โI donโt 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.
โItโs not the right option to be trying to find an exit. As it is now, heโll just be playing on and trying to find his way back into first grade.โ
Bronson Xerri playing for Canterbury in Las Vegas.Credit: NRL Imagery
Christodoulou said no long-term contract discussions had been broached on behalf of Xerri or raised by the Bulldogs.
Whether Canterbury can fit Xerri into their salary cap beyond 2027 has been speculated as a cause for his discontent. Gould declined to comment on that suggestion when contacted on Sunday.
Xerri trained in Canterburyโs field session on Sunday morning after meeting with Gould and has been part of team sessions throughout the bye week after the Bulldogs season-opener in Las Vegas.
He has swapped edges with captain Stephen Crichton this season, but has made clear that his preference is to play as a left centre.
Enari Tuala is expected to be named in the centres for Canterbury.Credit: Getty Images
Crichton said he checked in with Xerri as soon as he arrived at training on Sunday and is confident the drama around his teammate wonโt be a distraction from what looms as a promising 2026 campaign.
โHeโs [been] in at training today and still seems the same,โ Crichton said on Sunday.
โI know the people upstairs, Gus and Ciro [coach Cameron Ciraldo] will sort that out and put the club first.
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โIt caught me by surprise. I didnโt know about it. But thereโs 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 heโs got a good relationship with all the boys. It caught a few of the boys off-guard too.โ
Christodoulou also clarified that he is acting as Xerriโs 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 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 โjust spoken with Bronson and his managerโ.
โIโm representing Bronson at the moment, Mattโs obviously suspended, which is well known now,โ Christodoulou said.
โWeโre business partners, so Iโm taking over his clients while heโs suspended.โ
