It had been over five years since Bronson Xerri last played at Shark Park, making his return on Saturday night a moment filled with emotion. The young centre first made waves with Cronulla in 2019, but his promising career was derailed by a four-year suspension for a doping violation. At just 25 years of age, Xerri has since moved on to Canterbury, where he has successfully resituated himself as a top-performing attacking centre.
The contest against his former club marked Xerri’s first chance to play on their home ground since his return, which could have been a daunting experience for some athletes. However, for the former Aquinas Colts junior, it was an opportunity seized—he scored the decisive try that helped lead the Bulldogs to a 20-6 victory over the Sharks.
Xerri not only secured the match-winning try but also recorded an impressive 146 run metres and two linebreaks, prompting praise from Bulldogs head coach Cameron Ciraldo. In his post-match comments, Ciraldo expressed his admiration for Xerri’s progression, noting, “I thought he was awesome. Bronson continues to impress me every week; he thrives under pressure and is diligently honing his skills.”
Ciraldo remarked on Xerri’s evolution from a naturally talented player to one who displays exceptional work ethic, challenging him to merge his famed talent with this newfound commitment. Reflecting on his performance, Ciraldo said, “Nothing fazed him tonight; I thought he was brilliant.”
Xerri’s strong performances over the past year have put him on the radar for a possible State of Origin debut—an achievement that seemed improbable during his lengthy absence from the game. With the Bulldogs remaining undefeated, they are set to face the Knights in their upcoming round five match, where Xerri will look to continue his impressive form.