By Steve Kaless
December 8th 2009 @ 2:25am
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Is Greg Bird the missing piece for the Titans?
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
He’s baaack. He’s unlikely to be the NRL’s choice to lead the marketing campaign for the 2010 season, but the Gold Coast have decided he is well worth the punt. So Greg Bird is returning to the NRL next year.
There are no questions on his toughness, and he does have some neat footwork and good ball skills in the kit bag as well. So is Greg Bird the answer for the Titans?
When the Titans succumbed in the Finals last year, with two straight defeats, questions were immediately asked about whether this roster has the ability to go to that next level.
It is likely that Bird will start for the Titans alongside Scott Prince in the halves, giving the team a real contrast in styles.
This will push Preston Campbell back to the battle for the fullback spot with William Zillman. And Zillman may then be forced to join a queue for the centre spots alongside the likes of Mat Rogers, Joseph Tomane (another new signing) and youngsters Esi Tonga and Jordan Aitkins.
I’d argue that Bird does give the Titans an extra dimension out wide, and for a side that finished third in the regular season last year, they have added players that are better than the ones that are departing.
A scenario which is not as easy as it looks.
Of course, they could also opt for him to lock the scrum, although the Titans pack has proven itself to be a balanced one and it’s in the backs they’d like to see Bird’s influence.
But for all the Titans hopes, it will all come to nothing if Bird mucks up on the tourist strip. The former Cronulla player has said he is leaving his troubles in Sydney, but he is hardly shifting to a monastery.
Temptation is an easy thing to access on the Gold Coast and it will be a mark of the clubs’ ability to manage players if they can keep him on the straight and narrow.
The bookies currently have the Titans as sixth favourite.
At $12 to win the title, is it a shrewd bet or indicative of a side whose failings were exposed last season?
Watch this space.
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(9)
Wayne of Windale said | December 8th 2009 @ 5:56am | Report comment
He must be disappointed he didnt sign in time for schoolies week.
M1tch said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
He might be the extra grunt they need for finals, they bombed about badly against the Eels and leaked 40 points against the Broncos at home.
Brett McKay said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:37am | Report comment
Steve I’d argue, as I did when Bird was with Cronulla, that he’ll be more benefit to the Gold Coast from lock than he would from five-eighth. From Lock, he can use his short ball-playing game much more effectively, and also can link with the likes of Campbell or Zillman up through the middle, similarly to how Glenn and Brett Stewart play for Manly.
From five-eighth though, I can actually see him stifling Prince’s natural wide passing game, which with the speed the Titans will have out wide next season, is not something you’d be wanting to do…
Chop said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:15am | Report comment
Completely agree, he’s not a 5/8ths footy boot.
He’ll end up playing lock by the business end of this year, if he keeps he snout clean then he might actually make a decent contribution to the Titans.
They will end up with too many chiefs, with Campbell playing 5/8th in attack if Bird tries to play that role they will loose the fluency in attack. Their defence will improve though….
Unfortunately the Titans will concede more penalties with Bird in the team….
The Link said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
Steve – Cartwright has managed to keep the boys more or less off Cavill ave for the last few years. If it can work for Chris Walker then surely its worth a shot with Bird.
On the footy, the Titans implosion come September was one of the great mysteries of the 2009 finals.
Teams seem pretty confident playing them in the big games and they’ll need to address this next year.
Bird could be a good signing, but may be off the pace for the first half of next year at 6.
Off the bench or a start at 13 with a transition later in the season to five-eigth would work better.
Mushi said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Walker didn’t shove glass into someones face and blame his close friend.
Walker was an immature git – Bird is disgrace of a human being there is a big gap.
MyGeneration said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Bird is a decent addition, football wise, but he’s not the difference between pretenders and contenders for mine, and some of his on-field brain explosions have been nearly as bad as his off-field ones. If the Titans can make this one work, then Michael Searle for head of the Independent Commission!
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Even if seale cant make it work, Seale for head of the Commission.
Campbell Watts said | December 8th 2009 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
Yeah he’s real tough!
Beating on your girlfriend takes a lot of strength!
He’s scum and no denying it – lied through his teeth in court and she’s an idiot for backing him!