Rumoured Targets 3

[Spot On]

Evans looks like he needs a feed. I dont see much in him.

 

[macavity]

Meanwhile how good was Korbin going before he chipped a nail.

He really is a flat track bully

 

[Pedge1971]

I was stunned he grounded the ball without dropping it for his try. I think the ref must have been too as he sent a pretty simple decision to the video.

 

[Elephant Hunter]

Paul Kent claims that Bird is only being recruited by Newcastle now. On Matty Johns he is saying Newcastle still deny any news but Cronulla have said he is gone.

Sounds very much like what happened with Ponga

 

[PhilGould]

Kent also hinted we're chasing some big name forwards, I imagine Graham is one of them.

 

[Elephant Hunter]

Kent also hinted we're chasing some big name forwards, I imagine Graham is one of them.

We can hope so

 

[Caped Crusader]

Tyler Cornish just got let go by the Titans

Decent young half/fullback. Might be worth a small contract given our halves depth is shit

 

[K-Man]

As much as I don't want to get too excited and be disappointed, couldn't help watch some Bird highlights to remind myself of what he's capable of. Wow, he really is a talent.

So much to like, but what I particularly enjoyed seeing was his 3 try assists with kicks. That at least shows there is some form of kicking game, and he would only get better with time and practice as a full-time half. I think some people are worried we'd be trusting an out and out ball runner to play 6, but from what I've seen Bird is an out and out footballer full stop. He plays the game quicker than anyone we have at the moment, and makes it look easy.

- 2015 playing mostly at 6.

- 2016

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

I have been reading the sharks forum about bird And a lot of sharks fans basically think he's not a halves asshole. Apparently has a limited kicking and passing game and not worth the money we are offering.

Do we just write this opinion off as saltiness and trust the judgement of mooney and brown?

 

[Spot On]

Well atm his best position is right centre but he wants more ball so I'm backing Brown and Mooney and Bird himself to prove everyone wrong. Sharks supporters should be happy if he joins us as there's no way they would want a centre being paid the $$$ they will have to give him if he stays.

Some of the blokes in the Sharks forum think paying 2 blokes in the spine a combined 1.5 million is ludicrous. Now I'll agree that Bird/Ponga is an unknown and untested quantity but ffs have a look at what the 2 highest paid spine players at each club will be on next year and the year after.

Unfortunately it's insane money and completely out of control but with very few traditional play makers in rugby league anymore and even fewer of a decent standard, the influx of TV dollars currently allows massive overs to be paid to take a punt on a player who may turn out to be very good.

I think its a great time to take a punt as well because the truly great spine players of our game are all close to the end of their careers. Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Slater are all close to the end and hopefully we have secured some of the next best, young talent that eventually take the place of the current rep stars.

I mean, which young talent would you chase hard and pay massive overs overs for now in the hope they develop into a truly great play maker??? I think Ash Taylor and Cleary would be on the list. But outside of them atm I'm not fussed on any of them. Keary at least has some skills and toughness. He looks alright too.

 

[K-Man]

I have been reading the sharks forum about bird And a lot of sharks fans basically think he's not a halves asshole. Apparently has a limited kicking and passing game and not worth the money we are offering.

Do we just write this opinion off as saltiness and trust the judgement of mooney and brown?

I would say that opinion also stems from a direct comparison with Maloney. It's easy to find faults in a player when you're used to watching a team that is dominant across the park. Bird would immediately be the best player in our team no matter what position he played. Basically, Sharks fans have had it too good the last few years. Bird can absolutely succeed at 6.

It also depends what you're looking for in a half. I don't think you necessarily need two pure ballplayers at 6 and 7. Plenty of very successful teams have used a 6 that's a bit more of a runner of the football. If Shaun Timmins can play 6 in Origin, Jack Bird can do it at club level.

That said, I actually get the impression there is plenty more to Bird's game still to come. He has been unbelievable in the NRL for a guy his age.

The big advantage for a player like him, who is so dangerous running the ball, is that defenders will almost always be thinking about tackling him as their number one priority. That creates opportunities for players inside and outside, and he only needs to have a decent pass and football nous (which he does) to take advantage. He doesn't need to be prodigious ball player, because he creates space simply by being so dangerous himself.

We desperately need a player who makes things happen inside the opposition 20, and Bird does that.

 

[slotmachine]

We're used to halves who don't kick.

You can count the current/recent rep players the knights have signed in their history on one hand (BK, Ben Cross, Darius, Beau Scott, Hodko). There should be zero complaints about picking up a 21 year old current origin player, especially after two spoons.

 

[BuderusIsaBeast]

I think Bird played his best footy at 6 in 2015. I think he will be fantastic for us and his talent and comeptitivness mke his contract worth it. To grab Ponga and Bird would be an epic recruitment drive

 

[Miller was a legend]

I think Bird played his best footy at 6 in 2015. I think he will be fantastic for us and his talent and comeptitivness mke his contract worth it. To grab Ponga and Bird would be an epic recruitment drive

No he didn't. He played his best footy last year at Centre.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Just to counteract some of the Sharks talk fellas, we know he is an extremely talented player and will be a champion.
He will be a good 5/8 but he is not of the Maloney class yet, and Jimmy has a few more years left in him (if we can keep him).
Bird is a footballer, probably his most natural position would be that of an old style lock. Unfortunately in the Sharks system that is occupied by a third prop, so Bird has no position there.
In reality it has come down to dollars, and we cannot afford what the Knights are willing to pay. Thats the nature of the salary cap, the NRL and a premiership winning team.
For the person who said that they'd trust Brown and Mooney over some supporters, that may be the case but I'd trust Flanno's decision above those two, and if he cant fit him in the system then we will move forward another way.
Last thing,
If Bird comes to the Knights you have a great player.

 

[Spot On]

Very good points bbb.

However, as you said, with Maloney there Flanno can not justify matching the spend we will to play right centre. I wouldn't be moving Maloney anywhere either and that is best for your team for the near future.

That said, if Bird stays a Shark, he'll be the best paid right centre in the game.

 

[Yosh]

I remember Bird was always one of those players that used to rip us a new one every time we played the Sharks. I hope he does join because the alternatives are not great. Have lots of cap space and no players or just end up upgrading nuffies...

 

[cb4]

Bird is a running 5/8. He is a Josh Reynolds type player.
He played 20 games at 5/8 with us and I can't remember him kicking long once.
His short kicking game is decent, but it is off the cuff and not planned.
If you have a Half Back that supports a runner, which you have, then Bird will be a great addition to you.

He defended well at 5/8, and started off defending well as a centre last year but regressed more as the season went on when teams started targeting him. It wasn't a contact thing, it was more so, reading of the play.

In our forum, you are correct, we don't think he is a halves arsehole, because he isn't really.
My problem for you guys getting Bird, is your team is still incredibly average. ( know we beat you by a point)
Your team needs a 5/8 that can create for players, not just create for himself.
As a 5/8, and our dominant player maker, he didn't create a lot, didn't open a lot of opportunities either.
When the pressure got to him as well, he could hide and fade out of games.

IMO, he is an edge second rower or a centre in the Matt Cooper mold. He is saying he needs more ball but when he gets it he can be a hog.

There is a good side to him.
When he gets the ball, I have never seen a more natural runner of the ball.
He is also very strong, naturally strong. He doesn't have the best physique or a standard NRL players physique, but he can bust and break tackles.

For mine, if you were to sign him for 3 years, you may get off the bottom of the ladder but he won't take you to finals footy.
You will need to get some very good players around him but even still, as a 5/8 with no long kicking game, I still think it will be tough for you and him.

 

[Noname36]

My problem for you guys getting Bird, is your team is still incredibly average. ( know we beat you by a point)

We're well aware however it's getting better and what it is now isn't what it will always be. The club has other targets than just Bird, they've already signed Ponga to give us a bit of x-factor and some extra playmaking from the back and the current squad are all going to be another year older.

There seems to be this sentiment that the Knights are wanting to sign Bird to magically fix all their problems. 110% not the case - he's just one part of the puzzle the club is trying to put together to rebuild itself.

 

[cb4]

We're well aware however it's getting better and what it is now isn't what it will always be. The club has other targets than just Bird, they've already signed Ponga to give us a bit of x-factor and some extra playmaking from the back and the current squad are all going to be another year older.

There seems to be this sentiment that the Knights are wanting to sign Bird to magically fix all their problems. 110% not the case - he's just one part of the puzzle the club is trying to put together to rebuild itself.

Agree. But investing 1.5mil a year on two kids isn't the right thing to do IMO.