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A FURIOUS Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has unloaded on Queensland media for “rubbish” speculation surrounding Jack Bird’s NRL future.
And the Sharks mentor took a return swipe at Brisbane counterpart Wayne Bennett, who got involved in the rumours of a potential contract backflip when speaking to the Courier Mail.
The suggestion Bird is considering backflipping on his lucrative Broncos deal to stay in the Shire have been doing the rounds for the past week.
His father Mick and Brisbane coach Bennett both hosed down the speculation on Wednesday, while also taking a dig at the 2016 premiers for their supposed treatment of the young Origin star.
Flanagan didn’t hold back when asked about the reports at his press conference on Thursday.
“I think it’s terrible, he’s shattered today, Jack,” Flanagan said.
“A young bloke to make a decision to move from a club that he made his debut (at), was rookie of the year, where he won a grand final ... it’s a tough decision.
“He went over it for three months and he decided to go to Brisbane, and we’re supporting him in that.
“There’s no one in this place that is trying to coerce or change Jack’s mind. We’re trying to help him through these tough times.
“At different stages, week to week, Jack has second thoughts. But that’s just a young bloke, and that’s just natural that we all have.
“He’ll be at Brisbane next year, no doubt about it.
“All the talk over the border that he’s backflipping in one column and then he’s unhappy in the next, I just don’t get it.
“Stop the rubbish from the other side of the border. He’ll be there next year.
“But he’s a special player and he’ll hold a special part of this club’s history, and we treat him like everyone else.
“That’s why he has some of these moments, but any young bloke would struggle with some of those decisions that he’s made, and that’s fine.
“We’ll be looking after him, treating his injuries and sending him up there as a grand final winning player.”
Flanagan was asked about Bennett’s recent comments surrounding Bird’s pending arrival at Red Hill, where the Broncos coach suggested the talented centre had been stifled by the Sharks’ game plan.
Bennett also took a shot at the “scaremongering” tactics of people south of the Tweed, referring to the backflip rumours.
Flanagan was blunt.
“Couldn’t give a damn what Wayne says, seriously,” he said.
“All the rubbish that he’s going to enjoy it more up there, all that stuff, I just don’t get it.
“He can do what he likes. It doesn’t interest me.
“Whatever he’s saying, I don’t read it, I don’t listen to it.”
The ugly episode provides an interesting sidenote to Friday night’s blockbuster clash between Brisbane and Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.
While Bird will miss the game through a shoulder injury, Thursday’s press conferences ensure there will be plenty of feeling between the clubs.
And the Sharks mentor took a return swipe at Brisbane counterpart Wayne Bennett, who got involved in the rumours of a potential contract backflip when speaking to the Courier Mail.
The suggestion Bird is considering backflipping on his lucrative Broncos deal to stay in the Shire have been doing the rounds for the past week.
His father Mick and Brisbane coach Bennett both hosed down the speculation on Wednesday, while also taking a dig at the 2016 premiers for their supposed treatment of the young Origin star.
Flanagan didn’t hold back when asked about the reports at his press conference on Thursday.
“I think it’s terrible, he’s shattered today, Jack,” Flanagan said.
“A young bloke to make a decision to move from a club that he made his debut (at), was rookie of the year, where he won a grand final ... it’s a tough decision.
“He went over it for three months and he decided to go to Brisbane, and we’re supporting him in that.
“There’s no one in this place that is trying to coerce or change Jack’s mind. We’re trying to help him through these tough times.
“At different stages, week to week, Jack has second thoughts. But that’s just a young bloke, and that’s just natural that we all have.
“He’ll be at Brisbane next year, no doubt about it.
“All the talk over the border that he’s backflipping in one column and then he’s unhappy in the next, I just don’t get it.
“Stop the rubbish from the other side of the border. He’ll be there next year.
“But he’s a special player and he’ll hold a special part of this club’s history, and we treat him like everyone else.
“That’s why he has some of these moments, but any young bloke would struggle with some of those decisions that he’s made, and that’s fine.
“We’ll be looking after him, treating his injuries and sending him up there as a grand final winning player.”
Flanagan was asked about Bennett’s recent comments surrounding Bird’s pending arrival at Red Hill, where the Broncos coach suggested the talented centre had been stifled by the Sharks’ game plan.
Bennett also took a shot at the “scaremongering” tactics of people south of the Tweed, referring to the backflip rumours.
Flanagan was blunt.
“Couldn’t give a damn what Wayne says, seriously,” he said.
“All the rubbish that he’s going to enjoy it more up there, all that stuff, I just don’t get it.
“He can do what he likes. It doesn’t interest me.
“Whatever he’s saying, I don’t read it, I don’t listen to it.”
The ugly episode provides an interesting sidenote to Friday night’s blockbuster clash between Brisbane and Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.
While Bird will miss the game through a shoulder injury, Thursday’s press conferences ensure there will be plenty of feeling between the clubs.
