‘Can’t kick stones’: Xerri’s agent reveals next move after Gould meeting

Bronson Xerri’s agent has urged the unsettled Bulldogs star to stay at Canterbury and fight his way back into first grade after being dropped to NSW Cup ahead of this week’s clash against Canberra.

Xerri met with Bulldogs boss Phil Gould on Sunday morning and returned to training at Belmore following reports the previous day that he is unhappy at the club and seeking an immediate release.

Xerri’s acting manager, George Christodoulou, told this masthead that Sunday’s breakfast meeting with Gould was designed to clear the air about the 25-year-old’s future, with Gould and Christodoulou urging Xerri to play his way back into the NRL.

Xerri was told on Saturday that he would be dropped, with Enari Tuala to come in at right centre in Thursday’s clash against the Raiders.

Christodoulou said no release request had been sought by Xerri, nor has there been any request for permission to test the market early, given Xerri is signed at Belmore until the end of 2027.

He did not rule out that action being taken should Xerri be unable to crack first grade again, but said the strike centre’s immediate future remained at the Bulldogs.

“I think it’s in Bronson’s best interest; he needs to react positively,” Christodoulou said, confirming that Cameron Ciraldo’s selection call had created what he described as “a storm in a teacup”.

“To be an elite NRL player, you can’t kick stones.

“I don’t want to offer a soft option out for the kid [by asking for a release]. He needs to put his best foot forward and focus on his game, his training and his performances.

“It’s not the right option to be trying to find an exit. As it is now, he’ll just be playing on and trying to find his way back into first grade.”

Christodoulou said there had not been any long-term contract discussions.

There has been speculation that Canterbury might struggle to fit Xerri into their salary cap beyond 2027, and that may be a cause for his discontent. Gould declined to comment on that when contacted on Sunday.

Speaking on Channel Nine, Gould said Xerri had played through injury for much of 2025 and that his early season form had suffered as a result.

“He’s going good. Bronson had a year last year where he did a great service for the club,” Gould said. “He played with a lot of injuries all year. He put the club and the team before himself on a lot of occasions, which restricted his training and his off-season.

“Right at the moment, he’s struggling for a little bit of confidence, but we’re here to coach that. He’s in good spirits, he trained this morning and I’m looking forward to his game next weekend.”

Xerri has been part of team sessions throughout the bye week after the Bulldogs season opener in Las Vegas.

He has swapped sides with captain Stephen Crichton this season, but has made it clear that his preference is to play on the left.

Crichton said he checked in with Xerri as soon as he arrived at training on Sunday and is confident the drama around his teammate won’t be a distraction from what looms as a promising 2026 campaign.

“He’s [been] in at training today and still seems the same,” Crichton said on Sunday.

“I know the people upstairs, Gus and Ciro [coach Cameron Ciraldo] will sort that out and put the club first.

“It caught me by surprise. I didn’t know about it. But there’s people that work in that space that 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 a few of the boys off guard too.”

Christodoulou also clarified that he is acting as Xerri’s agent on behalf of the Athletes Future management company, instead of his long-time representative Matt Desira.

Desira is serving an NRL suspension that prevents him from representing clients for not disclosing a drug charge – for which no conviction was recorded – to the governing body.

Gould had raised eyebrows in a social media post on Saturday night when he denied Xerri had sought a release by saying he had “just spoken with Bronson and his manager”.

“I’m representing Bronson at the moment. Matt’s obviously suspended, which is well known now,” Christodoulou said. “We’re business partners, so I’m taking over his clients while he’s suspended.”