Doggies drama as Xerri weighs up future at Belmore

Tensions are simmering at the Bulldogs after centre Bronson Xerri reportedly considered walking out on the club following a turbulent few days that left his future at Belmore uncertain.

The situation escalated to the point where Xerri was prepared to inform teammates on Sunday morning that he intended to quit the club immediately, despite being contracted until the end of the 2027 season, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Xerri's frustration is understood to have stemmed from news that he would not be offered a contract extension, the he would be dropped to NSW Cup for Thursday night’s trip to face the Canberra Raiders and asked to switch to the unfamiliar right centre position.

In response to the growing tension, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould met with Xerri for breakfast on Sunday in an attempt to mend the relationship with the 25-year-old.

Gould was asked about the situation while appearing on Nine's Sunday afternoon NRL coverage.

"Bronson had a year last year where he did a great service for the club, he played with a lot of injuries all year," he said.

"A year where he put the club and the team before himself on a lot of occasions and it's restricted his training and his off-season and right at the moment he's just struggling for a bit of confidence," he said.

"We're there to coach that and make sure it's right. He's in good spirits, he trained this morning and I'm looking forward to his game next weekend."

Canterbury are reluctant to release the strike centre, however the club may reconsider its stance if the dispute intensifies. The Bulldogs maintain that no formal request for a release has been submitted.

It is also unclear whether Xerri will take the field in NSW Cup this weekend when Canterbury’s reserve-grade side faces Canberra in Belconnen. The Bulldogs could opt to leave him out to avoid additional scrutiny while the matter is resolved internally.

“I think it’s in Bronson’s best interest; he needs to react positively,” Xerri’s acting agent George Christodoulou told the SMH.

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

“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.”

If Xerri ultimately departs Belmore, the move could reshape the Bulldogs’ backline. Rising playmaker Mitchell Woods may be elevated to the NRL squad, potentially forming a halves partnership with Lachlan Galvin in a scenario would likely see Matt Burton shift into the centres.

After serving a four-year suspension for a doping breach, Xerri revived his NRL career at Canterbury and quickly re-established himself as one of the competition’s most dangerous outside backs.

Several rival clubs have been floated as possible new homes, including the Parramatta Eels, Melbourne Storm and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Enari Tuala is tipped to be selected in the centres for Canterbury’s NRL clash against Canberra this week.