What’s The Buzz: Bronson Xerri bulks up, Phil Gould falls foul of NRL

If former Cronulla star Bronson Xerri is to return to the NRL after his ban he won’t be playing centre, Gus Gould in hot water with the NRL and more sports news and gossip.

Bronson Xerri has beefed up while serving his ban.

You’ve got to wonder if banned rugby league star Bronson Xerri will ever make it back to the NRL as the explosive, lightning-quick centre he once was.

The former Cronulla Sharks star, 21, is serving a four-year ban for testing positive to steroids and looks to have beefed up, weighing over 100kg in his most recent Instagram post.

Xerri is allowed back to the NRL in 2024 but can negotiate with clubs at any time because he is not contracted to any team. He did not return text messages on Friday.

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Bronson Xerri has beefed up over the course of his suspension.

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Phil Gould has raised concerns at NRL headquarters over his comments on the Payne Haas – Albert Kelly scuffle that will result in both players being suspended.

Gould said on Channel 9 it was a nothing incident.

“If that came to me at the Bulldogs, I would not report that to the integrity unit,” he said.

“They (the players) haven’t brought the game into disrepute, it’s the people circulating the video who have brought the game into disrepute. It’s a joke.”

The NRL is taking the matter seriously because Haas is a repeat offender.

And any attempts by the Bulldogs to cover-up similar incidents will be met with the harshest of penalties.

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SAINT

Ashleigh Sims and Shanell Dargan treated boxing fans to arguably the fight of the year – male or female – at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night in a stunning display of power and skill. It finished in a draw. We can’t wait for the rematch.

Ashleigh Sims and Shanell Dargan went to war from the opening bell and didn't let up in a WILD fight!

MORE: https://t.co/DeEp9VPDyu#GarsideMatetpic.twitter.com/ALPgIiU47k

— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) April 6, 2022

SINNER

Sometimes the NRL goes too hard to cash in on commercial opportunities. Sunday’s NRLW grand final between the Roosters and the Dragons is being played at Redcliffe in Queensland because Moreton Bay Council was the highest bidder for the event. This decider should have been relocated to Sydney once the Broncos bombed out last weekend to give fans of the two Sydney clubs the opportunity to be at the game. At least Andrew Abdo says the second NRLW grand final at the end of the year will be at a venue in Sydney.

SHOOSH

The popularity of Olympic bronze medallist Harry Garside continues to grow at a remarkable rate. His fight on Wednesday night at the Hordern Pavilion against Manuer Matet had more paying customers at the event than the Sonny Bill Williams-Barry Hall fight.

SHOOSH

Who were the two Wests Tigers officials who stormed out of a fundraiser lunch in Coogee last week because the host Richie Callander was bagging the club so heavily.

SPOTTED

Fox Sports news presenter and part-time model Matt Suleau showing off his impressive rig in a Shaver Shop TV commercial.

SPOTTED

Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce loves his sport. At a council meeting last week, league Immortal Johnny Raper and boxing world champion George Kambosos were officially recognised in mayoral minutes for their contribution to sport in the shire. Chook’s wife Carol and Kambosos were in attendance.

Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce and George Kambosos

SPOTTED

Motorcycle champion Casey Stoner getting a hole-in-one at Hope Island on the Gold Coast on the par-3 14th hole. He plays regularly off single figures at the course.

SPOTTED

We can now reveal Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga didn’t have to drive all the way to Sydney for his lunch with Wayne Bennett last weekend. They agreed to meet halfway on the Central Coast.

SPOTTED

Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend has been a busy man. His wife Marissa is expecting baby No. 4 – and that’s three kids under the age of four.

SPOTTED

Elijah Eales, the son of Wallaby legend John Eales, winning his grade cricket grand final with Mosman. Elijah is a left-handed opening batsman.

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Shane Flanagan vowed he wouldn’t talk about his son Kyle’s future at the Canterbury Bulldogs after a week of blazing publicity around his return to first grade for the match against the Panthers.

Then he turned up to work for his paid job on the 2GB Continuous Call team on Saturday and was left with no choice. It’s part of his gig to talk about the biggest issues in the game and this week his son’s NRL comeback was the story everyone was talking about.

“It’s been a tough week,” Flanagan said, “We don’t want this and Kyle definitely doesn’t need it. Kyle couldn’t care who he plays against this week, he just wants to get back into first grade. It just happens to be against Penrith Panthers, but so what in Kyle’s mind.

“He just wants to get out and play first grade. At some point during the year, hopefully he goes out and plays against every footy team. I can understand some people’s perception about him being thrown in against Penrith, but if it’s time for him to play, it’s time for him to play.”

Flanagan also spoke of his talks with Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould.

“There’s a few things I’d like to say,” he said, “Gus came out and said that he’s been dealing with Kyle, and that is 100 per cent correct.

Kyle Flanagan will make his return to the top grade for the Bulldogs against Penrith. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I met with Gus last year and he said, ‘We need to reset him, we need to get him started again, he had a tough year last year and was playing in a side getting a lot of points put on them’.

“He’s changed his game, he’s changed the way he is playing, so he needed to go back to NSW Cup and enjoy himself.

“Gus said he’d work really hard, work on a few things and once he got them right he’d be back in first grade. To his credit, he stuck to his word and has been working with Kyle.

“Trent said exactly the same thing, that he’d go back for a month or so – he left it a bit open – and be back in first grade. To his word, he is back in first grade.”

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Peter V’landys doesn’t mind a stink with Victorian racing or the AFL.

He was at it again last week the Independent Commission chairman was a special guest of the Parramatta Eels at last week’s match against the Dragons in the chairman’s club at CommBank Stadium.

At one point he was asked by Adam Hawse on stage whether the NRL should take the lead of the AFL and do more “milestone” events such as the Buddy Franklin 1000-goal celebration. His reply, “Who’s Buddy Franklin?”

On Friday we spoke to V’landys who confirmed it was all tongue in cheek.

“I’m actually a great admirer of Buddy Franklin,” he said. “I just wish he’d been a centre for the Dragons rather than play that other game, whatever it’s called.”

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Ashleigh Sims (right) was left concussed after her fight against Shanell Dargan at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night.

Footy WAG and boxer Ashleigh Sims is a glutton for punishment with no fear of pain or regard for self-preservation.

The wife of St George-Illawarra and NSW Blues star Tariq Sims emerged from a brutal four-round war against Shanell Dargan at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday night with concussion, bumps, bruises and a suspected broken knuckle.

Now she wants to do it all again – this time over an extra two rounds.

Many have described it as boxing’s fight of the year after the two women fearlessly traded the most savage blows from the opening round.

“It was a tough night,” he said, “I had a concussion and I couldn’t see properly or focus on any faces at the end.

“But I definitely want to do a rematch – and make it over six rounds.

“I wanted six rounds for the last fight but they wouldn’t take it.

“With a bit more time I would have finished the fight.”

Sims lost the first two rounds of the fight but fought back to win the last two.

“It takes me a round or two to find my groove,” she said.

“It’s all a learning curve for me to be a bit more defensive in the first round.”

The girls turned on such a magnificent exhibition of boxing that promoters No Limit threw in a $5000 bonus for both fighters as the Hordern Pavilion crowd gave them a standing ovation.

“It was a phenomenal fight,” said Matt Rose, “The reaction from the crowd said it all.

“Everyone wants a rematch and it will eventually happen.”

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Gus Gould is a ScoMo fan … at least that’s the way it appears from a Twitter exchange on Thursday. A punter asked Gus: “ScoMo or Albo?” and the great man replied: “Albo is very good in opposition. We should keep him there. Does a good job.”

The Canterbury Bulldogs boss then deleted the tweet about 10 minutes later.

It’s been a big week for Gus, who has been struck down with Covid, but still embroiled in the Kyle Flanagan selection controversy at the Dogs.

The Bulldogs general manager admitted he was in charge of deciding when Flanagan would be available for NRL selection, not coach Trent Barrett.

And on his podcast Gus declared: “I’m happy to debate them (critics) anywhere, anytime” … then refused to return phone calls or text messages.

Thank you for all the kind messages. Means a lot. ❤️ Unfortunately Covid has really got me at the moment. It’s no fun at all. I know people report they hardly had symptoms, but it’s far from that with me. I sincerely hope none of you get what I’ve got. Best wishes, stay healthy

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) April 5, 2022

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All ringside seats and corporate areas have sold out in just 30 hours for the George Kambosos v Devin Haney super fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

The June 5 world title fight will be the biggest money spinner in Australia’s boxing history.

Throw in pay per view sales locally and in America and the takings are likely to eclipse Jeff Horn v Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

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The Manly Sea Eagles have made some dud decisions over the past 20 years with their chief executive appointments. They’ve had no less than 13 CEOs since 2000.

The latest resignation, in mysterious circumstances of Stephen Humphreys, has led to a landslide of support for the club’s chief commercial officer Luke Tucker to get the job.

The club’s godfather Ken Arthurson and premiership winning captain Max Krilich are huge supporters. So too are key sponsors Points Bet, Trip A Deal, Four Pines Brewery.

Tucker has spent five years in his current role and knows the business back to front. He has built the club’s sponsorship portfolio into a position to challenge the strongest clubs.

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Originally published as What’s The Buzz: Bronson Xerri bulks up, Phil Gould falls foul of NRL