‘I’m rooting for him’: Bronson Xerri earns State of Origin endorsement from Blues star

Blues coach Laurie Daley has some big calls to make when he names his State of Origin squad next month, with a Bulldogs star being talked up as a deserved debutant.

Bronson Xerri has already been backed by former Blues players to make his State of Origin debut this year, and now the Bulldogs centre has received support from his club captain and NSW superstar Stephen Crichton who says he’s “rooting for him” every week.

Crichton has represented his state nine times and is almost certain to be picked at right centre again if he remains fit.

And he could be joined by his Canterbury teammate after injuries to Zac Lomax and Tom Trbojevic opened the door for someone like Xerri to come into the side, with established stars Latrell Mitchell and Bradman Best also in the mix.

It’s been a remarkable rise for Xerri, who was suspended for four years after he tested positive to a banned substance, with the junior prodigy returning in 2024 and quickly becoming one of the best centres in the NRL.

Bronson Xerri is in career-best form this year. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I’m very proud of Bronson,” Crichton said, with the Bulldogs pair looking to emulate Dragons duo Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper who played together in the centres for NSW.

“He’s taken a massive leap this year with how professional he is and the way that he goes about his business now is second to none.

“He came in last year and he really shocked a lot of people. I feel that in the four years he had off, he really missed the game and he’s playing catch-up now.

“The way he’s playing for the Dogs is definitely putting him in the right direction to be selected for Origin.

“I’m rooting for him every week.

“Playing in the same position as him, I know what he can bring. Defence is a massive thing for Origin, and the way he’s been playing has been one of the best (centres in the NRL), so I hope he gets selected.”

Xerri thanked Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo and head honcho Phil Gould for having faith in him, with the 24-year-old honoured to hear Matthew Johns talk him up recently as an Origin bolter.

Xerri has been talked up by former NSW players like Matthew Johns. Picture: Thomas Lisson

“It’s unbelievable. To hear something like that from a guy like Matty Johns is special. From where I’ve come – from the hardship to now – to hear that is big,” he said.

“When I came back, my first goal was to make this Bulldogs side. I knew I wasn’t going to come here and have a spot handed to me, I knew I had to earn it being four years out of the game.

“I set little goals, and whatever comes from that would follow. I’ve got to give credit to Ciro (Ciraldo), the coaching staff and Gus (Gould) for signing me. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in this position.

“I feel like confidence is a key thing with me. I knew that I needed a bit of time to find my feet after years out of the game.

“I knew that last year wasn’t the best version of myself, so I had to be patient. Ciro trusted that, and I had a good mindset coming into this pre-season to be the best player I can be.”

Xerri represented the Blues several times as a junior. Picture: Adam Head

The Origin arena is nothing new to Xerri, who was an Australian Schoolboys star as a teenager, while he also represented his state in the under-16s, under-18s and under-20s.

He played alongside Best in the centres and scored a try in the under-18s match against Queensland in 2018, with Xerri backing up a few weeks later to play in the under-20s match against Maroons stars Harry Grant, Patrick Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

“I’ve played in all those representative teams since I was 15, so I know what it takes and I know the rivalry,” he said.

“I can only imagine the feeling when you play an actual Origin game. Being a junior coming up and seeing it all made it a goal of mine from a young age.”