So does everyone believe me now that Field should partner Hunt in the halves for 2018?
Bird is a phenomenal player there's no doubt about that, but Field is already looking exceptional before the 2017 season has even kicked off. The kid is only going to get better and he is probably playing for 1/7th of the price that Bird will be demanding. Besides, with Barba off to Toulon that gives the Sharks the cash to fight back hard for Bird's signature.
I know a lot of you will say let's wait and see how he goes this year against men in 13 aside footy, but I don't know... This kid really has it. Everything he's shown me so far suggests he will be the perfect halves partner for Hunt, and if he is weak in defence then he can be hidden by one of our back-rowers. Let's not forget how much we loved Soward and he was practically a speed hump in defence.
We have to think smart moving forward with our roster. Retaining Field and not chasing Bird will gives us a lot of money to spend elsewhere, for example bolstering the forward pack or retaining Dugan (at the right price).