Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri appears to be edging closer to a move to Melbourne after reportedly meeting with Storm officials on Tuesday. Craig Bellamy’s side are making moves to address the exits of Will Warbrick (Warriors), Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart (both Perth Bears) at the end of the NRL season. And they’ve earmarked Xerri as a potential recruit.
The Canterbury centre and his agent Matt Desira were spotted boarding a flight back to Sydney from the Victorian capital on Tuesday night, following a meeting with Storm officials earlier in the day. It’s understood the 25-year-old has also met with the Parramatta Eels, who are still in the market for a quality outside back to replace Zac Lomax, after the former Origin star quit to play rugby union.
Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri (R) could join Craig Bellamy’s (L) Storm after meeting with Storm officials this week. Pic: Getty
(Getty)
Xerri’s future at the Dogs was thrown into question earlier this year when he was dropped by coach Cameron Ciraldo after their opening round win in Las Vegas. Reports soon emerged that he wanted out of the club but Xerri forced his way back into the Bulldogs starting side in Round 6, only to be dropped again for last week’s golden point victory over Manly.
The centre is still contracted with the Dogs until the end of 2027 but News Corp is reporting that the club won’t stand in Xerri’s way if he wants an early exit. The 25-year-old has again been overlooked for Canterbury’s game against the Gold Coast on Friday night after Ciraldo named him in the No.19 jersey.
Bulldogs reportedly willing to let Bronson Xerri leave early
There remains an outside chance that Xerri could leave the Bulldogs before next Tuesday’s June 30 deadline. And the Storm could certainly do with a player of his quality after a raft of injuries across their outside backs.
It’s understood the Bulldogs are willing to grant Storm target Bronson Xerri an early release from a deal that runs until the end of 2027. Pic: Getty
(Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images)
Rep winger Xavier Coates (Achilles) is out for the rest of the season, while the likes of Meaney (calf), Manaia Waitere (ankle), Marion Seve (triceps) and Hugo Peel (knee) are also sidelined. The injury crisis has forced Bellamy to name back-rower Joe Chan at centre for the second game in a row – the Round 17 grudge match at Manly on Saturday night.
Melbourne’s meeting with Xerri follows reports the club is prepared to listen to offers for Jack Howarth. The centre is contracted until the end of next season but it’s understood the Storm could allow him to leave if a rival club offers the 23-year-old a long-term deal. Melbourne announced in March that they’d signed star Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako on a two-year deal from 2027.