All rugby league fans thought it was behind him. No more controversy, just a solid kid who was now starting to realise the talent that won him two consecutive man-of-the-match awards in Origin football and two tests for Australia.
The incident of 2004 started it all.
Bird gained notoriety after kneeing former South Sydney winger Shane Marteene in the head during their round four clash, which resulted in him not only being sent off by the referee, but receiving a 10 week suspension from the judiciary on top of it.
Former Chief Executive of the club, the late Steve Rogers, claimed that Bird had “been made an example of.”
Or so we thought.
Fans were led to believe that the lingering time bomb in Bird’s career was stopped. And it was, temporarily, with the Sharks player experiencing good form in 2005 and 2006.
Indeed, 2006 was the year that everything looked right for the now troubled star. Bird had a strong year and was voted the Cronulla Sharks Player of the Year, despite missing seven games of the season through injury.
If that wasn’t enough of a smokescreen, Bird posed for the Naked Rugby League 2007-08 charity calendar, which was produced to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Bird’s career was chirping along nicely.
But, despite the good things done, there were still some signs of trouble.
In March 2006, Bird was alleged to have sent model Lara Bingle inappropriate text messages.
He denied this, with Sharks spokesman Rob Willis saying, “Greg’s thrown up his hands … He says he’s done nothing inappropriate. There’s been nothing obscene written. There’s been no harassment”.
No harassment and no worries for Greg Bird. That was until another alarm went off on the aftermath of NSW’s Origin Two loss to QLD earlier this year.
Bird claimed he was “jokingly” arrested outside a Brisbane nightclub as part of a practical joke by Queensland Police.
Queensland Police responded in a press release stating Bird was arrested after he failed to follow police instructions. He was released after five minutes without charge.
Although his 183cm, 103kg frame would do well in defending him from any physical harm, the same cannot be said about his integrity in rugby league and social circles.
The West Maitland junior has had his fair share of critics over the years, questioning his behaviour and commitment to the NRL off the field.
Now those people will take a stand and say, “I told you so.”
On the eve of the 2008 finals, and possibly an elusive Sharks premiership, Bird has been detained by police for allegedly assaulting a 24-year old woman, apparently attacking her with such force she is undergoing surgery for a fractured eye socket and facial injuries.
Sharks CEO Tony Zappa has stood Bird down for the rest of the season to sort out his actions, or more likely his future.
Unfortunately for Bird, August 2008 could be the last we see of a man who never had the strength to reign under fire.
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gavin
Guest
westy, what you say above appears to make sense
Benjamin
Guest
Jim, I recall reading in the Sunday Times that the average salary in the GP is under £80,000. If you have specific reasons then who are these average players? "They all go for money" That is silly. If you think that is the only reason then I doubt there is much point in attempting to suggest otherwise. In any case, I'm glad you speak for all the league converts. What drivel.
JimC
Guest
Benjamin - your wrong - GPL clubs have a much bigger salary cap than Super League teams. Very average players are paid GBP150000+ They all go for money and they know that they can play for longer in the GPL as it isn't as intense, for the backs at least.
Benjamin
Guest
Firstly I doubt many of the players are on a higher wage. SBW may be on a huge salary but Hape isn't, Chev Walker wasn't and so and so on. Even if the pay were higher it would only be marginal, so if you were a player like Iestyn Harris, why leave your comfort zone to join a union in a serious state of distress, and a club side that is well below average? The same applies to nearly all converts. Why would you leave a sport where you are a star to a sport where the odds of being a failure are far higher than they are of being a success? I doubt a few thousand extra is worth the hassle. The majority of converts cite the breadth of world rugby as their reason. Something that you previously dismissed.
The Answer
Guest
Sorry Benjamin you are right, they all want free trips to Cape Town and be recognised in the south of France (while also enjoying the anonymity). How many of the players you listed are actually earning less than what they did in league?
Alan Nicolea
Guest
The answer I feel it has alot to do with both cash and recognition mate. I have talked to alot of league players from interviews and what not (no i am not a journalist) and they really want to be recognised for their talents internationally. Players know you cannot compare a league world cup to a Union world cup. Union has far more watchers and players love recognition. But the cash is a prime reason aswell.
Benjamin
Guest
(typo) ...antagonism like this is unnecessary and outdated.
Benjamin
Guest
That's nonsense. Vainikolo didn't move for money. Hape didn't move for money. Robinson didn't move for money. Shifcoske didn't move for money. Tahu didn't move for money. That attitude is crass short-termism. Frankly I don't think many union fans care or are nervous about rugby league. That is why antagonism like ... "The reason the Union tribe love bringing up the Super league war again is that it just kills them that they all predicted it would kill the game and yet all those years on the NRL still stands like a behemoth over rugby in Australia. They missed their big chance and they are just praying they get another one." The rugby chip is firmly on your shoulder.
The Answer
Guest
Alan, I'm enjoying your articles, but the reason is cash. If the Catalan Dragons paid as much as Toulon he'd be playing league in France. the global game is largely a myth, the idea that Union is played in 100 countries is just laughable. The might have a few club teams full of expats in 93 of those countries but that is it. Rugby League has a bigger exposure in France than Union does in I'd argue 93 of the countries it claims. I've been hearing the sky is falling in for as long as I have been following the game. The reason the Union tribe love bringing up the Super league war again is that it just kills them that they all predicted it would kill the game and yet all those years on the NRL still stands like a behemoth over rugby in Australia. They missed their big chance and they are just praying they get another one. Of course, buying league converts just exposes their own problems of development. The QRU stated when they recently bought Mark McLinden that no one existed in Union to do the same job .i.e utility back. Their own bosses know they are merely papering over the cracks. This is reality. Don't shoot the messenger.
westy
Guest
World's Biggest.............I do not want to lose League's support base. This may be difficult to comprehend but the Waratahs are not seeking any replacement players for Lyons/Vickerman/Elsom from our club district rugby. What a vote of confidence in the calibre of our domestic depth. Actually went to a few games on weekend ..............are we kidding ourselves with our derision of NRL and its U/20 competition.The Reds are buying 29 year old league McClintock....before that it was a retiring Schicovski( my apologies).Where are our own. Answer the NRL has the next best level of playing depth. I had the horrible realisation as Gordon beat Parramatta first grade colts 79 to nil that a mid grade Toyota Cup League team may even beat our best Colts playing our game if we lent them a couple of props.We had grade scores of 129 to nil.....14 tries being scored in a game and the fact the bottom 7 teams in our premier club competition on average get 40 points or more scored against them each week You do seriously understand that apart from 4 club teams our district competion is poor to terrible.O'Neill knows we lose that league base and our existing footprint in Western and Southern Sydney we lose our chance to broaden our game. We will always be right at the top , the doomsayers were always and will always be wrong because behind football we are the second internatinal code. The question is now do we want to be more than a boutique domestic sport.At the moment that is what we are.I get the answer the leaguies will come and then play rugby....They want to be paid even at the lower levels and we do not have a competition anyway.I come from the Hipwell/Price/Smith tradition of Australian Rugby not the private school tradition and like it or not have never had a problem paying young blokes to play district rugby. Sheehan is in the Waratahs squad but got dropped from Souths rugby because he was very pedestrian .... Now he is back with us.!and we complain about Dell!
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Worlds biggest The reason players go to Union is because it is much more of a world game than league ever could be. There is more on offer in Union in terms of exposure to the world than there is in League. I will always love the NRL and the game as a spectacle buts its future is in grave doubt for me. I hope it lives on in some shape or form.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Nice one Mudskipper, Alan you can add Gasnier, Ryles, Riddell, and Rooney amongst others that are leaving the game. Greg Inglis and Benji Marshall will be the next to go to Union. I agree the NRL would be cringing about $BW walking out, Carneys actions and now Birds alleged glassing all in there big year. Maybe the Rugby League World Cup can save face, what with games being played at Club Grounds in Sydney this is a chance to showcase to the World - Rugby League. All of the afformentioned players can be replaced according to the average man in the street, " we wont miss him " is a common line thrown out there. You are talking about 2 of the biggest names in the NRL, $BW and Gasnier leaving with other big names to follow. Why is the game of League or more to the point, it's supporters in denial about the state of the game ??. This will be Gallops last year running the asylum.
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Mudskipper Where do you get this stuff? You're not a Sharks fan are you? Whatever the case, i now know you feel strongly about the issue and i will see that Bird gets this recipe as soon as possible. His girlfriend though will not be able to cook it so who will?
mudskipper
Guest
From the Sporting Chief… Bird recipe. A classic roast Bird is sure to impress on a wintery Sunday. Ingredients (serves 4 Lawyers and a Magistrate) • 2kg free-range chicken • 1 lemon, quartered • 1 bunch thyme • 50g butter, melted • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 675g chat potatoes • steamed carrots and peas, to serve Method 1. Preheat oven to 220°C. Remove excess fat contract from Bird. Select a roasting pan with sides 186cm high. 2. Place lemon and thyme in Bird. Tie Bird legs together with un-waxed string and tuck neck flap and wings underneath. Combine butter and oil in a small bowl. Brush over both sides Bird. Place, Face side down, on a greased roasting rack in pan. Roast for until October court hearing. 3. Meanwhile, place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over high heat. Cook for 10 minutes or until almost tender. Drain. Return potatoes to saucepan. Cover to keep warm. Remove Bird from oven. Turn over and baste with butter mixture. Arrange potatoes around Bird. Brush with butter mixture. 4. Roast both for a further 37 minutes or until juices run clear when Bird thigh pierced with a skewer. Cover and stand for 15 minutes to rest. Carve Bird and serve with potatoes and steamed vegetables to the English Rugby League. Notes & tips • Tip: Don't add alcohol Bird has had a skin full already
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Jason You are right, the solid kid line went out of context. He is a grown man ( the brain needs developing) and will probably be lost to rugby league. It's a shame to see the NRL under so much s**t in its centenary year. In fact, i can't think of a worse year for the game. Todd Carney is lost with Bird and the likes of Buderus, Menzies and Williams are gone overseas. There is word Frank Pritchard is heading to Union aswell. How long can David Gallop withstand this bulls**t.
Jason
Guest
Greg Bird's main problem is that he was born without a brain. He's a goose and coward. Only scum attack women. If I was him I'd come clean about his obvious steroid abuse (he got very big, very quickly) and try and plead he was suffering from roid rage. The main problem with League is the constant pandering to these players. Even in this story the phrase "solid kid" was used. I'm sorry but this MAN is 24 and he is therfore not a kid. In our society once you are 18 you are no longer a kid you are an adult. I sincerely hope the full wait of the law is thrown at this yellow coward and that he is made an example of. If he dooesn't serve at least 1 year behing bars our society is soft. It needs to be made clear that man (espescially powerfully, stong elite athletes) can not attack defenceless women. In fact he attacked an American citizen. Send him to Gitmo. That will sort the coward out.