Bronson Xerri’s future at Canterbury Bulldogs clouded after meeting with Phil Gould
“I don’t want to give the child a soft option [by asking for a release]. He needs to be at his best and focus on his game, his training and his performance.
“Trying to find a way out is not the right option. Like now, he’s just going to keep playing and try to find his way back to his freshman year.”
Bronson Xerri plays for Canterbury in Las Vegas.Credit: NRL Footage
Christodoulou said no long-term contract negotiations had been held on Xerri’s behalf or by the Bulldogs.
Whether Canterbury can fit Xerri within the salary cap beyond 2027 has been suggested as a reason for his discontent. Gould declined to comment on the suggestion when contacted Sunday.
Xerri trained at Canterbury’s on-field session after meeting Gould on Sunday morning and was part of team training during the bye week after the Bulldogs season opener in Las Vegas.
This season he has switched possessions with captain Stephen Crichton but has made it clear that his preference is to play as a left centre-back.
Enari Tuala is also expected to take part in Canterbury’s centers.Credit: Getty Images
Crichton said he spoke to Xerri as soon as he arrived at training on Sunday and was confident the drama surrounding his team-mate would not distract from a promising 2026 season.
“HE [been] Crichton said on Sunday that he was in training today and still looked the same.
“I know the people upstairs, Gus and Ciro. [coach Cameron Ciraldo] We will resolve this and put the club first.
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“It surprised me. I didn’t know that. But there are people working in that area who 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 some of the boys off guard, too.”
Christodoulou also revealed that she was acting as Xerri’s agent on behalf of her management company Athletes Future, rather than her longtime agent Matt Desira.
Desira is serving an NRL suspension which prevents him from representing clients for failing to disclose the drug charge to the governing body.
Gould raised eyebrows on Saturday night when he denied in a social media post that Xerri had asked for release, saying he had “just spoken to Bronson and his manager.”
“I’m representing Bronson now, obviously Matt is suspended, which is very well known now,” Christodoulou said.
“We’re business partners, so I’m taking over his clients while he’s suspended.”
