We won't take Bird back, say Knights

[aqua_duck]

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...ack-say-knights/2009/01/21/1232471354694.html

Knights chief executive Steve Burraston believes Greg Bird will be preparing in 12 months' time to make an NRL comeback.
But it will not be with Newcastle.
Bird may be a Maitland product who played his junior football with Newcastle through to Jersey Flegg (under-19) level, but the Knights have no intention of offering the former Test star a lifeline after he was sacked last week by the Sharks.
The 24-year-old has signed with English Super League club Bradford this year with an option for a further two seasons.
He could be back in the NRL next year, depending on the outcome of a high-profile court case and whether he is deregistered by NRL officials.
If Bird is legally cleared to continue his career, then Burraston has no doubt some NRL clubs will be willing to take a chance on him.
But Newcastle will be steering well clear.
"We'd have no interest in him," Burraston said yesterday.
"We have set a code of conduct and worked very hard from an administration point of view to change the culture of the place.
"If the alleged stories are correct, he wouldn't suit the culture that we're trying to build at the club."
Burraston said Bird's on-field ability might sway other clubs to overlook his image and reputation, which were tarnished forever after an incident in August when he allegedly glassed his girlfriend, Katie Milligan.
He initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm, which was then downgraded to reckless wounding.
Bird also faces charges of public mischief and providing false information after he allegedly blamed a friend, Brent Watson, for Milligan's injuries. Watson was playing golf at the time.
"I think there will be clubs that will look for a player, even if he's been in a bit of trouble, because they have some deficiency in their club," Burraston said.
"But it's not a direction that we as an organisation want to take.
"We've certainly seen some very good examples overseas where clubs have built themselves around having good community links and players of high ethical standards.
"That's what we're trying to do here."

 

[macavity]

shame.

 

[IanG]

I just wish they'd let him have his day in court. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty?

 

[Joker's Wild]

That concept has been dead for years. Guilty until proven innocent is the norm

 

[antonius]

I just wish they'd let him have his day in court. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty?

Dead right Ian, Burro obviously has him down as guilty.

 

[Spike]

Nope f*ck him, even if he is found to be innocent. The guys a head case and I don't want the Knights to be stuck with him if he goes off the rails.

 

[Pika]

While I tend to agree that these days there is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty.

Lets be honest, his girl didnt glass herself.

And while she still loves him, and does not want him charged, her, and others at the scene, have all made clear statements he did it.

I struggle to find anything she could have done to justify the action.

Still, we should just let it be and drop it until he has had his day in Court.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Lets be honest, his girl didnt glass herself.

Nuff said. Add to that there's a prior case that his going to be answering about assaulting another girl.

His been a mug for years just ask Shane Marteene.

 

[roopy]

Probably the first time he got drunk in public he ran through the grounds of Sports High in the nude and nearly didn't get his HSC - and he was school captain.

I'd take him if he signed the pledge and never had another drink - because he is one of those guys who just can't drink without becoming an arse.

 

[Yosh]

I dont understand how you could still love someone after they glass you in the face...

I'd take him back he is a good good player!!

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

How people could want someone who is clearly a low life in our colours is beyond me.

 

[Big Tim]

shame.

The guy is a genius.

Many people will look past this because he played for Australia.

I have mates that went to school with him, and some of the stories are disgraceful..... I imagine that they might be exaggerating, but stories dont come from nowhere, there has to be some level of truth.

 

[Karmawave]

The writing was on the wall the day Greg Bird defied Knights rules by lining up to play for Maitland Pumpkin Pickers in a local GF when he wasn't meant to, one week before a Knights juniors Grand Final. Knights policy was that all of their reps were not to play for their local teams while still being used by the Knights.

He decides to run half a football field into an all in brawl and proceeds to get suspended in the process and misses the Knights GF.

And hasn't looked back since really...

 

[macavity]

The guy is a genius.

Many people will look past this because he played for Australia.

I have mates that went to school with him, and some of the stories are disgraceful..... I imagine that they might be exaggerating, but stories dont come from nowhere, there has to be some level of truth.

It's a shame he is a genius mate - thats my point. sorry, probably wasn't clear.

 

[Alex28]

I have no problems with this. The Knights are trying to set a certain standard and he doesn't meet it. Pika is dead right - whether he is found guilty or not she didn't glass herself and his mate who he blamed didn't do it either. I don't care how many premierships he could be worth - we don't need him...

 

[Hanscholo]

I just wish they'd let him have his day in court. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty?

He managed to pretty well ruin his presumption rights imo. Just my take on it, Cronulla, NRL and his golfing buddy seem to agree rather strongly. He will have his day in court.

Im kinda in two minds with this statement. Firstly, im glad he wont be coming back, its good to see the club avoiding the blue tac approach with wayward players however talented. On the other hand, does Burro really need to say anything? Has Bird asked to come back? Has his manager mentioned it? Why would we make such a statement given we have nothing against Bird, we dont exactly have a good ground record with these things either. Moreover, reading the story as it was posted on leaguehq, right on top of the Rohan Smith's day in court article. I mean ffs, what was the point? laying down the law to the boys im guessing, that kind of statement has a glorious way of making a fool out of the originator.

 

[Pika]

Not sure Helen. Sounds probable though.

 

[sneaky_is_here]

The guy is a genius.

Many people will look past this because he played for Australia.

I have mates that went to school with him, and some of the stories are disgraceful..... I imagine that they might be exaggerating, but stories dont come from nowhere, there has to be some level of truth.

The NRL is full of geniuss. But as always when you release a genius someone else will sign a genius.

 

[Big Tim]

It's a shame he is a genius mate - thats my point. sorry, probably wasn't clear.

No worries mate, I didnt really read the article.

I put the thread name and your quote together and came up with an answer that seemed rather silly.