By Steve Kaless
November 28th 2009 @ 2:04am
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Who wants Greg Bird?
Greg Bird in action during the NRL Round 24, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Roosters match at Toyota Stadium, on Friday, August 22, 2008. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville
So there you go, I take a few weeks off and suddenly Greg Bird has gone from public enemy number one to one of the most desirable players on the market with clubs queuing for his signature. Who says lawyers are overpaid.
While the legal clearance of Bird does free a talented footballer, he remains a footballer with enormous baggage. Is that the sort of footballer you would want at your club?
When looking for a playmaker, do you go with someone who, rightly or wrongly, has been the pin up for spousal abuse?
It was a thought bouncing around in my head when I read the comments from Mr Gene Washington, the former NFL star, NBC commentator and NFL Director of Operations who addressed the NRL’s annual convention of coaches and CEO’s.
Washington made it clear that clubs needed to be cautious when taking ‘risks’ on players with poor behaviour records:
“Some clubs will want to take risks with players on the edge that may or may not work out.
“But the clubs that stand out as being consistently good are the ones that have strong organisations and that take few risks,” he said.
“A team like the (New England) Patriots has structure that sees people conform from the moment they enter.”
That struck me as a polite way of saying ‘don’t go near them with a barge poll.’
Of course, the theory of having 13 choir boys is a good one but one that doesn’t help if you are propping up the table, fans and sponsors want results. If Ivan Milat could guarantee you victory on Grand Final day there would be plenty of people hoping he’d turn out in their team’s colours.
Well, maybe not Ivan Milat, but you get my drift.
Bird is also a gifted ball player and those blokes are at a premium.
Just look at the hole Matt Orford has left Manly in going into 2010. His departure to Bradford has obviously freed up the cash to resign wingers David Williams and Michael Robertson but everyone knows rugby league is all about the spine of 9, 7, 6 and 1 and some premium wingers aren’t much good if your halfback isn’t up to scratch.
The club has already anointed Kieran Foran as the likely successor but the club looks to be forced into a rebuilding stage which is a long way from one that was meant to be on the verge of a long standing dynasty at fulltime in the 2008 Grand Final.
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(18)
Mr cheese said | November 28th 2009 @ 2:46am | Report comment
AH yes, Steve, but did he not do well at the end of last season for the Dragons of Perpignan ????
I hadn’t seen the match but, after one of their games, a contributor to the Dragons’ message board said that it was liking playing with 14 men.
Anyways, Monsieur Walters would love to keep hold of him in Perpignan. If he fancies the step down to the Super League, Catalan is the ideal choice ( as it is for Clint Greenshields and Adam Mogg ): it gives you the opportunity to make a living out of RL in the Super League without having to live in the cold dark north of England.
I come from the north of England, so I’m allowed to say that.
Ian Noble said | December 4th 2009 @ 1:36am | Report comment
He had to join the Catalan Dragons because he was refused a visa to work in the UK, presumably because at the time there was a court case outstanding. Now that has been removed will he be allowed to play in the UK, which I believed was his first preference and more importantly does anybody want him?
Billo said | November 28th 2009 @ 2:56am | Report comment
Steve, have I misunderstood something, or has Greg Bird been found innocent?
He spent last season playing for the Catalans in France, and there were no reports of any incidents over there.
Bird would be a hell of a signing for almost any club.
M1tch said | November 28th 2009 @ 7:43am | Report comment
Titans or Catalans
JiMMM said | November 28th 2009 @ 9:12am | Report comment
I don’t care where he plays as long as it isn’t the Broncos
Springs said | November 28th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Send him back to Catalans, they could use him more than the Titans
Norm said | November 28th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
or the Roosters JiMMM.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Steve good post but I disagree with 2 points you made.
1. “Bird is also a gifted ball player and those blokes are at a premium.”
OK granted he can slot the odd ball but is he not a natural ball player, but more of a hard and tough ball “runner”. A “gifted ball runner” is someone like Cory Paterson, Feleti Mateo, Frank Pritchard, Luke Lewis and John Sutton.
2. “Just look at the hole Matt Orford has left Manly in going into 2010.”
Matt Orford is the prime reason why the Storm bundled Manly out of the comp in 2009 and went on to win the P’ship. I do not know of one single professional in the NRL who rates Orford. I can assure ypou the Storm did not lose any sleep when he left them and Manly have been trying to sign up young promising 7s for three years including Mitch Pearce. He has poor organizing skills, poor tactical kicking game and cannot tackle a weet bix. Manly are much better off with Hodkinson and Foran.
oikee said | November 28th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
I think he should spend 2 more years at Catalans, get them a title, and then come back, he would be the highest paid player by then. And also done his penniece. Even better would be if he became a frog, the French need all the help they can get at the moment.
Paul J said | November 28th 2009 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
I’m pleased that the NRL annual conference focused on off field incidents – no real suprise though.
The NRL has now made in clear that player behaviour is the responsibility of the clubs and this should make for an improved 2010. All they have to do now is ban mad Monday.
bever fever said | November 28th 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
If he was better behaved GWS might make him a offer.
cosmos forever said | November 28th 2009 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
Thank god the Raiders have a no d head policy now, or he might have ended up here!
I agree with Scott – he is massively overated as a ball player. He’s a tough, uncompromising player (verging on thug) the kind of player that did well under Ricky Stuart and the reason why NSW didn’t win anything for so long.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 8:46pm | Report comment
Cosmos I am NOT saying he is over rated, but he is not a natural ball player. I think he is a top class lock and would rather have him with me than against me.
The man said | November 30th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
IF the emphasis has been put on clubs to discipline players and act in the best interests of the game it would be a nice change (particularly from the Sea Eagles) and should result in Greg Bird’s signing being as popular as trying to catch the black death.
As Bird has suddenly has become “hot property” it suggests the clubs are reverting to type and once again looking after number one and stuff anyone else.
This is predictable and spells disaster for any “independent” commission model based on the clubs appointing the representatives and not involving the leagues (ARL, NSWRL & QRL). You must have the involvement of those who think and act for the good of the game above the self interest of the clubs.
Mushi said | November 30th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
A concern has to be not just his abhorrent off field behaviour but, and this is more important to a football team that cares only about winning, his willingness to selfishly sacrifice the career of a life long friend to buy some time to build a better story.
What kind of team mate is this guy going to be when things get tough?
When you’ve seen him attempt to destroy the life of a friend with no hesitation or remorse why would you think this guy is going to do what is right for a professional football team comprising of a bunch of blokes he’s casually known for zero to five years? He’s going to be a locker room ebola virus
If my roosters sign him then we are without doubt the dumbest organisation in any code of football in Australia.
buttery said | November 30th 2009 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
The Judge said he & his girlfriend were liars so how did he not convict them for perjury, Gallop should not let him back in.
Mushi said | December 1st 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
He needs to “prove” they were lying
Tom Alexander. said | December 1st 2009 @ 1:30am | Report comment
Surely there must be a hundred and one Greg Birds out there waiting to be discovered. This domestic violence stuff doesn’t sit too well with a lot of people. You just can’t help but think “what if it happens again”? What’s the excuse going to be the next time etc? i reckon he and his girl are too much of a risk for any club to gamble on.