Jack Bird to Dragons 2018 Rumour Won't Go Away

[BennyV]

Come on, the only reason we might actually have a chance at Bird (and we don't even know if that's true) is because he used to play here and was a local. We aren't getting Moses, there will be too much competition. We would be better off trying to sign Brooks but there will be competition there too.

In addition, you need to look at the ability to lure them away from their current club. Moses wont be leaving Tigpies, they'll move heaven and earth to hold onto him and Tedesco. Bird, not having a shot in any of his preferred positions, may be looking to leave Sharks.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Didn't realise Bird's arthritis was that bad.Had heard we looked after him in the u20's.He could still be an option on a short term deal(while we wait and see if Field comes through) if the reports are right & he's so keen.
.

It's not that bad but I have the same problem with my knee.
It expensive not that should effect a nrl team from geting him.
The problem is that some of the most effective thing that they can use are banned.
Like the injections I get have steroids in them and thats a no no for a footballer.
The other options are 10 x more expensive and you need them regularly. So cost would be high.
If they stop working you have trouble walking and standing let alone playing NRL.
If they can find a way to slow down the pain and swelling he sould be able to play for a while yet.
He has it in all his joints so major problem if not looked after properly

 

[Gareth67]

The person I spoke to suggested it was more so an issue with perceived longevity than the cost of the injections. But the point stands, making a play would be considered high risk.

Regardless of where he plays , I do hope that a solution can be found . The disease is so debilitating , especially for one so young and so talented .

 

[dragonssamy61]

Well said Gareth one of your best

 

[Old Timer]

If not mistaken young Bird suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and is treated by a rheumatologist.
This is an incredibly debilitating disease and requires extensive treatment and medication (some very nasty one's among them) just to be able to lead anything like a normal life.
He is obviously very tough and wants to make the most of his time in the game and he deserves every accolade that comes his way.
Is he a risk well probably, but so are all the bad boys who implode, so are all the players who end up with career ending injuries, so it is all a rick.
However, I believe taking a risk on Bird who shows real courage in dealing with his lot is a far better option than all the Carney's, Roberts, Sandows, Vido's but to name a few.
I don't see him coming back to us but wouldn't say no if it was possible.

 

[jak]

If not mistaken young Bird suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and is treated by a rheumatologist.
This is an incredibly debilitating disease and requires extensive treatment and medication (some very nasty one's among them) just to be able to lead anything like a normal life.
He is obviously very tough and wants to make the most of his time in the game and he deserves every accolade that comes his way.
Is he a risk well probably, but so are all the bad boys who implode, so are all the players who end up with career ending injuries, so it is all a rick.
However, I believe taking a risk on Bird who shows real courage in dealing with his lot is a far better option than all the Carney's, Roberts, Sandows, Vido's but to name a few.
I don't see him coming back to us but wouldn't say no if it was possible.

well said.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Sounds to me if Cronulla are only offering high value short term contracts then we should be offering him security through another 5 year contract offer similar to that we gave Hunt. Premierships are worth at least that much.

 

[Walpole]

Could not disagree more, it seemed like a weak attempt on the surface but you simply need to look at the results to conclude that he's done well to hook a whole lot of suckers on this bait.

I'd be putting him in the top tier of trolls that we've had through in the last few years, up there with Vasilevsky TBH. Sure, he's not here for a long time (I give him 2 months before he gets bored or adopts another avatar) but he's come here and made a great impact across a number of threads, hooked a whole lot of fools andstirred some good shit. Well done to him, and those who are getting fired up at him only have themselves to blame.

You're kidding. True mastery of trolling is starting yet another thread about Jackson f'ing Bird. This thread's on its 5th page, Ray's just a few nibbles.

 

[BennyV]

You're kidding. True mastery of trolling is starting yet another thread about Jackson f'ing Bird. This thread's on its 5th page, Ray's just a few nibbles.

I'm not saying he's an artist (he's definitely Taken hints from 'Trolling for Dummies') but he's hardly copped only a few nibbles. Clowns are blowing up at him. The quality of the reaction to a troll would be just as satisfying as the quantity, and Ray has attracted some solid whinges.

 

[Walpole]

I'm not saying he's an artist (he's definitely Taken hints from 'Trolling for Dummies') but he's hardly copped only a few nibbles. Clowns are blowing up at him. The quality of the reaction to a troll would be just as satisfying as the quantity, and Ray has attracted some solid whinges.

Haha, I'll take your word for it. I guess I've been lucky enough to zone out once I see Ray Hadleys ugly mug pop up.

 

[Old Timer]

Benny V
For some responding to Ray is like a game of cat and mouse.
It is a matter of perspective as to who is the cat.
I for one find it amusing especially when he makes blunders in his posts and the quality of some responses to him are a crack up.
If he gets pleasure out of it I just hope he has enough bandaids to put over his knuckles while he is jerking off under the desk.
Maybe some of us are guilty of trolling the troll.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

Alright guys, how about this..
Would you let Dugan go to sign Jack Bird?
If Dugan leaves then Bird could pretty much just slot straight into Dugan's contract value. Plenty of young backs coming through to cover centre and Dufty will slot into fullback.
However, if we lose Dugan we're losing an international quality player of the highest calibre.

Food for thought.

 

[Old Timer]

Alright guys, how about this..
Would you let Dugan go to sign Jack Bird?
If Dugan leaves then Bird could pretty much just slot straight into Dugan's contract value. Plenty of young backs coming through to cover centre and Dufty will slot into fullback.
However, if we lose Dugan we're losing an international quality player of the highest calibre.

Food for thought.

Thank god I'm on a diet.
Dugan wants to be a Dragon and Bird left the Dragons to get a start.
No contest.
By the way how many times has it happened successfully that a player left a club and upon returning he went on to a stellar career.
I know Gasnier came back and helped immensely in 2010 but he did cut short his contract to the detriment of the club.

 

[2010]

If duges goes then it would be smart to go after Bird, one thing I remember it was said that Cronulla is paying for his injections or whatever and we didn't, that's bullshit saints were paying for his care before he left

 

[Old Timer]

If duges goes then it would be smart to go after Bird, one thing I remember it was said that Cronulla is paying for his injections or whatever and we didn't, that's bullshit saints were paying for his care before he left

Your analogy is correct but the question is
Would you let Dugan go to get Bird?

 

[Turk]

I would be willing to give up Dugan for Bird. Talent wise they are both guns but Bird is only 21 and its scary how good he could be. Not only can Bird play fullback and centre like Dugan but he can also play in the halves. I would love to see a halves pairing of Bird and Hunt.

 

[Arnold]

Also if

consider Benjis contract gone at $550k
consider Widdops contract gone at $550k
consider Dugans contract slightly reduced from $750k to $550k
consider Mathews, Marketo and possibly JDB gone for a collective $700k
and some how u have squeezed out $2M of which $1M has gone to Hunt and there's enough for at least amother marquee at $750k a season,, if Bird does come he would come as either a centre or lock unless Field fails to adapt at all over next 12 months he will then fit in into 5/8..

But you have just removed 6 players.... replaced with 1. You still have to replace 5 more. Not to mention upgrades to existing contracted players.

 

[giboz71]

Your analogy is correct but the question is
Would you let Dugan go to get Bird?

If healthy, getting Bird back to partner Hunt would be an absolute no-brainer. As a rookie, was instrumental in dragging the Sharks from the spoon the year before, to within a game of the top 4 the next year (if I remember correctly, he single handedly won a game against the Roosters which started their run for that year). Then last year, he got an Origin jersey and was one of the best players in the GF. Has achieved more in 2 years than most players 5-10 years his senior.

If Duges doesn't re-sign, he'd be the one I'd be targeting (along with Elgey). Use the Sharks blueprint where a new set of halves leads us to a comp.

 

[BennyV]

If healthy, getting Bird back to partner Hunt would be an absolute no-brainer. As a rookie, was instrumental in dragging the Sharks from the spoon the year before, to within a game of the top 4 the next year (if I remember correctly, he single handedly won a game against the Roosters which started their run for that year). Then last year, he got an Origin jersey and was one of the best players in the GF. Has achieved more in 2 years than most players 5-10 years his senior.

If Duges doesn't re-sign, he'd be the one I'd be targeting (along with Elgey). Use the Sharks blueprint where a new set of halves leads us to a comp.

Why Elgey? Weve already got Hunt, and Bird is a better fit at 5/8, no need for amother big dollar half...

 

[BennyV]

Keepin mind, of we are following the Sharks blueprint (or basically any premiership team since 2011 except Roosters 2013) of a new halves pairing, we need to look closely at the balance of halves. All teams had a halfback that controlled the team and a running 5/8 that could chime in and create when necessary. They also had 1 established, 'dominant' half and 1 half who was lower profile (Townsend barely cracked Warriors first grade, Morgan was a decent fullback, Keary was a rookie in 2014, Widdop wasnt fully established in 2012, DCE was a rookie in 2011), otherwise it gets difficult to balance the rest of the team, salary cap wise (ensuring you have dominating forwards, strike centres, decents hooker and FB, etc).

Weve got 1 big piece in Hunt - a high profile, dominant 7 who can lead the team around the park and create. His partner doesnt need to be a star or even a properly established player, just someone who can chime in as a foil, create opportunities where possible and fill the gaps. We know Widdop can do that, but we may not be able to afford him next year. 2017 should be used to see if someone like Mann or Nona have it in them to fill those gaps, otherwise we look elsewhere at creative, running 5/8s who wont cost the world.

Of course, premiership teams are also controlled by a coach with actual brain cells, but that's another matter entirely.