Reason for Dogs star’s release bombshell as potential swap shut down amid Gus probe

Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was reportedly told he would be dropped for Enari Tuala for Round 3 against the Raiders, sparking his immediate release request bombshell.

The Daily Telegraph reported Xerri was dropped after barely holding his spot for the season opener in Las Vegas, with Tuala spending their bye week in Round 2 training at centre.

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There were reported talks of a player swap deal between Xerri and Panthers centre Izack Tago, but those conversations weren’t initiated by the Bulldogs.

However, Fox League’s Greg Alexander, who is a board member at the Panthers, said no discussions about a player swap involving Tago have been had.

“There’s absolutely no talk at Penrith about swapping Izack with anyone, certainly not Bronson Xerri,” Alexander said on the Sunday Ticket.

“Izack is contracted until 2027 and he’s staying at Penrith.”

Meanwhile, the NRL will hold talks with Bulldogs CEO Phil Gould after he revealed he spoke to Xerri’s suspended agent on X.

Xerri is represented by Matt Desira who is currently not allowed to be speaking to clubs due to a suspension which was handed down in December for not reporting and dishonesty involving a drug charge.

It’s understood the NRL would like to clarify the exact lines of communication between Gould and Desira.

However, Channel 9’s Danny Weidler denied that Xerri has asked for a release.

Xerri reportedly denied claims he has asked for an immediate release, but his bombshell contract rumours reportedly come from the club not offering him an extension.

Veteran journalist Brent Read revealed on Triple M that the Bulldogs denied Xerri a contract extension for 2027, prompting the 25-year-old to look at his options.

“My understanding is that the club wasn’t in a position to give him an extension for next year and as a result of that I believe he will ask to go to market and see what is out there for him,” Read said on Triple M.

“I thought it was going to be at the end of the year, but maybe it has got to the point where it is an immediate release.”

Code Sports reported Xerri is set to inform the Bulldogs he wishes to be granted the release just one game into the 2026 season.

Xerri’s request has blindsided the Bulldogs, with the publication reporting he has been told he will not be offered a new deal beyond 2027 and is angling for a release as a result.

Fox League understands that a player swap with the Penrith Panthers is being discussed, which would see Izack Tago make the switch to Belmore.

The 25-year-old was moved from left centre to right centre this season and if he moved, Code Sports reported there is talk the Bulldogs could name rookie Mitchell Woods when healthy in the halves alongside Lachlan Galvin with Matt Burton switching to the centres.

Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould has since come out and stated that the rumours of Xerri requesting a release are false.

“This is what I know … Just spoke with Bronson and his manager. Neither Bronson Xerri nor his manager has asked for a release,” Gould said on X.

“Neither Bronson nor his manager has spoken to the media. Neither can explain where the media stories have started.

“Bronson and I will be having breakfast together tomorrow before training. Bronson will be training with the NRL squad tomorrow as per usual … Not sure what else I can tell you.”

Xerri was one of the Bulldogs’ best in Las Vegas, running for 144 metres and making 24 tackles.

The Bulldogs are currently on the bye with their next game against the Raiders in Canberra next Thursday.

MANLY WARHORSE REVEALS UNIQUE CONTRACT DEADLINE

Jake Trbojevic has reportedly agreed to a new deal with Manly for 2027, but will wait and see whether to activate it and play on next season.

AAP reported Trbojevic has signed a contract extension for 2027, but will adopt a wait-and-see approach if he sees out the deal.

Trbojevic just returned from a concussion in Manly’s golden point loss to the Raiders in Round 1 and had three concussions last season.

Off contract at the end of 2026, the former NSW Blues skipper had been expected to extend his Manly deal, before the repeated head knocks left him weighing up early retirement.

However, the 23-year-old has reached an agreement for a one-year extension, while taking a big pay cut in a bid to prolong his career at the club.

However, Trbojevic will wait until Round 10 to activate the contract, while Manly could potentially give him more time to decide whether he wants to play on.

“I just want to see how I go,” Trbojevic told AAP ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Newcastle.

“I did a lot of work in the pre-season, and a lot of contact.

“Last year was a bit disappointing with how it all went. Obviously just getting knocked out every second week was disappointing.

“So I want to see how I go and I want it to work for both parties. … I was always going to play this year, so it doesn’t change anything.”

Trbojevic has scored 34 tries in 242 games for Manly since his debut in 2013 and has played 19 Origins for the Blues and 13 Tests for the Kangaroos.

WARRIORS SET TO LOSE ANOTHER FORWARD

Days after it was confirmed that Mitch Barnett will be making the move to the Broncos next season, the New Zealand Warriors are set to lose another forward.

According to Barry Toohey from The Newcastle Herald, the Newcastle Knights “are very keen” to land Marata Niukore and are closing in on a deal with him for the 2027 season.

Code Sports understands that the Warriors are resigned to losing the versatile forward who they handed a $2.5 million contract in 2023.

Off-contract at the end of 2026 along with seven other teammates, Niukore has featured in 157 matches in the NRL, with 61 of those coming with his current club.

The other 96 games come during his time with the Parramatta Eels between 2018 to 2022, which included playing in a grand final against the Penrith Panthers.

He has also played multiple internationals for both the Cook Islands and New Zealand Kiwis over the years.

“It’s always tough on recruitment, it’s always speculation, and there’s always interest,” Knights coach Justin Holbrook said.

“But I don’t want to comment on that. “I’m obviously part of the process, but until things get confirmed or locked in, I’d rather not speculate on anything.”