Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has called on Bronson Xerri to force his way back into the NRL, admitting he is disappointed at the centre’s reaction to being dropped.
Speaking for the first time since Xerri’s discontent at the Bulldogs emerged, Ciraldo refused to give any guarantee the 25-year-old would see out the last two seasons of his contract at Canterbury.
Wednesday’s frank and honest media conference came as Bulldogs players boarded a bus for Canberra, wearing T-shirts with “we before me” emblazoned on the front.
Xerri was told on Saturday morning he would be dropped for the Bulldogs’ clash with the Raiders on Thursday night, after being moved from left centre to right in the preseason.
Within hours, reports emerged Xerri was unhappy with the club and could seek a release.
He will play for the Bulldogs’ NSW Cup side against the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday.
“There’s plenty of people in the NRL that have reactions that they regret and probably feel like they could have reacted better,” Ciraldo said.
“That happens nearly every day in an NRL club. Bronson might have [had] one of those moments.”
Ciraldo said Xerri needed to show improvement before he would be considered for an NRL recall.
“Your first response sometimes you can’t control, but your second response you can,” Ciraldo said.
“His [best] response right now is to go back to reserve grade and be the best possible player he can be and force his way back into the NRL team.
“Bronson Xerri at his best will force his way back into our team somewhere. The ball’s totally in his court.”
Dolphins welcome fan abuse
Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth said he was unfazed by the prospect of being abused by Cronulla supporters when the two teams meet on Saturday night.
Cronulla’s home ground is a hostile environment for away teams, but Farnworth said he fed off the reaction from Sharks fans during previous visits to the Shire.
Herbie Farnworth is excited to return to the Sharks’ home ground. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
“Last time I was there I got a bit of abuse from the crowd, but that’s fine,” Farnworth said.
“It gives me ammo when I am getting abused. I like it.”
The Dolphins and Sharks have identical 1-1 win-loss records heading into round three.
Call for new Immortal
North Sydney great Billy Moore said Ken Irvine deserved to become rugby league’s 15th Immortal.
Irvine’s NSWRL/NRL try-scoring record had stood for more than 50 years until it was broken by South Sydney’s Alex Johnston last Friday night.
Ken Irvine is regarded as an Australian rugby league great. (AAP/NRL Photos)
Playing for North Sydney and Manly, Irvine — who died in 1990 — scored 212 tries during a decorated career in which he represented Australia and NSW.
He was named in the Australian Rugby League’s Team of the Century in 2008 but has been overlooked for Immortal status, with Ron Coote (2024) the most recent inductee.
“I always thought when they came to picking the Immortals that the glaring holes were Norm Provan and Ken Irvine,” Moore said.
“They rectified it when they put Provan in, and I do believe the rectification for Ken Irvine should happen as well sooner rather than later.
“It just hasn’t made sense ever since he was named in the team of the century.”
AAP/ABC