Gold Coast have stripped representative forward Greg Bird of the NRL club’s co-captaincy.
Bird was issued with an infringement notice on Monday after being caught urinating on a northern NSW street following his wedding over the weekend.
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley announced on Friday the 30-year-old would be axed from his leadership role following a disciplinary hearing into his behaviour.
The news caps a shocking week for Bird who will undergo scans in the next couple of days after injuring his right knee at training in Thursday.
Annesley also confirmed Bird has been fined $15,000 and put on notice that any more bad behaviour will put his place at the club in jeopardy.
Youngster James Roberts had also been fined $3000 and put on notice after he was arrested in October and charged with public nuisance and obstructing police.
The charges against Roberts were dropped on Wednesday in court but Annesley said both players’ behaviour was unacceptable.
“Whilst the circumstances of these incidents are serious enough alone to warrant club imposed sanctions, the details pale into insignificance compared to the damage done to the club’s standing in the community,” he said.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Origin selection is over 6 months away. This incident will be long forgotten by then. Only injury will keep Bird out of the 2015 series.
Mike L
Guest
That's right, either way will Laurie drop bird?
The eye
Guest
If I was Bird I would exploring ways of playing for a stronger club......too.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Take a pee? Sure. Taken a pee on a police car? Not so much.
up up cronulla
Guest
Wow wow wow, he took a pee, who hasnt taken a pee when on the turps, woopee doo its all something we have to do and before people start , the year is 2014 yet we all still urinate in public urinal troffs together , thats still pretty medieval if you ask me!!!
up in the north
Guest
I'm no big fan of Birds, but so what if he got caught short and decided to have a quick slash. I am not going to debate his character or lack thereof, he's a big boy, he knows the repercussions for boozy behaviour and he chose to do as he pleased anyway. The club have decided upon their punishment and that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned. The clever lad decided not to go back into the venue to use their toilet and opted to do it in the carpark instead. So, it's cost him 15k to save a penny. Nobody accused him of being smart did they? I doubt he would be saying he is being harshly dealt with, just a very stupid and expensive choice he has made.
The Mountain
Guest
Whoa!!!! Thats harsh!!!! He will never ever do anything wrong again. They certainly showed Greg they weren't mucking around. Stripped of the Vice Captaincy. Maybe they have gone to far with this punishment?? Wow!!!
catcat
Guest
Pee in the bushes where no one can see not near a cop car
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not true Mike. Pearce was arrested in May, 9 days out from Origin I selection.
Mike L
Guest
Mitchell Pierce got dropped from the NSW team last year for a boozey night out in January, it will be interesting to see if Laurie Daley keeps it consistent. NSW have always had plenty of back rowers so Bird might be watching Origin at home.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Should have had a slash in a flash,before making a dash.
millsy of perth
Guest
Hands up who hasn't been in Birds predicament I know I have when younger and only got a warning what's with the cops these days too mean spirited
Seeing Labrador
Guest
Should have gone to Specsavers!
crashy
Guest
My beef is this bloke has been in the press previously for some nasty stuff. It's just the last in the list of some ordinary form.
MJB
Guest
What a shame, sacked from the co-captaincy after he finally found something in common with Myles.
cecil
Guest
How is it a beat up Squidward? He is a leader at his club, a mentor, a captain. The club needs some good leaders. It is time for Bird to grow up off the field. He is not a younger guy in terms of NRL anymore.
Harry
Guest
Flogged with a feather - yet another rep player on a last warning - they have multiple get out of jail cards...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
That just taking the wee What a public outrage beat up Hopefully channels this into two in a row for NSW