Jack bird??

[Dragons 09]

Too me it is sad to see Bird in this position and Euan going. They played juniors together for the Dragons both were destined to be stars I thought.

Bird should join the Warriors then and they can reunite. As long as they are with another club, i am happy for them both.

 

[DragonInTheInnerWest]

Would be worth a punt if Clear of injury and if the Broncos picked up a fair bit of his salary.

 

[RedVDave]

Busted, over the hill, lazy, bad attitude not wanted by a cellar dweller club ...yep it's a Dragons signing alright.

 

[Dragons4me]

No thanks to Jack Bird. It's not his fault he's had so many injuries and I hope things work out for him. But time to be bold and give some of the young guys a run.

 

[DragonInTheInnerWest]

Still only 25 so that’s hardly over the hill. Also, his injuries have been a variety of things, not a chronic or problem area necessarily. If the Broncos carried some of his salary he could prove to be a good signing. Flanagan took him to a premiership so there’s a proven track record there. Frankly, even if he were to play centre he’d be a marked upgrade on Aitken.

 

[SAP58]

I say no ! I am still bitter at how he left us last time. He shows no loyalty, if he did sign and had a good year he would leave again to the highest bidder !

 

[Jersey No 14]

No - Not on your Nelly

 

[George Dragon]

BIRD’S RADLEY ROLE
Telegraph story.

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin is ready to give Jack Bird the chance to emulate the success of Victor Radley and Cameron Murray by starting him at lock when the season begins.

Bird’s recent career has been beset with injuries but he has enjoyed his first off-season in a long time and his reward will be the chance to find a permanent home in the back row.

Bird would seem an ideal fit for the lock position, which has seemingly become even more valuable under the changes to the rules in recent seasons.

Radley and Murray are the archetypal players in the 13 jersey and Bird offers a similar skill set that could allow him to flourish in the role.

He would also benefit from finding a permanent home, having spent much of his career moving between centre, five-eighth and the back row.

“With Jack, I have had a couple of good chats with him over the offseason,” Griffin said.

“I would say (he will play) somewhere around the ball, in the back row. Last year he was just doing rehab on his knee and he didn’t do much.

“This year will be his first real offseason for four or five years.”

Pressed on whether he could see Bird playing lock, Griffin said: “Probably around there — bit like a Radley, Murray type of player.

Jack Bird is likely to play lock next season. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

“He can play six as well, which with our young halves there might be a point in the season where we need to throw him in there for a couple of weeks or so.

“Mainly we will be looking at him in that lock area.”

Bird entered the final year of his deal on November 1 and is free to begin talks with rival clubs about the 2023 season. However, it is understood the Dragons have indicated they are keen to keep him and talks have begun between the club and Bird’s camp.

The former NSW player is coming off a solid return to the Dragons, having finally put his injury woes behind him. His talent is without question. His achilles heel has been injury in recent seasons but there is genuine hope at the Dragons that he has put that in the past.

He will be a key figure this season, albeit in a side that has significantly strengthened over the off-season with the likes of George Burgess, Aaron Woods, Francis Molo and Jaydn Su’A.

“We didn’t have any (middle forwards) last year,” Griffin said in relation to the signing of Burgess, Woods and Molo.

“We had Vaughany (Paul Vaughan) and then he left. Jack was underdone. Blake Lawrie is a good tough kid but we just didn’t have anything around him to help him.

“We stocked up well there and did it well with the cap.”

 

[TomRedVRiver]

It's the right move. He needs to be on the ball and he's aggressive enough to match it physically with the middle forwards.

It also allows us to play JDB at prop to partner Molo and not start with Lawrie or Woods.

 

[st.phil]

makes sense with his frame and energy - w JDB and Molo certain starters, when fit we'll have two bench prop spots fought out b/w burgess, lawrie, woods, kerr, alvaro, poasa, alvaro, and mcguire when back from suspension.

 

[Dragonslayer]

It will be interesting to see where both 'Jacks' play next year.

The article sort of flip-flops, is he playing second row or is he playing lock? Griffin certainly isnt going to let the world know this early.

It also wouldn't surprise me if Bird played from the bench covering both positions as a high impact player.

 

[Gareth67]

It will be interesting to see where both 'Jacks' play next year.

The article sort of flip-flops, is he playing second row or is he playing lock? Griffin certainly isnt going to let the world know this early.

It also wouldn't surprise me if Bird played from the bench covering both positions as a high impact player.

Agree D.S. , that would the better option rather than having J.D.B. playing at prop . Griffin has bought plenty of big boys for the bookends , we need De Belin in the second row or at lock .

 

[denis preston]

“We didn’t have any (middle forwards) last year,” Griffin said in relation to the signing of Burgess, Woods and Molo.

“We had Vaughany (Paul Vaughan) and then he left. Jack was underdone. Blake Lawrie is a good tough kid but we just didn’t have anything around him to help him.

“

Wow, threw a few players under the bus there didn't he ! How refreshing is it to have your coach pick up the bleeding obvious of what is wrong with the side and acting on it !

 

[Walpole]

Wow, threw a few players under the bus there didn't he ! How refreshing is it to have your coach pick up the bleeding obvious of what is wrong with the side and acting on it !

Almost like he realises he's the coach, not their best mate.

 

[saints4ever]

He's not wrong.

 

[SBD82]

Bird is going to have to significantly improve his defensive technique if he wants to play the role of Murray or Radley. Both are good on the ball, but it’s in defense that they excel.

 

[boardlumps62]

Agree D.S. , that would the better option rather than having J.D.B. playing at prop . Griffin has bought plenty of big boys for the bookends , we need De Belin in the second row or at lock .

Didn't see the best of Jack De Belin this year. Hopefully Hook can utilise his defence and size correctly. From memory has hands as McGregor used him as a Half. Definitely better than a prop.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Jdb for me will stand in the middle in defence - the guy chops down trees and is essential to our middle defence

I suspect like Murray That Birdy may stand wider in defence and middle in attack for some sets

 

[st.phil]

i read somewhere 600k ballpark re-signing ?? thats too much for him imo

 

[redVinme]

i read somewhere 600k ballpark re-signing ?? thats too much for him imo

Yes I think so. Too much based on not having a strong defined role.