Bronson Xerri is getting close to putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Bulldogs, with the centre also saving some room on his body for some other ink in case of a Premiership this year.
Xerri, 23, signed a two-year deal at the end of 2022 and made his return to the field earlier this season having served a four-year ban from the sport.
The speedster has thrived at left centre under Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo, and while he still has 12 months to run on his current deal, he wants to extend his stay in Belmore at a club that believed in him when others weren’t so sure.
“The club has given me a second opportunity so it’s only right for me to stay here and repay the faith,” he said.
“I’m loving every minute at this club.
“We’re pretty close (to finalising it) but I’m just worrying about the game on the weekend, so I’ll let my manager and whatnot sort that out for me. I’d love to stay at this club because I’m really enjoying it.
“This club has given me a second opportunity so I’d like to stay here as long as possible, as long as the club wants me.”
Xerri has been one of the many good stories at Canterbury this year, with the Bulldogs just two points outside the top four and closing in on their first finals berth since 2016.
A top-eight finish felt like a long shot at the start of the year, but they now look like a team that can do deep in the finals on the back of their frugal defence and an attack that showed its potential in the big win over Brisbane last week.
It’s why Xerri has saved room to add to his tattoo collection if they can win the club’s first title since 2004.
“I’m backing us all the way,” he said.
“I’ve definitely got some room (for a premiership tattoo) so God willing we make it because if we win it, there’s definitely a tattoo coming.
“I believe that we can go all the way, and there are a lot of us that believe we can go all the way. Ciro and the staff have instilled that from day dot.
“I feel like with such a hardworking team that whatever we put our mind to, we can achieve it.
“At the start of the year you could see signs of it, but there were little things that weren’t going our way. I think there are games where it’s clicked and we can see our potential. That’s where the confidence and belief comes from.”
Article courtesy of Martin Gabor, The Australian. Originally published as ‘There’s definitely a tattoo coming’: Bronson Xerri backs Bulldogs to win the title as he closes in on a new deal.'
