NRL: Bronson Xerri vows to return after four-year ban for steroid use

Former Sharks star Bronson Xerri has vowed to show the “haters” by coming back to the NRL after accepting a four-year ban for steroid use.

Bronson Xerri has vowed to return to the NRL and “show you all” after accepting a four-year ban for steroid use.

Xerri, 20, also admitted he took “full responsibility” after the NRL‘s anti-doping tribunal delivered their final judgment in the protracted 15-month case.

In making his determination, NRL anti-doping tribunal chairman Ian Callinan QC handed Xerri the longest possible suspension under the WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) code.

Xerri will be unable to compete at a professional or amateur level in any sport until November 25, 2023.

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Bronson Xerri said he took ‘full responsibility’ for his actions. Picture: Tumblr

The former Cronulla Sharks centre took to social media after the decision was handed down on Tuesday to declare that his plan to return for the 2024 NRL season was underway.

“One mistake and it’s all gone,’’ Xerri wrote.

“I take full responsibility, I know I put myself in this position but everyone deserves a second chance.

“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.

“MIA (Missing In Action) after this until I got big news for my real fans.”

Xerri was contracted to the Sharks until the end of the 2021 season, but the Cronulla management made a decision last November to cease paying his salary.

The Sharks, where Xerri had risen from within the club’s ranks since he was 15, already had one vacancy in their top-30 roster before this season, but now have a further spot to fill following the anticipated formal termination of his contract by the NRL in coming days.

Callinan with panellists Dr Sharron Flahive and Sean Garlick, found that Xerri breached the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy in November 2019 when he tested positive to the presence of exogenous Testosterone, and its metabolites Androsterone, Etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

Bronson Xerri has been suspended for four years. Picture: Monique Harmer

Bronson Xerri has vowed to fight his way back to the NRL after his ban. Picture: Adam Yip

An NRL statement read: “The Tribunal found that Mr 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.

“The Tribunal also found that Mr Xerri’s actions were, on his own evidence, at best grossly negligent. The sanction imposed is the presumptive 4-year ban for the use of serious performance enhancing substances.”

Xerri was provisionally suspended and ruled ineligible to play for the Sharks by the NRL and ASADA on May 26, 2020 — but his ban will be backdated to the date of when he provided his A-sample to regulators on November 25, 2019.

Xerri and his lawyer Ramy Qatami had made several attempts to escape the maximum ban by pleading his defence before the NRL anti-doping tribunal.

Viewed by many as a future NSW State of Origin player, the Sharks had tabled Xerri a $1 million contract only months prior to him being suspended last May.

The Roosters had also been heavily linked to signing the rising star who scored 13 tries in 22 NRL games.

He has continued to train and box almost daily throughout his time away from the code and has shown his love for the game remains by his recent support of close mates playing for Cronulla’s Jersey Flegg team.

Xerri has been vocal about the support of his closest family and friends, who have supported him through the past 15-months.

Xerri will be 23-years-old when his ban is lifted on November 25, 2023.

Originally published as NRL: Bronson Xerri vows to return after four-year ban for steroid use