In May 2020, only two days before the NRL resumed from a COVID-enforced hiatus and the Panthers began their rise, the league announced it had provisionally suspended Xerri.
Then-20-year-old Xerri had tested positive to anabolic steroids following his rookie season at Cronulla, with the NRL confirming a four-year backdated ban in March 2021.
At that time, Penrith were dusting themselves off from their 2020 grand final heartbreak, atoning 12 months later and beginning a run of premierships that still has not ended.
But while the Panthers were making rugby league history with four consecutive titles, the suspended Xerri was at home just trying to get through each day.
Watching the sport that he'd once played was too much to handle.
"That's probably the main reason why I didn't watch it (the premiership dynasty)," the Bulldogs centre told AAP ahead of Sunday's semi-final against Penrith.
"I remember watching one grand final, obviously I watched them win it last year (when I'd returned to the NRL) and maybe the year before.
"If I watched it, I knew it would kind of eat me up and a lot of regret goes through my mind. I think it was the best thing to just stay away from it and try to be around family and friends."
Those days are a far cry from the Xerri of 2025, a resoundingly positive character who has been integral to Canterbury's rebuild since making his NRL comeback last year.
As he served his ban, Xerri was just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
"I was trying to get through day by day and just trying to be as positive as I could," he said.
"Staying fit, going to the gym, nothing too crazy. It was more of a mental battle each day to try and be positive and get on with things."
Xerri has since become well-acquainted with the Panthers across two seasons at Belmore.
He played in an 8-6 loss in round 17, one of the most enthralling games of the year and a highlight of the nine-game winning streak that booked Penrith's finals spot.
"They're a strong and classy team, they've won four (premierships) in a row. They're going to come out firing. Us boys will be prepared," Xerri said.
Despite finishing the regular season third on the ladder, Canterbury enter the clash with the seventh-placed Panthers as underdogs.
A dip in form towards the end of the season, and an injury cloud over captain Stephen Crichton, have empowered the Dogs' doubters.
"I feel like they've all forgotten how we started the year. I think we're used to it now, hearing all the negative talk," Xerri said.
"We're ready to go out there and prove them all wrong.
"On our best day, I feel like no one can stop us. All we've got to do is just prepare well and go out there and execute and that's what we're going to do."
