Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo urges Bronson Xerri to ‘do a Toby Sexton’ to return to the NRL
Ciraldo said Xerri, who was injured in pre-season, should look no further than Sexton for inspiration. Sexton lost his No.7 jersey for the Bulldogs last year to sign Lachlan Galvin, worked in reserve-grade areas of the game without complaint and was recalled at the end of the season.
Although Sexton was not given a long-term place at the club, the way he handled himself endeared him to Canterbury fans and earned him subsequent signings with the Catalans Dragons and Perth Bears when they enter the NRL in 2027.
Former Bulldogs quarterback Toby Sexton.Credit: Getty Images
“This is a great example,” Ciraldo said.
“I don’t want to dwell too much on last year, but he was a great example of dealing with disappointment and getting on with the job…
“Sometimes you can’t control your first reaction, but you can control your second reaction.
“So his reaction now is to go back to the reserve grade and be the best player possible and try to get back into the NRL team. Bronson Xerri will try his best to get back into our team somewhere, but the ball is squarely in his court.”
Xerri is contracted until the end of 2027 and although he has not yet requested release, there is speculation he could do so unless his stint in the NSW Cup is short-lived.
Asked if Xerri had been told he wouldn’t be eligible for a contract extension after 2027, Ciraldo said: “I haven’t been part of every conversation about contracts, managers and things like that. I don’t believe that’s true, but I’m not entirely sure to be honest.”
Canterbury players were wearing ‘We Before Me’ t-shirts as they boarded the bus from their accommodation in Belmore for the journey to the nation’s capital. Ciraldo said it was a timely reminder of what is expected of all players on the Bulldogs.
“We love Bronson, he’s been an important part of our group for the last few years,” Ciraldo said.
Loading
“I feel like I have a good relationship with him, we come from the same area and we’ve spent a lot of time together over the last two and a half years.
“We didn’t like his reaction at the beginning but we are here to support him. This is coaching, we must challenge him and support him until the day he leaves his club.”
“Whether it is 10 days, 10 weeks or 10 years, we will be here to challenge him, support him and make him the best football player and the best person he can be.”
