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Bulldogs may try to sign troubled Shark Greg Bird
Exclusive by Dean Ritchie
October 20, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24521512-5001023,00.html
THE Bulldogs last night revealed an interest in troubled Cronulla star Greg Bird.
Bird may now have two NRL options when sacked - as is anticipated - by the Sharks.
The NSW and Australian player allegedly glassed his girlfriend, Katie Milligan, and is due to reappear in court on November 20.
Bird has told friends he has an interest in playing for the Sydney Roosters, and the Bulldogs last night refused to rule out making a bid for the Sharks lock.
"My mail is that even if he is found not guilty, the Sharks may not look to keep him," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg told The Daily Telegraph. "I don't want to talk about whether they will or they won't (sack him) but we won't rule anyone out.
"I think (Sharks CEO) Tony Zappia has done a good job and Cronulla have done the right thing. We'll let the investigation take its course.
"But I have said in the past, players that come here have to tick two boxes - to be a quality player and quality person. I don't know Greg Bird but he'd need both boxes ticked if we were to consider him. There is still a long way to go - we'll see what happens."
Bird is in Los Angeles after spending time in New York. Before leaving, he told teammates he had explored linking with the Roosters.
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan denied his club would look to negotiate with Bird but The Daily Telegraph has been told that club recruitment officer Peter O'Sullivan has spoken to Bird's manager Gaving Orr.
"No, never been mentioned," Canavan said.
"I think we are well placed in the positions where he plays, lock and five-eighth."
Zappia was angry at the informal approaches and told rival NRL clubs to back off trying to lure Bird from Toyota Stadium.
"It's disappointing," he said. "I would have thought they would have come through the front door. He is a contracted Cronulla player and at this point in time there has been no decision about his future."
English Super League club Hull may also make Bird an offer. Former Cronulla teammate Adam Dykes has been released from Hull and the club now has money to spend.
However, Bird has told Orr he would prefer to remain playing in Australia.
Exclusive by Dean Ritchie
October 20, 2008 http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24521512-5001023,00.html
THE Bulldogs last night revealed an interest in troubled Cronulla star Greg Bird.
Bird may now have two NRL options when sacked - as is anticipated - by the Sharks.
The NSW and Australian player allegedly glassed his girlfriend, Katie Milligan, and is due to reappear in court on November 20.
Bird has told friends he has an interest in playing for the Sydney Roosters, and the Bulldogs last night refused to rule out making a bid for the Sharks lock.
"My mail is that even if he is found not guilty, the Sharks may not look to keep him," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg told The Daily Telegraph. "I don't want to talk about whether they will or they won't (sack him) but we won't rule anyone out.
"I think (Sharks CEO) Tony Zappia has done a good job and Cronulla have done the right thing. We'll let the investigation take its course.
"But I have said in the past, players that come here have to tick two boxes - to be a quality player and quality person. I don't know Greg Bird but he'd need both boxes ticked if we were to consider him. There is still a long way to go - we'll see what happens."
Bird is in Los Angeles after spending time in New York. Before leaving, he told teammates he had explored linking with the Roosters.
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan denied his club would look to negotiate with Bird but The Daily Telegraph has been told that club recruitment officer Peter O'Sullivan has spoken to Bird's manager Gaving Orr.
"No, never been mentioned," Canavan said.
"I think we are well placed in the positions where he plays, lock and five-eighth."
Zappia was angry at the informal approaches and told rival NRL clubs to back off trying to lure Bird from Toyota Stadium.
"It's disappointing," he said. "I would have thought they would have come through the front door. He is a contracted Cronulla player and at this point in time there has been no decision about his future."
English Super League club Hull may also make Bird an offer. Former Cronulla teammate Adam Dykes has been released from Hull and the club now has money to spend.
However, Bird has told Orr he would prefer to remain playing in Australia.
