Ex-Cronulla Shark Bronson Xerri would need to ‘change his body shape’ to return to the NRL

Banned Sharks bad boy Bronson Xerri has been shifting tin in his four-year forced offseason, resembling that of the Hulk as NRL recruitment expert Peter O’Sullivan says the speedster must ‘change his body shape’ to return to rugby league. 

The 21-year-old former Shark lit the NRL alight in his 22 appearances, scoring 13 tries in a strong year for Cronulla finishing seventh.

Banned NRL player Bronson Xerri poses in a mirror portrait – looking buffed up in his sanction period

Xerri was formally suspended from the NRL after a drug test on November 25, 2019 found the presence of exogenous Testosterone in his system.

The anti-doping tribunal ruled the youngster intentionally took the drug knowing it was illegal under the league’s rules, choosing to bar the outside back until the end of the 2023 season.

‘I’ll tell my story [one day], it’s not what everyone thinks it is. I made a mistake and now I have to pay the consequences,’ Xerri told 9News. 

Xerri takes up the ball during a round 16 match against the Broncos in 2019, the same year the 18-year-old made his debut

Recruitment veteran Peter O’Sullivan says the youngster will need to work on cardio to grasp back his ability. 

‘He’d need to change his body shape to play league again,’ O’Sullivan told the Sunday Telegraph. 

‘He was obviously a terrific player but you lose speed, flexibility and range of movement when you’re as big and strong as he’s looking.’ 

Xerri refused to reveal why or how he ended up taking steroids while playing in the NRL 

Renown sprint coach Roger Fabri believes Xerri is more than capable of unlocking his 2019 speed, even though the star can’t train with the Sydney based coach due to ASADA rules.

‘We have full intentions to get back together when his suspension is up,’ Fabri told Newscorp .

‘I agree his body shape has changed but if he really wants to get his speed back I can guarantee we’ll make it happen.’

Xerri escapes the edge defence of the Cowboys during a round 19 clash in 2019 – he scored 13 tries in 22 games

Fabri said that the then 18-year-old was keeping pace with some of the games biggest names, even outrunning Manly rocket Jason Saab.

Xerri has just three months until he is able to negotiate with clubs for a possible return in 2024, and would be a gun signing if he is to regain prior explosive speed.

He floated around 96kg in his stint with the Sharks, unforgettable due to his hattrick on debut in a 22-9 win over the Dragons.