Canterbury Coach Ciraldo Challenges Xerri to Earn NRL Spot After Dropping
Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has publicly challenged centre Bronson Xerri to get his attitude right and force his way back into the NRL, expressing clear disappointment at the player's reaction to being dropped from the team. Speaking for the first time since reports of Xerri's discontent emerged, Ciraldo refused to guarantee that the 25-year-old would see out the remaining two seasons of his contract with the Bulldogs.
Frank Press Conference Amid Team Unity Display
The frank and honest press conference occurred as Bulldogs players boarded a bus for Canberra, wearing T-shirts from their Las Vegas trip with the slogan "we before me" prominently displayed on the front. This visual emphasis on team unity contrasted sharply with the ongoing drama surrounding Xerri's situation.
Xerri was informed on Saturday morning that he would be dropped for the Bulldogs' clash with Canberra on Thursday night, following a pre-season shift from left centre to right. Within hours, reports surfaced indicating his unhappiness with the club and potential interest in seeking a release.
Ciraldo's Sympathy and Disappointment
Ciraldo acknowledged that reactions like Xerri's are common in the NRL, stating, "There's plenty of people in the NRL that have reactions that they regret and probably feel like they could have reacted better. That happens nearly every day in an NRL club. Bronson might have had one of those moments."
While expressing sympathy for how quickly the situation leaked to the media, Ciraldo admitted his disappointment over the affair. He noted that it had thrust the Bulldogs into another media circus during a bye weekend, disrupting team focus.
Focus on Second Response and Team Values
Ciraldo emphasised the importance of controlling one's second response, saying, "Your first response sometimes you can't control, but your second response you can. 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."
He added that Xerri at his best would undoubtedly earn a spot back in the team, placing the ball firmly in the player's court. The coach explained that Xerri's positional shift resulted from Canterbury adopting a more flexible approach over the off-season, with Stephen Crichton training effectively on the left.
Learning from Past Experiences
Ciraldo expressed confidence that Bulldogs players had learned from last year's Lachlan Galvin fiasco and were better equipped to handle external noise about the roster. He pointed to Toby Sexton's response to being dropped for Galvin as an ideal example of how players should process such news.
"Be upset, but then do what's best for the team," Ciraldo advised, highlighting the club's longstanding values. "There's a clear sign written on the wall well before I got here, about 'club first, team second and individual third'. That sign will be here a long time after we're all gone. It's our duty in the meantime to make sure we uphold those values and the DNA of our club, and we'll continue to do that."
Criticism and Contract Uncertainty
Xerri's spat has drawn criticism from Bulldogs great Josh Morris, who reminded the centre that Canterbury offered him a lifeline after his four-year drug ban. Although Xerri has not yet requested a release, several clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
When asked directly if he expected Xerri to fulfill his contract, Ciraldo would not provide assurances, stating, "He's contracted until the end of next year and it's NRL, a lot of things can happen. We didn't like his reaction to start with, but we're here to support him. And that's coaching. Until the day he leaves this club, whether that's 10 days, 10 weeks or 10 years, we'll be here to challenge him and support him."
