Canterbury have signed former Cronulla centre Bronson Xerri on a two-year contract starting in 2024 as the fallen star tries to revive his NRL career after serving a four-year ban for using performance-enhancing drugs.
The Bulldogs issued a statement on Friday to say they would work with the NRL Integrity Unit to “ensure full compliance is undertaken, before Bronson is able to return to the sport in November 2023”.
Xerri has not played since his impressive 22-game rookie season in 2019 after he tested positive to exogenous testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a,17b-diol from a test on November 25 that year.
After being banned for four years midway through 2020, Xerri issued a statement to say he was “devastated but I’m bound by the system so there is not much more I can say at this stage”.
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“There is a process in place that I am required to follow. I’m shattered I’m not playing with the boys this weekend.”
He posted on social media after his appeal was denied earlier this year, writing: “One mistake and it’s all gone. I take full responsibility, I know I put myself in this position but everyone deserves a second chance.
Bronson Xerri. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
“I was a young kid that just wanted to get back doing what I love and all that I’ve ever known, but I’ll take this 4 year suspension on the chin and come back and show you all. 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.”
The NRL, in rejecting the appeal, said its tribunal found “Xerri intentionally took testosterone in late 2019 knowing that the substance was either banned or that there was a serious risk that it was banned” and also that his “actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent”.
Xerri has been maintaining his fitness by doing sessions with sprint trainer Roger Fabri while he has been serving his ban.
After scoring 13 tries in his rookie season as an 18-year-old, Xerri was touted as a future representative star due to his blistering speed which caused havoc with defenders out wide.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
I doubt he's still on them if only because he'd be financially in a squeeze to keep affording them.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
He might look like Mr.Universe but that means nothing. I think it was more a comment that the teenager was obviously knowingly juicing up more than an orange orchard in harvest season. No teenage male is that ripped naturally.
Noel
Roar Rookie
Sandor Earl came back and played first grade again. Wasn't quite the same player, but whether that was a result of getting off the juice, or the lack of development in his game due to the layoff is open for debate. But he came back, played a lot for the SC Falcons, then a few more games for Storm when injuries hit... Xerri can provide the same kind of cover, at the right price, and could be a good news story to boot. I'm not for a second condoning the use of performance enhancing drugs (cough, cough, 2016, cough, cough), but I can see how the 'Dogs can maximise this signing.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
I agree, never trust a drug taker. Caffeine addicts are the ones I avoid at all costs, but people that use sugar are the worst.
WA Sharks Fan
Roar Rookie
Really??? :sick:
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Therefore it would make good sense for a convicted drug cheat to pay for their own supervised testing. Even during their suspension period. Drug cheating is also theft of another athletes chances. The law should punish accordingly. Good luck to xerri "but"!
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Unfortunately it SportIntegrityAustralia (the governing body) explains that drug testing is expensive, and so very much indicates that athletes once suspended are not tested. Xerri would be free to take any drug he wants until his return in 2024. A clear test at that point doesn't prove he wasn't cheating in the interim. For someone to think they should cheat their way into the NRL at the raw age of 18 /19, the mind just boggles. In all walks of life, it's far safer to never trust a drug-taker. Acts of deceit will always be their plan-A, B, and C.
dogs
Guest
Love a young ones quote
Birdy
Roar Rookie
The truth will be out there for all to see on his comeback. I will have no sympathy for him if he fails, either by performance or by drug testing. Just hope he sets the right example for the next set of losers who try to take the easy way to success.
chris
Guest
Hardly the same things. With the prospect of a life ban being in place from any sport , for drug cheats. If they then know that’s a fact & still go down that route. That’s all on them & they’d know the consequences. Did the drug cheats actually earn their their places at the top levels of different sports ? No, they’re getting there because they’re cheating. Then cheating those who aren’t cheats , out of opportunity & the right to earn from their real efforts.
Albo
Roar Rookie
And Schoupp can tackle ! Last time we see him Xerri couldn't !
KenW
Roar Rookie
Cheating within the game is always going to be looked at differently from problems outside the game. Not that I would argue against a second chance. He's done 4 years and doesn't deny the charge - unlike many others. It's a bit of a worry that he's concerned about the people that called him a cheat though, he's going to get a lot more of that when he comes back and is in the spotlight again.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
As far as I’m aware now that he’s signed he’s subject to the same testing procedures as every one else. Otherwise people would deregister , do what they needed to do then get an independant drug test, wait till that goes clean and resign :thumbup: So I’m assuming he’d have to be clean the day he signed
Succhi
Roar Rookie
No issue with the guy coming back after serving his suspension. My only issue is with him signing a contract whilst still serving it and I think another year to go?
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Which is still another 15mths away.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The 4 year ban isn't due to expire til next offseason. There's already a currebt centre confirmed as not getting another contract.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Ben Johnson did wonderfully well on his comeback after steroids - NOT
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
"it was the other three, not me" and "I have no recollection of that fact your honour", followed by "I'm not crying I've just got something in my eye" when busted, and to stay on the Bulldogs theme - "she told me she was 18" after doing a high school tour
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
says a lot about the stupidity of some. Hey everyone here are my selfies of me in the gym, look hay massive I've become in 2 short years. Oh - but trust me, it's all natural
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
he must be jacked now. had 2 years of freedom to be on the juice to hit the weights without random drug tests, now all he has to do is stay off them long enough so they're out of his system for his test prior to game 1.