Jack Bird

[Dragsters]

No big macs on Jack.....great to see

Yep, he looks ripped!

Good on him...

 

[Dragsters]

BIRD PREPARES FOR POSITIONAL SWITCH

New Dragons recruit Jack Bird is keen to click the reset button on his career and it looks like that will involve a new position.

Bird was tipped to play lock in 2021 — a position he’s been keen to play ever since he first joined the Broncos in 2018 — however Wide World of Sports reports the 25-year-old has been training on an edge.

“Jack has the makings of a top back-rower. He may start the year in the backs but we see him as a very dangerous edge runner,” a Dragons source told WWOS.

NRL 2021: pre-season training updates, Tesi Niu at centre, Brisbane Broncos, Kotoni Staggs injury, Kevin Walters, Melbourne Storm captain, Cameron Smith, Ryan Papenhuyzen | Fox Sports

I'm very interested to see which backline position Bird will occupy before moving to the right edge.

Left centre I reckon...

 

[BLM01]

Left centre I reckon...

Very warm.. there or 1 position inside in the backrow as the article says
Just maybe could swap with Sims for right edge in time.

 

[BLM01]

Shiny and new: Every club's best recruit for 2021
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter

Whether they be a young prospect or a hardened veteran, it's always exciting when a player joins a new club.

An astute signing or two can often drastically change a club's fortunes, making the recruitment manager's job crucial.

There's been a flurry of movement over the summer, and as season 2021 draws nearer, NRL.com has named each team's key recruit.

Some will quickly become cornerstones in their fresh surroundings, while others may bide their time before showing their worth.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Jack Bird
It's easy to forget Jack Bird's immense talent given injuries restricted him to 17 games in three years for the Broncos. Turning 26 in March, with some much-deserved luck the versatile Bird's best days are yet to come - a scary thought considering he's already won a premiership and played for NSW. Back at his junior club, he is a true wildcard.

Others: Poasa Faamausili (Roosters), Daniel Alvaro (Eels)

Dragons recruit Jack Bird.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/22/shiny-and-new-every-clubs-best-recruit-for-2021/

Thanks 86
But in fairness when they came to be reviewing the Dragons best recruit
They would of thought “what do we do here” who do they have we can talk up and make it sound exciting for the article.
But our club certainly wasn’t alone for the journos to make that decision
When you look at it I think our recruitment is not the worst in the comp

 

[getsmarty]

Thanks 86
But in fairness when they came to be reviewing the Dragons best recruit
They would of thought “what do we do here” who do they have we can talk up and make it sound exciting for the article.
But our club certainly wasn’t alone for the journos to make that decision
When you look at it I think our recruitment is not the worst in the comp

I believe that Griffin knows what he wants and will not sign players for the sake of filling the roster....that is why we knocked back a number of players. Looking at players for next year is also under way.
Have a great day.

 

[SnowDragon]

Anyone know how much the Broncos are paying Saints to take Bird on? It seems a huge risk to me with his injury history. Only someone signing James was more surprising. Good luck though! When he was fit he looked awesome, but that was so long ago!

ive really been warming up to Jack coming back. Sure it’s a risk, and I am unaware of the financial terms (so hard to judge the smarts of it) but we can afford to take slowly and back him to play at his best. All about attitude for me

 

[goldiesaintz]

ive really been warming up to Jack coming back. Sure it’s a risk, and I am unaware of the financial terms (so hard to judge the smarts of it) but we can afford to take slowly and back him to play at his best. All about attitude for me

............and some luck health wise.
Yes, if he can stay on the paddock, that will be great.
If he can be great on the paddock, that will be a bonus for everyone.

 

[blacksafake]

If he can stay on the paddock then in all likelihood he will be the signing of the season.

 

[Disillusioned Tiger]

If he can stay on the paddock then in all likelihood he will be the signing of the season.

I just hope he gets on the paddock this year!

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


Bouncing back: How Bird's grounded career can take off again
Author
Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 28 Jan 2021, 12:00 PM
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In the first in a series of articles on players aiming for a bounce-back year in 2021, Troy Whittaker details the key areas for Dragons recruit Jack Bird in his bid to return to his best.

He's a premiership winner, NSW State of Origin representative, and six seasons into his NRL career - and is only 25 years old.

Jack Bird's body has let him down for the past three seasons, but the utility's talent and resume are undeniable.

The Dragons recruit played just 17 games after joining Brisbane from Cronulla in 2018 - and didn't set foot on the field at all last year - with a sternum and two serious knee injuries consigning him to the background following a blazing 66-match start to the first three seasons of his first-grade career.

He may have been out of sight, out of mind for some fans, but Bird could be a defining signing by St George Illawarra if he can stay fit and recapture the form of his Sharks days.

Coming up to two years since he last played football, new Dragons coach Anthony Griffin is prepared to be cautious with Bird, who is back training with the main group ahead of February's trials.

Bird has been touted to slot into in the back-row, where he starred for St George Illawarra in the under-20s, and is training with the forwards - though a specific role has not been confirmed.

Regarded as an "out and out footy player" rather than a modern-day athlete who specialises in a particular position, where Bird plays may not matter as much as how involved he is in the Dragons' matches.

He is contracted to his junior club until 2022 after having been granted an early release by the Broncos.

When he was at his best in his three-year Sharks stint, Bird possessed an X-factor that made him dangerous anywhere on the field.

Capable of beating opponents with strength and footwork or setting up others with slick skills, Bird was also a reliable one-on-one defender.

But in his first season at Brisbane, Bird's fitness was questioned and his work rate went down. Just as he looked to be returning to top gear in 2019, injury robbed him of the chance to continue his rise.

As a Shark, he averaged more than 23 touches in possession per game but at the Broncos, that dipped to just 16.7.

Statistical peak
Announcing himself as a player to watch when he helped Cronulla reach the final of the 2015 NRL Nines in Auckland, Bird became the team's first-choice five-eighth that year, scoring two tries in his starting NRL debut against the Roosters in round four.

Bird posted strong numbers in his maiden NRL campaign, scoring eight tries and assisting another seven in the No.6 jersey.

A running playmaker, he averaged 75 metres per game but was no liability in defence with an 88.22% tackle efficiency rate. The Sharks reached the second week of the finals that year.

Moved to centre in 2016 to accommodate the arrival of James Maloney, there was no second-year syndrome for Bird. He averaged more metres (111.5) as Cronulla won their first title, toughing it out in the grand final against Melbourne despite a hyperextended elbow.

Bird earned a NSW call-up in '16, playing off the bench in games two and three of the series defeat. He played all three matches for the Blues the following year as they again went down to Queensland.

Managing a shoulder injury in the closing rounds of 2017, Bird again made the finals with Cronulla and elevated his yardage game (113m), though his tackle efficiency rate continued to decline (76.18%).

Terribly bad luck
Heralded as a key signing for Brisbane under coach Wayne Bennett, Bird's time at Red Hill started controversially as the Broncos claimed the Sharks didn't disclose the full extent of his shoulder injury.

He had surgery in November 2017 and had to wait until round three of 2018 to turn out for his new club, with some questioning his fitness as his statistical output markedly shrunk. A sternum problem ended his season after eight games.

Bird began 2019 in fine touch at centre, with talk of an Origin recall gaining volume as his numbers trended upwards. However, an ACL injury put him back on the sidelines after nine rounds.

The Berkeley Eagles junior was training impressively leading into the 2020 season as he prepared for a tilt at fullback, only for another knee injury to keep him in rehab for the whole season.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/202...how-birds-grounded-career-can-take-off-again/

 

[SIR LANCELOT]

Wishing Jack Bird all the best for his comeback game to the Dragons.Good luck Jack and hope that all goes well for you and the Dragons in 2021 and beyond.
Lancelot.

 

[goldiesaintz]

Wishing Jack Bird all the best for his comeback game to the Dragons.Good luck Jack and hope that all goes well for you and the Dragons in 2021 and beyond.
Lancelot.

Keep up those good comments and there will be a knighthood in it for you.......
oh...... sorry, l see your already been to see her Majesty.

As you were.

 

[SIR LANCELOT]

Keep up those good comments and there will be a knighthood in it for you.......
oh...... sorry, l see your already been to see her Majesty.

As you were.

Is !@×£&# for real.Where did he drop in from.Not a full quid it seems.

 

[getsmarty]

Bird eyes centres after Dragons comeback

• National Sport
  
  
  
  Jack Bird has played 25 minutes in St George Illawarra's 28-6 NRL trial loss to Parramatta.
  Jack Bird wants to make his NRL return at left centre for St George Illawarra after getting through his first match in almost 12 months unscathed.
  
  Bird played 25 minutes as planned in the Dragons' 28-6 pre-season loss to Parramatta, but crucially left the ground with no concerns over his knee.
  
  The 25-year-old has not played an NRL match since May 2019 at Brisbane, before missing the rest of that season with a sternum injury.
  
  He returned in one trial at fullback for Brisbane last February, but went down on the eve of the first round with a second ACL injury in three years.
  
  Bird has mostly trained in the second row at the Dragons, but told coach Anthony Griffin last week he would rather ease back to match fitness at centre.
  
  The move has also coincided with the club's decision not to pursue Israel Folau, leaving Brayden Wiliame as the other option at left centre.
  
  "I told Hook (Anthony Griffin) I would rather play centre," Bird said.
  
  "He asked why and I said I had played centre at the Sharks for two years and got used to it and moulded myself to it.
  
  "It's probably too early for me to jump in the middle.
  
  "Hook was trying to help my knee out a bit by (not) doing lateral movements and steps (in the middle), but I'm not much of a stepper anyway.
  
  "That might come one day when I get a bit of confidence in my knees."
  
  Bird expects to play more there in next week's Charity Shield, but his brief involvements were promising on Thursday night at Kogarah.
  
  He laid on a break in the lead up to the Dragons' only try, forcing an error with a hard hit before putting Mat Feagai down field with a slick underarm pass.
  
  Fellow new recruit Andrew McCullough also got through 20 minutes without concern, in his first game back since a hamstring tendon rupture last July.
  
  Will Smith impressed for Parramatta, scoring one try and setting up another in his push for the club's No.14 jersey before the match was called with 11 minutes to go.
  
  Oregon Kaufusi also scored one try and Isaiah Papalii was also powerful, with both sides running teams of players who had limited first-grade exposure last year.
  
  In the only real injury concern, Eels recruit Michael Oldfield suffered a knee injury after just 12 minutes which could hurt his push to claim a centre spot.
  
  Australian Associated Press
  
  https://www.portnews.com.au/story/7133530/bird-eyes-centres-after-dragons-comeback/
  

 

[possm]

Well, in a major shift, it seems Bird will be selected at left centre (4). A great move which will ensure our left winger will be given every opportunity to score tries. He will also receive good direction from Bird in defence. So with Bird feeding the left wing and Lomax feeding the right wing, we should be in good shape to score tries out wide in 2021.

In my view the starting wingers will be JP and Ravalawa. There will be plenty of pressure from CC to keep these two honest.

Now if this works a treat, and I'm sure it will, then my suggestion is to select Kerr as our right edge forward and Ford as backrow replacement on the bench.

Griffin still needs to consider who will be in the prop rotation. In my opinion it will be Vaughan, Faamausili, Alvaro and Lawrie. I'd say the new forward Hunt, has impressed and will most likely be given the 13 jumper. Let's hope he is a good defender and can play long minutes.

My bench would now be Wishart, Alvaro, Lawrie and Ford.

 

[redv13]

Well, in a major shift, it seems Bird will be selected at left centre (4). A great move which will ensure our left winger will be given every opportunity to score tries. He will also receive good direction from Bird in defence. So with Bird feeding the left wing and Lomax feeding the right wing, we should be in good shape to score tries out wide in 2021.

In my view the starting wingers will be JP and Ravalawa. There will be plenty of pressure from CC to keep these two honest.

Now if this works a treat, and I'm sure it will, then my suggestion is to select Kerr as our right edge forward and Ford as backrow replacement on the bench.

Griffin still needs to consider who will be in the prop rotation. In my opinion it will be Vaughan, Faamausili, Alvaro and Lawrie. I'd say the new forward Hunt, has impressed and will most likely be given the 13 jumper. Let's hope he is a good defender and can play long minutes.

My bench would now be Wishart, Alvaro, Lawrie and Ford.

No offence possm but Wishart is no where near ready for 1st grade. Just my opinion

 

[possm]

No offence possm but Wishart is no where near ready for 1st grade. Just my opinion

And neither are any of the alternative hookers in the Club. So, lets blood Wishart for 2022 and beyond. He will learn an awful lot being in the hooker rotation with McCullough. It is mainly his defence that has to be worked on and I'm sure Griffin is aware of this.

 

[BLM01]

Well, in a major shift, it seems Bird will be selected at left centre (4). A great move which will ensure our left winger will be given every opportunity to score tries. He will also receive good direction from Bird in defence. So with Bird feeding the left wing and Lomax feeding the right wing, we should be in good shape to score tries out wide in 2021.

In my view the starting wingers will be JP and Ravalawa. There will be plenty of pressure from CC to keep these two honest.

Now if this works a treat, and I'm sure it will, then my suggestion is to select Kerr as our right edge forward and Ford as backrow replacement on the bench.

Griffin still needs to consider who will be in the prop rotation. In my opinion it will be Vaughan, Faamausili, Alvaro and Lawrie. I'd say the new forward Hunt, has impressed and will most likely be given the 13 jumper. Let's hope he is a good defender and can play long minutes.

My bench would now be Wishart, Alvaro, Lawrie and Ford.

I think you will find Fui in there somwehere ...and maybe even Sullivan too!
Ford has disappointed me for some time in defence including reggies. He might run good lines on an edge but to me there are others like Fui in front of him ATM.

 

[Miller was a legend]

Go Jack!

2016 played out the game with a stuffed arm.

forever a hero in my eyes, no matter where he plays

 

[BLM01]

Go Jack!

2016 played out the game with a stuffed arm.

forever a hero in my eyes, no matter where he plays

You know..like Bird or not.. or
Whether people think he is a risky dud signing..or not
For me..Bird has 3 things in addition to his skinny legs
Mongrel, X-Factor and game smarts / raw natural ability
Sure injury is a risk to all just like Cam's knees but if Bird stays on field he is a huge + for the Dragons.