Bird Contract

[snout]

Let him go.
Chase tedesco.

 

[Stake Removed]

That's a lot of dollars out of the $8.3 million cap.

What did ponga get? $1mil, plus birds $900k. That's 23% without rep bonuses etc.

Shit deal by the club. They won't make the 8, with 28 other players sharing 6.4 mil.

That's a lot of dollars out of the $8.3 million cap.

What did ponga get? $1mil, plus birds $900k. That's 23% without rep bonuses etc.

Shit deal by the club. They won't make the 8, with 28 other players sharing 6.4 mil.

And this is where other clubs will benefit, Bozo was saying on saturday how Manly have signed players who were moved on from other clubs for bargain dollars.

This is how we got Barba, so now Manly doing same thing, there will be players at Knights that will have to be moved on, and good chance to pick up some bargain players that Flanno will see fit into structure at club.

Also they have some very talented juniors coming through who might say well Bird/Pongia taking my spot look to move on elsewhere

 

[2012....Sharks Year]

Interestingly over the past 3 weeks Bird has played against his old club plus the two clubs who have reportedly offered him big contracts. Surely that would fire you up to put on a good show to your old and potentially new employers?

 

[bad boy bubby]

That's a lot of dollars out of the $8.3 million cap.

What did ponga get? $1mil, plus birds $900k. That's 23% without rep bonuses etc.

Shit deal by the club. They won't make the 8, with 28 other players sharing 6.4 mil.

I thought the Ponga kid was "only" on 600 or 650k?

Bird grew up supporting the Knights too didn't he..

 

[Feej]

Love Bird and especially his contribution last year, but we'd be crazy to match the Knights deal. Bye, bye Birdie...

 

[Arnold]

I don't actually think he is that good.

Aitken kills him.

 

[Johns Magic]

I thought the Ponga kid was "only" on 600 or 650k?

Bird grew up supporting the Knights too didn't he..

Yes 600K a year but no harm rounding up to $1mn to have a whinge hey

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...a/news-story/71e4bd719374d4e2e8cb5c23c31dcef4

 

[shaggs]

Yes 600K a year but no harm rounding up to $1mn to have a whinge hey

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...a/news-story/71e4bd719374d4e2e8cb5c23c31dcef4

It was a guesstimation

So it changes to 1.5/8.3 million or 18%. Still a lot for 2 kids. But whatever. Big multi year deals have worked well for the knights in the past so keep doing that.

 

[Avenger]

The way Jack Bird is playing he should be just happy to be wanted by a very strong Club in the Sharks and being offered decent coin.

He's no Super Star.

Can anyone tell me games he's single handily won it for us?

$900k is elite money and as talented as he is. He ain't elite.

Stop listening to the drivel that comes out of Andrew John's mouth Jack and you'll live in a more real world.

Any young talent that comes up now for discussion now Andrew John's says "Oh he's a super star.... blah, blah, blah..

I couldn't agree more. Bird is talented but there is no way I would for example swap him for Norman. To be honest I reckon Townsend would be a bitter fit for us because we need a secondary kicker. Bird is just a refined version of Gutherson.

 

[MilkShark]

Bird to replace gal. It's the only way to give him more ball.

But don't give him 800k.

 

[AJB1102]

We all admire how Birdy played and with injury in the GF and rightly so. He is without a doubt a big game player. But the majority of NRL games are not what you'd call "big games". Apart from probably that Chooks game in his first year I couldn't say he has been the difference for us in any game, so he's no "game changer".

But even if we're generous and say he can be a game changer in a big match, you don't fork out that sort of cash to a bloke who can't make a position his own and will putt along until September. Everyone steps up come finals, maybe his step up is so significant because he hasn't been that good consistently through the year.

If someone else wants to pay him big bucks to play in the spine then best of luck to them and him. I'm not 100% on what Bird is but I'm pretty sure 5/8 and fullback isn't one of them. I lean toward centre or right edge backrow. If we're offering within $100K of what Wade is on he should think himself lucky.

Everyone loses a big name after a GF win. We lost Barba and Ennis under different circumstances but I'd rather cough up Bird than Val, Graham or Prior. He may provide more for another side but for us he is expendable I think.

 

[Chimp]

I really like Bird - he's a competitor and he's an attacking threat, a cracking all rounder, but he's not got a position that he owns.

He's not big enough for the pack long term, he's not skilful enough (particularly kicking game) and doesn't have the organisation skills for the halves, and I don't think he's safe enough at the back.

He doesn't have blistering pace, but he does cause havoc with his unorthodox running style/fend and off the cuff play. So he's the type of bloke who you just have to find a place in the team for - but he's not the sort of player you break the bank for in my opinion.

I think we've had excellent value for money from him, and I seriously doubt whoever is paying him his next contract will see anywhere near the same return on investment. There's also a chance based on the way he plays the game that he could get 'found out' once defences work out how to shut him down - there's an arguement that's already happening.

I suppose what I'm saying, is if we're looking at anywhere near $900k, I think we can get more bang for our bucks by looking elsewhere.

 

[AJB1102]

I really like Bird - he's a competitor and he's an attacking threat, a cracking all rounder, but he's not got a position that he owns.

He's not big enough for the pack long term, he's not skilful enough (particularly kicking game) and doesn't have the organisation skills for the halves, and I don't think he's safe enough at the back.

He doesn't have blistering pace, but he does cause havoc with his unorthodox running style/fend and off the cuff play. So he's the type of bloke who you just have to find a place in the team for - but he's not the sort of player you break the bank for in my opinion.

I think we've had excellent value for money from him, and I seriously doubt whoever is paying him his next contract will see anywhere near the same return on investment. There's also a chance based on the way he plays the game that he could get 'found out' once defences work out how to shut him down - there's an arguement that's already happening.

I suppose what I'm saying, is if we're looking at anywhere near $900k, I think we can get more bang for our bucks by looking elsewhere.

You said what I thought but betterer!

 

[Card Shark]

It was a guesstimation

So it changes to 1.5/8.3 million or 18%. Still a lot for 2 kids. But whatever. Big multi year deals have worked well for the knights in the past so keep doing that.

Knights are crazy!

They are obviously overpaying players to be where they are now.

Remind me where that is....

 

[Stalefish]

i could watch bird walk if we can keep everyone else we want off contract and sign a quality centre. we got some talent coming through i wuld rather hold onto them than watch bird bathe in overpaid $$

 

[Griffoshark66]

Is Vagana available?

 

[southland]

If Bird signs Newcastle for next year, watch his form drop from average and inconsistent this year to even more shithouse. He seems like the type who is very easily distracted.

If/When he signs with the Knights... Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Snoop Shark]

Well for a bloke who is fighting for one of his biggest contracts in his career, I can't say he has been in any career defining form. I know it's only 5 weeks into the season but it seems he looks either disinterested or slightly hesitant since his elbow injury in the GF.

Good luck to him if he can get his 800k a season. As a shark fan I wouldn't want to see our club throwing that sort of money at him.

 

[MilkShark]

I reckon his lack of form has a lot to do with Holmes switching to fullback.

Either way if he wants 900k please take it and leave. Really sick of hearing about this.

The club needs to give him a deadline so we can plan to replace him and not end up with another Ennis situation.

 

[Omnishark2]

Completely agree with all the commentary here.

Bird is not a fullback, he doesn't get his hands on the ball enough at centre or edge second rower - to be honest his best position for us would be as a lock, floating onto both sides of the field (yes I know most locks play as an extra prop in the middle third these days, but we can adapt around that). He is a bit similar to Peachey in his ability to float & beat defenders one on one.

The other things are his longevity with his condition (Newc are offering a lot of cash with that as a risk), and as others have pointed out, his consistency. Plus his defence is still very iffy on the edges.

Jack's been great for us, and we've been great for him.
I don't blame him if he takes the cash, and he'll go with our good wishes, as one of the Shark's first ever GF winners.
And if he does leave, I think we might have dodged some soap opera dramas down the track which can destabilise a team (eg "I'm bored at centre" type stuff).