Xerri to make return with Canterbury Bulldogs after drug ban

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have confirmed a playing contract for Bronson Xerri to return to the NRL from the start of 2024, has been issued.

This statement came after Xerri uploaded a photo to his personal Instagram account of the playing contract.

The Bulldogs confirmed on Friday they are working “with the NRL Integrity Unit to ensure full compliance is undertaken, before Bronson is able to return to the sport in November 2023”.

Xerri, 22, has been signed following confirmation that former Bulldogs centre Aaron Schoupp has moved north to the Gold Coast Titans.

Xerri began his NRL career at the Cronulla Sharks where he played 22 games, scored 13 tries and firmly established himself as one of the games most promising young talents in 2019. He looks to be their long term left-centre to go with Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr.

In November of 2019, Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping policy and was subsequently suspended for four years.

Xerri had tested positive for testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol. It is unclear why the substances were consumed, but it was confirmed by the NRL that Xerri knew “the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned”.

Xerri appealed his lengthy suspension and failed, with his ban set to expire on November 25, 2023. Following the conclusion of his ban, Xerri will be permitted to join the Bulldogs to begin his return to first grade.

“For all you haters calling me a drug cheat, you all have no clue how much I put in the work to be where I was, and to my loyal family and friends, words can’t express how much you all mean to me. The comeback is on, 2024″ Xerri said.

The Bulldogs are a $23 shot to win the 2023 NRL Premiership with online bookmakers and with Xerri set to join them at the end of the season, the future looks bright.

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