Wests Tigers monitoring Bronson Xerri’s Bulldogs situation as Benji Marshall connection revealed
Bulldogs officials are aware Wests Tigers are monitoring Bronson Xerri’s situation at Canterbury as a surprising link emerges between Benji Marshall and the wantaway Dog.
The Wests Tigers are monitoring the Bronson Xerri situation at the Bulldogs - a development Canterbury officials are aware of.
It’s premature to declare the Tigers have made an official contract play or pitch to the disgruntled centre, but sources close to the
club have confirmed Xerri would be a welcomed addition to their line-up.
If he became available.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, however Xerri was, as expected, absent from the Bulldogs’ NRL line-up to visit the Raiders in Canberra on Thursday night.
Xerri was instead
named in the centres of their NSW Cup side that will travel to face the Raiders in Belconnen on Saturday afternoon.
It is unclear how long the 25-year-old will be content in reserve grade.
Xerri’s agent Matt Desira is also the manager of Marshall, while respected Tigers assistant coach John Morris was pivotal in Xerri’s rise, responsible for informing the centre of his 2019 NRL debut for the Cronulla Sharks, when Morris was head coach.
Any interest from the Wests Tigers will depend on their salary cap space, however both winger Kit Laulilii and Skelton are without contracts beyond 2026.
Should anything eventuate between the Tigers and Bulldogs, a player swap could also be a possibility.
One club that have ruled out any interest is St George Illawarra after extending talented rookie Hayden Buchanan to a new two-year deal on Monday.
It is understood Xerri trained at right centre with the Bulldogs’ reserve grade team ahead of Saturday’s NSW Cup game against Canberra at Raiders Belconnen.
While he and Gould have met and eased some concerns, there remains doubts over Xerri’s long-term future at Belmore.
On Nine’s 100% Footy, Gould was asked to clarify what was happening with Xerri. The Bulldogs boss offered little insight for viewers.
“Don’t you worry about Bronson, he’ll be right,” he said.
“Team list Tuesday comes out tomorrow, I don’t know, I don’t pick the team.”