‘Hated football’: Bronson Xerri’s mum Teresa reveals heartbreak of son’s exile

After his ban, Bronson Xerri wanted nothing to do with rugby league. But his 50th NRL game – which has been 2,226 days in the making – is a fitting tribute to his mum Teresa on Mother’s Day weekend.

Bronson Xerri and his mum, Teresa, share a special bond.

Bronson Xerri’s mother Teresa has revealed the heartache of a parent who could only watch her son’s exile from rugby league.

“It was hard not just for Bronson, but for me as a parent to see your child struggle like that,” Teresa said.

“There were times, to be honest, I’d go to work and all I was thinking of is Bronson. There were times where I actually left work because I couldn’t focus and came home to be with him. It wasn’t easy.

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“It was actually heartbreaking as a parent to know that there’s absolutely nothing that you can do or say to get him out of that.”

After a standout rookie season with Cronulla in 2019, the then 18-year-old was subsequently banned from the NRL for four years after a failed drug test.

Bronson Xerri being told by then-Sharks coach John Morris he was making his debut in 2019. His mother was the first person he called. Picture: Sharks

For a long time, Xerri rejected everything to do with rugby league. It was Teresa who slowly helped bring him back to the world.

“We wouldn’t watch it, I’d never put football on the TV. We’d go for walks some days together just to get him out of the house,” Teresa said.

The pair had always been close. After Xerri’s parents split when he was 14 months old, he was raised primarily by Teresa.

“I didn’t want to see anything of it, I hated football,” Bronson said.

“Each day was just, ‘How am I going to get through this day?’

“I didn’t want to leave the house, so she didn’t leave the home either, she stayed by my side the whole time. I wasn’t really speaking to my friends or other relatives, I was just trying to survive each day and my mum was there for me.”

Xerri in action for the Blues’ under-16s. Picture: Mark Evans

Teresa describes Xerri as an independent kid, always running around the backyard with a ball in his hand.

From his junior days to being picked for NSW and Australian schoolboys, they kept up their tradition of sharing a home cooked meal the night before a game.

The tradition – and with her son’s career -was resurrected in Round 5 2024 on a wet Friday night when Bronson debuted for the Bulldogs against the Roosters.

“(It was) the happiest day of my life, apart from having him,” she said.

“Just to see your son come out from the other side and to see that smile and how happy he was, as a parent, if your child’s happy, then you’re happy.

“Every day I would say to him, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise you. He couldn’t see that at that point, but he can see it now.”

Xerri is flying high with the Bulldogs. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

There have been 2,226 days between his first NRL game and his 50th this Saturday when the Bulldogs face the Raiders. There was a time Xerri thought he’d never reach the milestone.

“I didn’t want to come back, I wasn’t even thinking about football. But it’s been a journey and I thank God. Everything happens for a reason and I’ve come out of that and definitely grown as a person,” he said.

“She was just there for me every day, she was the one person and that’s why I’ll always say she’s my rock.

“I’ll be going out this weekend to play for her.”