. It’s what he wants to do in his career…”

However, foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley questioned the Bulldogs’ handling of the situation, pointing to a pattern of moving players on after initially investing in them. He highlighted that Xerri was dropped after just one game this season, despite a solid performance in the Round 1 clash against the St. George Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas, where he made 24 tackles and ran for nearly 130 metres.

“Xerri may have an attitude problem that the Bulldogs may not like but the fact of the matter is they have said he played duress and injury last year, they gave him an extension and one game into the season after a win, he gets dropped,” Crawley said. “But on top of that, and this is what doesn’t sit well, is that days before, his managers had a meeting and they’ve told him he won’t be extended beyond 2027. Why does that conversation have to arrive up now? The issue is that they’ve told him nearly two full seasons out from his contract ending that he won’t be required.”

Former NRL player Braith Anasta echoed Riccio’s sentiment, suggesting that Xerri’s attitude may be the primary concern. He noted that the player brought in to replace Xerri, Enari Tuala, has been inconsistent.

“The odd thing that I look at is his performance in Round 1 and the player they’re bringing in … It has to be the attitude as if I’m picking on performance, I’m picking Bronson,” Anasta said.

Riccio predicts that Xerri will find a new club within the next month, potentially benefiting both the player and the Bulldogs. “I believe this will be the case and it’s speculation now, but I suppose he’ll land at a new club within a month because if it’s his attitude and he’s being dropped for a player that isn’t as good as him, I can’t observe him working back into the team no matter how good he plays in NSW Cup.”

Xerri, who previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks before a four-year suspension, is one of only two players in NRL history with a last name beginning with the letter “X,” alongside Anthony Xuereb. He debuted in 2019 and quickly made an impact, scoring 13 tries in 22 games that season, including a hat-trick against the St. George Illawarra Dragons.