Canterbury Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri has confirmed his future for the next few seasons after he was free to speak with rival teams from November 1.
Returning to theย NRLย this year after a four-year ban, Xerri has been a constant regular in the starting team after beginning the season in theย NSW Cup.
Finishing with 19 matches, the centre scored ten tries, provided four try assists, averaged 145 running metres per game and made 39 tackle busts and ten line-breaks.
According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity,ย Zero Tackleย can reveal that Xerri has officially re-signed with the Bulldogs for two more seasons until the end of the 2027 NRL season.
โBronson has quickly solidified himself as a key member of our squad moving forward,โ Phil Gould said.
"Ever since he stepped foot into our Club's doors, he has shown great maturity and commitment to the Bulldog jersey.
โAt 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.โ
Earlier this year, Xerri revealed that he has grown so much as a person during his time away from rugby league and wants to help individuals who have gone through adversity in the past.
One of the best young outside backs in the competition back in 2019, his career came to a standstill later that year when it was found that he tested positive for a banned substance and was exiled from theย NRL.
"I've grown so much as a person. I've got my close friends and family around me that helped me throughout those four years," Xerri said
"I want to be that person that can help someone that's gone through adversity or that has mental health issues. I definitely want to be that person."
Only 24, the centre revealed how important his family and close friends were during the dark days he endured after being hit with a drug ban by the NRL, especially his mother, who became his "rock".
"There were some very dark days, so I needed them," he continued.
"My mum was my rock the whole four years so to hear her say a speech after the game was very emotional. She's the only one that's seen me through my actual dark days.
"She told the club how hard those four years was for me and the family and she's so proud of me and how resilient I am.
"I think any 18 or 19-year-old who went through what I went through probably wouldn't come back from that, so I'm proud of myself.
"I could have put my head down and not had that dream again, but here I am and I'm coming back for more."
“I think any 18 or 19-year-old who went through what I went through probably wouldn’t come back from that, so I’m proud of myself.”
I find what he says to be more than faintly distasteful.
No evidence of any remorse for what he did.
I wouldn’t expect remorse for making the NRL look bad.
I wouldn’t expect remorse for making his club look bad.
I would have expected remorse for what he has put his family through.
I would have expected remorse for what he has done to himself: losing four years of his career and knowing from now on he will be labelled as a drug-cheat, but he seems to lack even the self-awareness to realise that.