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El Diablo

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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-heart-to-leave-cronulla-20170322-gv3xu0.html

Jack Bird: 'It would break my heart to leave Cronulla'
In-demand Jack Bird admits it would "break my heart" to leave Cronulla but is seriously weighing up that prospect with the red carpet being rolled out for him elsewhere.

The entry of Parramatta, who have joined Newcastle among the Sharks premiership winner's suitors, into the marketplace only further complicates the major decision that is looming for the 22-year-old to make in the coming weeks.

The Eels, who see Bird principally as a lock forward, have the resources to match the $900,000 a season the Knights are tempting him with. That dwarfs the $2 million over three years that the Sharks are said to have offered the NSW State of Origin player.

Bird is on record saying that determining his future is as much about opportunity – as in, the position he is playing – as it is money, and with places in the halves and at fullback tied up at Cronulla the cash lobbed at him by Parramatta will be difficult to ignore.

"I'm not quite sure what I'm going to be doing next year," Bird said. "Obviously I want to stay at the Sharks. I love the club, I love the place and fingers crossed I stay here but we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

"It's a big decision. I made a new home here at the Sharks and if I was to leave it would break my heart. I want to stay here but it comes down to what's best for myself and my family."

The Sharks' efforts to retain off-contract Bird may be hurt by the fact they have already re-signed fullback Valentine Holmes to a two-year extension, are likely to have to spend handsomely on captain-in-waiting Wade Graham, whose deal is also up at the end of the season, and could still hand long-time leader Paul Gallen one more year.

Bird started at fullback against the Dragons on Sunday night in Holmes' first game back from injury but the latter is likely to reclaim that position once he's fully settled back into the top grade.

It is clear the Blues star does not see himself as a centre in the long run, though, and that will be central to his decision. Parramatta don't plan on playing him in the halves – they are happy with the progress of Clint Gutherson as Corey Norman's offsider – but he would still see plenty of the ball at lock.

"In recent interviews obviously I've said I want to be around the ball a lot more. It pretty much comes down to position-wise where I'm happy. I'm happy here obviously but I think I'd be a lot more happier if I'm around the ball," Bird said.

"Obviously you've got to set yourself up money-wise. It's just a hard decision for me to make. I think about it a lot but I try and concentrate on the games. When it happens it happens.

"If you're head is somewhere else you're not going to play your best footy. If it comes to it then I'm sure I"ll make the right decision. We'll just have to wait and see in the next few weeks."

Bird maintains a decision is not imminent – "It's no rush for me" – and he is in continued discussions about a new deal with the Sharks. "I've still got to go through some things with Cronulla and see what they can do for me," he said.

Coincidentally, Cronulla take on Parramatta at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. If Bird is undecided about his long-term future, what he is certain about is where the Sharks need to improve after not looking like recent premiership winners on Sunday night.

"It all just comes down to attitude, and our attitude wasn't there [against the Dragons]," Bird said. "I'm sure we'll bounce back next against Parramatta. If we don't, it'll be the same score."
 

hindy111

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Dudes who are 'almost 30' are at their peak, have more experience, and tend to provide more leadership than younger dudes. Modern players don't start their decline until their early 30s, and if they were stars in their mid 20s would still be solid first graders by age 33.

IMO

Aome like Cronk, Smith, Thurston sure.
But Hayne isnt even proven in halves and i dont see him having the mentality to control games. He is a fullback who uses speed and agility. And just like brett stewart that goes with age.
A guy like moylan prob plays at same level till 33 but i wouldnt back tedesco to be the same player as they use different strenghts to play the game.

Sometimes the hunger also goes with age. And if Hayne stopped loving the game at 26 what makes you think he will love it at 33.
 

Gary Gutful

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Imagine what a cat Moylan would be at 33??? Considering in his mid 20's he's the biggest cat in the game.
Hey Hiney, did you know that the Panther is not a distinct species itself but is the general name used to refer to any black coloured feline of the Big Catfamily, most notably Leopards and Jaguars.

Oh, and Tigers are bigger cats than Panthers, particularly Siberian Tigers. Those guys are bigger than Lions (which admittedly are in the AFL).

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/panther/
 

Joshuatheeel

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Staff member
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20,182
The bit about him being considered for lock at Parra must be bullshit.

Why? Think he is perfect for that role. Yeah he isn't he biggest forward but he is a very powerful runner of the ball, perfect for taking the 3rd to 5th hit up.

Also with the reduced bench being smaller helps with playing big minutes and being more mobile in defence.

Plus he adds some ball skills to the middle.
 

Gronk

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77,712
And the Penny Panthers are named after the Lithgow Panther cos it is real. Like Bigfoot.

images.jpg
 

El Diablo

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94,107
http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...e/news-story/4f3bf59537074abb42c081b2daf18240

EELS SIGN TEEN TONGUE TWISTER

Rugby league commentators, prepare yourselves!

Parramatta have just signed a 15-year-old Kiwi kid who has one hell of a name: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

According to Fairfax NZ, the young fullback has taken up an academy offer at the Eels that will see him travel across the ditch for two training camps before spending six months in Australia in 2018 for the SG Ball (under 18s) competition.

“It’s pretty overwhelming. At the start it definitely was because I’ve liked the Eels since Jarryd Hayne was playing for them [Hayne left the club in 2014]. It’s just surreal,” Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens said.
 

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