Jack Bird’s return to St George Illawarra is edging closer to reality. The Australian understands talks have closed the gap between Brisbane and the Dragons over Bird’s future and there is now a belief on both sides that a deal can be done.
There is still work to do – Bird will need to undergo a medical given he is making his way back from successive knee surgeries – but the sense is that the former NSW star will return to his former club in coming weeks.
Bird has one year remaining on his existing deal with the Broncos worth upwards of $950,000 and Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is happy for him to depart as he ramps up an overhaul of his roster.
The Broncos will be forced to eat some of his salary in 2021 but his departure will free up considerable funds to allow the club to secure their future by re-signing a handful of players who entered the final year of their deals on November 1.
Bird has managed only 17 games for the Broncos over three seasons, his cause not helped by the knee problems that cut short his 2019 season and rubbed him out for the entirety of 2020. When he was available, Bird showed glimpses of his undoubted talent.
At the same time, Walters has given mixed messages on his future. He initially said he open to keeping Bird because he was one of the few players in his squad with premiership experience. Behind the scenes, talks were ongoing with the Dragons.
There was speculation that those negotiations had reached a standstill some weeks ago but the deal
has continued to simmer and there is now a belief that an agreement could be reached within days.
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His return to St George Illawarra would mean reuniting with his junior club – he played under 20s for the Dragons alongside halfback Adam Clune – and will be a significant coup for new coach Anthony Griffin as he attempts to lead them back to the finals.
There is a sense of urgency as well for the Broncos given the challenge they are facing a fight to retain some of their best players.
Their main focus is centre Kotoni Staggs, who is in the sights of a host of rivals. Brisbane are desperate to retain Staggs but have a battle on their hands given the extent of interest, which stretches the length and breadth of the NRL.
There are several moving pieces that could impact on Staggs’ future, most notably at Parramatta and Manly. The Eels are waiting for a resolution on the future of Michael Jennings, who has been provisionally suspended after returning a positive test to Ligandrol.
Jennings has protested his innocence but is still waiting to be given a date to front an NRL anti-doping tribunal to fight for his future.
He will remain on the Eels’ payroll until his case his heard but Parramatta would be negligent if they did not make contingency plans and Staggs is expected to be at the top of that list.
Manly are also likely to monitor Staggs’ situation given the uncertainty over the future of Dylan Walker. Walker was charged by police with common assault earlier this week and has entered the final year of his deal.
The Sea Eagles may decide to cut their losses with the former NSW centre and turn their attentions to Staggs, which would only add to Brisbane’s difficulties.
The Broncos are also in talks with young stars Thomas Dearden and Xavier Coates, the latter’s asking price expected to skyrocket after he made his State of Origin debut on Wednesday night.
