I thought he wanted to play full back
I think 5/8 is his first choice. After the barba scenario the fullback option became available. They will probably play Homes at fullback and leave Bird in the centres. Who knows.
I thought he wanted to play full back
Keep Dugan, sack Widdop & Lafai..If talks with Dugan aren't fruitful, I'm sure we could fit Bird under the cap for 2018.
Play Widdop at Fullback, I am convinced that is his position.Hunt and Bird as the halves pairing would be awesome!!!! If Widdop wants a new contract he will need to have a massive season and judging on last years performance I can't see it happening.
Play Widdop at Fullback, I am convinced that is his position.
Hey Tom, I see that you are a massive fan of jai field and often talk him up as our long term 5/8 from 2018. How much have you seen of him? I like your positive outlook on this kid but I think it is a bit ambitious to say he is definitely our number 6 into the future. Sure he might be but I think we have to be careful not to throw all of our hopes on a 19 year old kid who may ir may not make the transition from 20s to NRL. I reckon they will be hopeful he steps up at some stage but keeping their options open.But why?
Look, it's obvious that Bird is a phenomenal player and would be a huge acquisition for any squad, but surely with the signing of Ben Hunt that all but solidifies our halves combination for 2018 and beyond in Hunt/Field.
Dufty will be our fullback and Dugan/Milne/Aitken/Herbert/Thompson to fight it out for a centre spot.
If we do offer him a contract, he will be a pretty highly paid second-rower/lock.
Bird is a deserter.He flew the coop.Do not want him in our camp under any circumstances.
Bry Bye Birdy.
Hey Tom, I see that you are a massive fan of jai field and often talk him up as our long term 5/8 from 2018. How much have you seen of him? I like your positive outlook on this kid but I think it is a bit ambitious to say he is definitely our number 6 into the future. Sure he might be but I think we have to be careful not to throw all of our hopes on a 19 year old kid who may ir may not make the transition from 20s to NRL. I reckon they will be hopeful he steps up at some stage but keeping their options open.
Not being critical either mate, I enjoy your posts. Cheers.
Spot on ddeathClub didn't want him, not vice versa...
T.
I would love to see Bird signed to play lock, but as long as he stays there. I don't want to see Jai Field's chances of playing 5/8 diminished because they chose to play Bird there instead.
Another worry is that most locks these days are just like having another prop on the field (Gallen, Taumalolo, Klemmer, Burgess etc). I worry that maybe Bird isn't quite big enough to play in the middle for 80 minutes. But hey, he's proved a lot of people wrong in his career so far.
Hutchinson will be out for a year. He is 95 kg now at 21 and will keep growing. He won't get the half position but would be in contention for 5/8 and perhaps even as a ball playing lock. With Bird in the team as well, he would have to wonder if there is a place for him at Saints at all. I'd not like to see him go. He has a great resume and seems to be a very popular young man with other players. And he won't be playing for the sort of money Bird will demand (yes, Bird is a very good player)..