Xerri responds to shock Dogs axe as forgotten half shines; flyer’s bid to end NRL exile — Ressies Wrap

There wasn’t a bigger name in reserve grade this week than star Canterbury Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.

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The number one rugby league story in the news cycle over the past week, Xerri has been at the centre of headlines after reports emerged that he was agitated and even came close to requesting a release from the club.

Unhappy with being moved from his primary left centre spot to the right-edge, he was subsequently dropped to the NSW Cup in favour of Enari Tuala.

However, Xerri delivered a classy response in front of around 100 fans and the Bulldogs GM of Football, Phil Gould, in the nation’s capital - much different to the lights of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Returning to his left centre spot, he scored with his first touch of the football and had several other impressive involvements, such as a one-on-one tackle in the dying stages of the match, which saw him and the Bulldogs win by two points.

He finished with 159 running metres, one line-break, one line-break assist and seven tackle busts.

ALL EYES WERE ON…

Everyone may have had their eyes closely on the performance of Bronson Xerri, but it was teammate Sean O’Sullivan who really stood out in the Bulldogs victory over the Raiders with two try assists and two line-break assists.

The veteran halfback commanded the attack and showed the difference in experience between him and rival rookie halfback Coby Black as he continues to place more pressure on the halves pairing of Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin.

Trai Fuller may be the odd man for Kristian Woolf’s back-line at the Dolphins, but he can’t put a step wrong in the QLD Cup.

One of the best performers in the history of the competition, he once again showed why he deserves to be an NRL starter in Redcliffe’s 36-16 win over Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Fuller had two tries, 171 running metres and one try assist to his name as he completely demolished the Brisbane Broncos feeder side.

Meanwhile, his opponent and Queensland and Kangaroos representative Gehamat Shibasaki had three tackle busts and 150 running metres during the contest after being dropped by Michael Maguire.

Making his debut for the Melbourne Storm (the third player to do so for the club in 2026) the previous week, Angus Hinchey continued his standout form.

A Temora junior, the back-rower scored two tries while Davvy Moale was shifted to lock and had 140 running metres and just under 30 tackles.

Losing three matches to begin the 2026 season, Shane Flanagan is bound to look at his wider squad as he attempts to change the club’s misfortunes and could make multiple changes as early as this week.

If this is the case, multiple players stood out for them in the NSW Cup as they defeated the Eels by 30 points.

David Fale was the best, scoring a hat-trick of tries and running 253 metres. Meanwhile, fullback Tyrell Sloan was consistent at the back of the field and youngster Jacob Halangahu led the team from the front.

Captaining the reserve-grade side, Halangahu had 98 running metres, 22 tackles and could be used as the replacement for Ryan Couchman who will face the judiciary.

NSW CUP STANDOUTS

The Raiders may have been defeated by the Bulldogs, but winger Jed Stuart had a game to remember, adding three tries to the scoresheet.

The son of Ricky Stuart, Jed, who also had three line-breaks, continues to show that he is an NRL-ready winger and should notch up more appearances under his belt in the coming seasons.

Former NRL fullback Matthew Dufty continues to shine for the Rabbitohs, having been handed a lifeline by them after being released from the Warrington Wolves.

Dufty, who is looking to get back into the NRL in the future, starred in the side’s win over the Magpies with a game-high 250 running metres, 81 post-contact metres, five tackle busts and two try assists.

Don’t be surprised if he attracts the attention of either the Perth Bears or PNG Chiefs in the coming months, who are still building their inaugural rosters.

The Newcastle Knights may have been handed a reality check at NRL level over the weekend but their reserve-grade team walked out winners with Wilson De Courcey crossing for a double and Peter Hola dominating the middle of the field as he emerges as a candidate to replace the suspended Trey Mooney

A former Australian Schoolboy, De Courcey made the move to Newcastle after coming through the ranks at Penrith, but remains down in the pecking order.

On the opposite side of the field, Warriors recruit Haizyn Mellars added two more tries to his record this season. One came off a brilliant long pass from Jett Cleary, whose elegance saw him walk away with two try assists.

Regarded as the long-term successor of Dylan Edwards, ex-Australian Schoolboy Jaxen Edgar had two tries for the Panthers in their 38-12 win over the Roosters.

But it was Jesse McLean (the older brother of Casey McLean) who stood out during the match. Contracted until the end of 2028, Jesse has been linked with a move to the Titans in the past after failing to cement a regular spot in the first-grade side.

Showing that he belongs in the NRL, he bagged a double and had 214 running metres, outshining Izack Tago in the outside backs.

QLD CUP STANDOUTS

The PNG Hunters defeated the Western Clydesdales 38-14, showing that Papua New Guinea has plenty of depth once they enter the NRL competition in 2028.

Halves pairing Joel Gena and Jamie Mavoko combined for four try assists while the former starred with two tries and two line-breaks of his own.

A rising star in PNG rugby league, Gena will look to follow in the footsteps of countryman Gairo Voro, who has attracted interest from at least three different teams after impressing during his time with the Hunters.

Gold Coast Titans duo Jaylan De Groot and Tony Francis continue to pull together strong showings, heating up pressure on the current NRL outside backs.

Yet to win, Josh Hannay could very well call upon them in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, there were five sin-binnings during the match with Clay Webb, Ioane Seiuli, Kahli Junior Kali, Jacob Sykes and Samuel Wells all spending time off the field at various stages.

Kane Rushton scored three tries and had two line-breaks for the Norths Devils against a star-studded Souths Logan Magpies side that included the likes of Aublix Tawha and Jesse Arthars.

Speaking of Tawha, he had 168 running metres of 17 runs and 26 tackles but was sent to the sin-bin mid-way through the second half.

Burleigh Bears, another feeder team of the Broncos, drew with the Tweed Seagulls with halfback Guy Hamilton providing three try assists.

Hamilton outshone NRL squad members Josh Rogers, Kane Bradley and Phillip Coates but it wasn’t enough to walk away with the win.

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