Bizarre twist in reports Xerri wants Bulldogs release

After News Corp reported that Bronson Xerri was reportedly ready to ask for an immediate release from the Bulldogs, General Manager of Football Phil Gould has denied those claims.

In a post to X, the two-time premiership coach and respected official did his best to answer fans' concerns that they could be losing the 25-year-old.

In that message, Gould said that he spoke with both Xerri and his manager, who said that neither has asked for a release or even discussed the matter.

Both are also unsure how this news came to be.

Canterbury-Bankstown has played an important part in Xerri’s NRL career.

After copping a four-year ban backdated to 2019 by the league’s anti-doping tribunal following a positive test to a banned substance whilst playing for Cronulla, it would be the Bulldogs that handed the now 25-year-old an NRL lifeline by signing him to a two-year deal in 2022.

Following a strong debut season, which saw him play 19 games and score 10 tries, Xerri signed an extension to stay with the club until 2027.

Having had the bye this week, their next game won’t be until next Thursday when they face the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.

Xerri is currently expected to be in attendance for the Bulldogs' training session on Sunday per Gould's post.