Bird out for Three.

[Sharkie73]

Bird ban makes it 13 weeks out
July 6, 2004

CRONULLA five-eighth Greg Bird will miss more than half of the NRL season after being hit with his second suspension this year.

Bird, 20, has entered an early guilty plea to the NRL judiciary on a grade two dangerous throw charge and has copped a three-week ban.

The Junior Kangaroo has only played two matches since returning from a 10-week suspension for kneeing South Sydney's Shane Marteene in the head in round four.

Bird is off-contract with the Sharks and club chief executive Steve Rogers said the pivot's ill-discipline could affect his chances of being retained.

Penrith prop Richard Fa'aoso has pleaded guilty to a grade three careless high tackle and will miss playing for NSW Residents against Queensland Residents at Telstra Stadium tomorrow night.

New Zealand Warriors pair Henry Fa'afili and Iafeta Paleaaesina have escaped suspension after pleading guilty to grade one striking and contrary conduct charges respectively.

From Fox Sports; http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10057274-23214,00.html

 

[millersnose]

now i am not birds biggest fan and i think the ban appropriate but i think this was unnessecary:

"Steve Rogers said the pivot's ill-discipline could affect his chances of being retained. "

maybe it is a ploy to take advantage of bird in a vulnerable position and get him to sign cheap

i still think it is bad form by the club to say such a thing publically

 

[Tadpole]

Thats what you get for being a walking Brain Explosion, he needs a bit of discipline in his game, I dont think its unfair of sludge to make those comments, im sure everyone knows that anyway

 

[pogo]

well said

 

[Nages]

now i am not birds biggest fan and i think the ban appropriate but i think this was unnessecary:

"Steve Rogers said the pivot's ill-discipline could affect his chances of being retained. "

maybe it is a ploy to take advantage of bird in a vulnerable position and get him to sign cheap

i still think it is bad form by the club to say such a thing publically

I agree totally, Millers.

Bad form by the club. Next time it's crunch time in a game and an opposition winger is cutting up middle, perhaps our players should just give him a little pat on the arse and send him on his way.

It was a spur of the moment thing and nobody within the Sharks should be critisising ANY player for trying too hard.

 

[Nages]

Thats what you get for being a walking Brain Explosion, he needs a bit of discipline in his game, I dont think its unfair of sludge to make those comments, im sure everyone knows that anyway

Needs a bit of discipline? Didn't he have a perfect record before the kneeing thing?

Joey Johns has a far bigger record of brain explosions, and I don't see him missing half a season...

 

[pogo]

well said MILLERSNOSE!

 

[warren]

wasn't gallen like this not to long ago? he'll move on from this.

 

[Shark]

I personally don't think he learned too much during his 10-week break.

Sure, he's a good footy player, but I think his ego is considerably greater in size than his talent. Self confidence is great, arrogance is not.

As for Sludge's comments - Hell, plenty of people here (including you, Pogo) have suggested that the club is NOT being well-run in a business sense.

Now, here we have Mr Rogers working towards signing Bird at less money due to his indiscretions this season, and we're being critical and suggesting that it's 'poor form' of Rogers to make these comments.

Get off the fence, people!

If Bird signs at a low price, let him EARN an upgrade next season. If he plays 24 games in 2005, upgrade his contract. That is certainly possible, plenty of blokes have negotiated contract upgrades mid-term, if their efforts on the paddock warrant such an upgrade.

 

[pogo]

you missed the point shark with due respect.

no succcessful business criticises its staff (this borders on belittling bird) in public.

that is ..dont air your dirty washing in public.

this ploy by cronulla is childish in the least .

peachey on the other hand has been a masive part of cronulla and unless they have privately told him of the clubs plans re his future,you cant help but think its very amateurish management.

 

[Macca]

CRAP. If they get Bird to sign for less money, then it was a great BUSINESS move.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

that is ..dont air your dirty washing in public.

Be sort of like a fan publicy spreadinga rumour that can be very damaging to the Sharks

 

[Sharkie73]

I think he will sign for less, particularly since no other club has expressed any interest as yet.

 

[Shark]

It could also be seen as Rogers diluting any 'open market' value for a business asset (read: Bird) that he wants to keep hold of, but at a lower rate.

The article could also backfire - Other clubs might throw come cash at him now, knowing that we're not chasing him real hard.

 

[Jimbo]

no succcessful business criticises its staff (this borders on belittling bird) in public.

that is ..dont air your dirty washing in public.

this ploy by cronulla is childish in the least .

Like they were doing to Anderson all last year...

It seems you can't teach old dogs new tricks after all :roll:

 

[El Coconuto]

I've supported Bird throughout most of the forumbashing he's recieved but the suspension is fair. I thought there wasn't too much in it but obviously if he pleaded guilty he knew he was in the wrong somewhere. That being said, I feel Rogers was very unproffesional with those remarks and wouldn't be surprised if Bird felt he had to leave after such things were made public.

On the more immediate front, I suppose this moves Kent into 5/8 with Kimmorley coming back.

 

[pogo]

is that right mcjoey......alienate your players by criticising them at an inopportune time then sign them at a reduced rate.

fantastic way to engender loyalty into a club.

the writing is on the wall in this case , its very plain to see where this is headed.

 

[Craigshark]

I feel a bit sorry for Bird.. In the 2 games he has been back, in my opinion he has looked a lot better player and has been doing a lot better things.. He may still have some faults but he is only young and is improving.. Then for him to cop a 3 week suspension for just a tough tackle, the judiciarys a joke..
I am probably one of the only ones who wants Bird re-signed for next season, because while i think his best position is not 5/8 but Lock, he has still shown glimpses of brilliance and what he can do in the last two games he has played at 5/8 and looks to be on the improve..
Keep Bird, move him to Lock or the bench, and he wouldnt be getting to much now so just leave it.. If he wants to leave so be it..

 

[beekershark]

I tend to think that the club is trying to force bird out.


THe charge DESERVED a defence and hearing, WAyne pearces view last night was that the charge was steep and the grading too high, the club SHOULD have argueed that on wednesday night and at least got a downgrade of the grading.


BUt they choose not to, they tell bird to cop it and take the break for 3 weeks.

Then the GM makes noises about birds ill discpipline being a problem............BUt sludgey, it wouldnt have been a problem if you guys bafcked him and got him off.......
I agree with you millers in that the club is playing games, but disagree that it is to get him on a reduced deal, I am certain the club wants bird GONE, because a new 5/8 is on the way.

 

[pogo]

ahh good onya back flip........rumours mate???

you thrive on them.

actions not rumours get people in strife.