On Saturday afternoon, the NRL rumour mill was sent into overdrive when reports emerged that Bronson Xerri was considering walking out on the Bulldogs despite still being contracted until the end of 2027.

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Seemingly out of nowhere, Code Sports revealed that the 25-year-old was poised to ask for an immediate release from the Bulldogs after being told he would be axed to reserve grade ahead of their Round 3 match against the Canberra Raiders.

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While it has become normal for players to switch teams, it was the way that the news emerged that caught everyone by surprise, including the Bulldogs’ current playing group.

“It probably caught me by surprise, I kind of didn’t know about it,” skipper Stephen Crichton said.

Here at foxsports.com.au, we look at what the future holds for Xerri as well as what the Bulldogs’ future plans are.

Bronson Xerri is reportedly unsettled at the Dogs.Source: The Daily Telegraph

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BRONSON XERRI?

Since returning to the NRL in 2024, Xerri has become a mainstay of the Bulldogs back-line – until the news on Saturday emerged – and was solid in the club’s season-opener against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas.

Running for 144 metres, the centre has shown glimpses in his 44 matches with the Bulldogs that he is able to return to the form that saw him nominated to win the 2019 Dally M Rookie of the Year award.

Yet to reach his potential, there are plenty of teams that would be interested in his services if he were to request a release and go to the open market.

According to Code Sports, the Manly Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels have all been informally mentioned as clubs that would pursue him if he leaves the club.

The Eels have found themselves linked to Xerri.Source: Getty Images

While Tolu Koula holds one of the spots in the centres at Manly, the club are on the lookout for a centre on the other edge as Reuben Garrick will make the switch to the Sydney Roosters at the end of the season.

The Storm have made no secret of their efforts to procure the services of an outside back and went hard after Zac Lomax before he ultimately signed a two-year contract with the Western Force.

They are also set to lose Will Warbrick at the end of the year to the New Zealand Warriors and star Origin winger Xavier Coates remains on the sidelines with injury.

Meanwhile, the Eels will lose Sean Russell to the Perth Bears and had already lost Lomax in the off-season.

Although they recruited Brian Kelly from the Titans, coach Jason Ryles is looking to beef up their outside back stocks and Xerri would fit perfectly into their starting team.

Several other teams such as the Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons and his former side, the Cronulla Sharks, would also benefit from someone of his calibre.

However, for now, he is set to remain in Belmore and look to earn his way back into the first-grade line-up.

But Xerri’s acting manager, George Christodoulou, confirmed to Code Sports on Sunday that the situation would potentially be revisited in the near future.

“The kid is upset,” Christodoulou said.

“He’s better than a NSW Cup player. At this point we have advised him and Gus has advised him to go back, play Cup and force your way back into the team.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BULLDOGS?

In the short-term, the Bulldogs are set to call upon Enari Tuala to fill the centres, but the news on the weekend has once again shown that the Bulldogs are more focused on the future than the present.

Xerri’s absence gives coach Cameron Ciraldo the option to switch current five-eighth Matt Burton into the centres and shift Lachlan Galvin back to his preferred No.6 role – a position that saw Phil Gould call him one of the best rookies he has ever watched.

It also means that Stephen Crichton won’t have to make the move to fullback to open up a spot in the back-line and they can either target a rival team’s fullback or extend the services of Connor Tracey in the off-season.

With Burton no longer in the halves, the Bulldogs are then able to promote veteran Sean O’Sullivan to the starting side to accompany Galvin until Mitchell Woods is ready for first-grade.

One of the smartest minds in rugby league, O’Sullivan showed his value at the Dolphins, helping mentor Isaiya Katoa and taking him to another level.

“I’d go O’Sullivan and Galvin combination with Matt Burton at centre. I don’t think he was great last year, Bronson Xerri,” Code Sports’ Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360 during the pre-season.

“If you’ve got Crichton and Burton on either edge and you’ve got Sean just being able to kick, pass and get this team around that just frees up all those players.

“I think the issue is not so much around Lachie Galvin being in the No.7, its that combination between Matt Burton and Lachie Galvin.

“I don’t love. I don’t think it works. I think we’ve got two guys whose best asset is running the footy, playing off the cuff a little bit.”

Mitch Woods is earmarked as the club’s long-term No.7.Source: Supplied

While he is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, Xerri’s demotion also opens the door for Mitchell Woods to accompany Galvin in the halves once he returns.

However, foxsports.com.au understands that he will not be rushed into the NRL with sources close to the situation stating that the Bulldogs will be patient with his development and would rather he get matches under his belt at NSW Cup level this season.

The incumbent Under-19s NSW Blues halfback, Woods, has been touted for stardom from a young age and has risen through the club’s ranks, which has seen him achieve multiple titles in several junior representative competitions.

“I was always tossing and turning, but I always loved rugby league,” Woods told this columnist in 2024 in one of his first rugby league interviews.

“It’s all I’ve watched, it’s all I bled, so I’d say it was always rugby league in the end.

“It’d be the dream (to wear the Bulldogs jersey). I just want to stay there for as long as I can. I love the club. I love being there.”