Bronson Xerri has made a case for being one of the best signings in the NRL this season as he has returned from a four-year layoff to star for Canterbury.
The former Cronulla junior was handed a lengthy suspension from the game back after testing positive to testosterone in 2019.
Since Xerri was brought back from his exile by the Bulldogs, Cameron Ciraldo has revealed even he has been surprised by how successful Xerri’s return has been in his first season.
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Cameron Ciraldo reveals brutal Dogs initiation for Bronson Xerri
"Honestly, when we signed him, it was a bit of a project," the coach said while appearing on Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns.
"I didn’t even think he would challenge for NRL level until at least halfway through the year."
Ciraldo revealed that Xerri’s Belmore introduction got off to a rocky start when he turned up to the club severely lacking the fitness required to make it at the top level.
"In the first couple of training sessions, he couldn’t even finish them," Ciraldo said.
"He had a couple of issues there at the start. We were doing some laps one day and he was so far behind. So, I was into him saying, 'you sure you still want to do this?'"
"But he was adamant that he was here and he meant business."
The 23-year-old gradually worked his way into the good books of the coach and started to impress him and his coaching staff so much that he was actually considered for the opening round.
However, Ciraldo resisted the urge to throw Xerri into the deep end straight away, instead telling him to put in the work away from the limelight while in reserve grade.
"I just wanted to see a few more games out of him until it was in Round 5, I think, when he got his opportunity," Ciraldo said.
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Xerri was drafted into the side for the first time during a 30-26 win over the Sydney Roosters and has never looked back, averaging 148 run metres per game while also crossing for 10 tries in 18 appearances to date.
"The tough stuff that he’s doing is what impresses me the most," Ciraldo noted.
"You saw the highlight stuff from him early in his career and what he could do.
"But the yardage carries, certain stuff in defence and the effort on kick-chase – that’s all the stuff he’s doing that we’re valuing."
