Jack Bird will likely start as the Cronulla fullback despite coming up with an indifferent performance in Sunday’s 24-24 NRL trial draw with Manly.
But as the Sharks’ fullback picture became clearer, it became even murkier for St George Illawarra, Penrith and Canterbury just three weeks out from the season proper.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan declared Bird has his nose in front of teammates Valentine Holmes and Ben Barba as they vie for the coveted No.1 role.
Despite several lapses – including dropping a bomb on his own goalline which nearly cost his side a try and coming up with a defensive blunder that allowed Brayden Wiliame to score – Flanagan was full of praise for Bird who is being shaped for a move from five-eighth.
Bird finished off a Sam Tagatese break to score in the first half and saved a certain Brenton Lawrence four-pointer before being given an early shower.
“He did really well tonight, he saved one there as well, he had some nice touches,” Flanagan said.
“It’ll be a bit of a challenge next week to see where they all fit but I’d say Jack Bird has his nose in front after today.”
Holmes had limited opportunities until being shifted to fullback in the second half and scored a decisive try.
However he is unlikely to be given time at No.1 in their final pre-season fixture against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown next week.
Also complicating things for Flanagan is the form of Barba who looked shades of his former self for the Indigenous All Stars in their loss to the World All Stars at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Elsewhere, Penrith coach Anthony Griffin has hinted he won’t be moving newly-appointed captain Matt Moylan from the No.1 jumper after failing to set the world on fire at five-eighth in their 24-20 win over Canterbury.
Moylan is destined for a future in the halves and Anthony Griffin is weighing up whether to move him there this season with incumbents Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace under pressure.
Who will run out in the Canterbury No.1 jumper in their season opener against Manly on March 4 is also clouded after Will Hopoate limped off Pepper Stadium on Saturday night.
Coach Des Hasler did his best to play down Hopoate’s injury as a “cork”, but with Brett Morris racing the clock with a knee injury, his two best fullback options are no certainties to start the season.
St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor also said he needed some time to mull over who would play fullback for the Red V after Kurt Mann had a mixed day in their 18-14 Charity Shield loss to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Mann has been tipped to wear the No.1 with NSW Origin back Josh Dugan to move to right centre.
Meanwhile Gold Coast forward Agnatius Paasi continued his strong pre-season, starring in his side’s 20-20 draw with Parramatta in Alice Springs.
Birdy
Guest
Wow C C , Bit late on your sharkies article. I don't think anyone has noticed how much time Gallen spends in the centers, or in the pack or everywhere on the field. Now that the Sharkies have potentially a top 4 team Flanno may be able to calm him down, which may be good for the Blues as well. I do wonder about Barba though, he should be in a starting line up somewhere. And surely Cronulla can't afford him to be on the bench, unless they got him for a bargain price .
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Holmes fullback,Barba bench for insertion against a tired defence>Bird either centre or 5/8th if Townsend does not perform..Maloney at 7.No correspondence will be entered into.Barba is starting to show the speed,for which he was renowned. Gal usually plays outing the centre ,so we have always got three (LOL).Flanno,could we please,pretty please ,restrain him to the centre field and let the backs run the pill.
Yush
Roar Rookie
Barba has not shown any sort of form in the last couple of years to suggest that he deserves the Fullback jersey right off the bat. Holmes would be my pick as he was always a fullback coming up through juniors, but Bird has recently re-signed and i suspect he wants a position in the spine to be satisfied. Not to say Bird is a terrible choice, but one thing i'm certain on is that Ben Barba should be on the outer. The Ben Barba that won a Dally M is long gone. He is the Derrick Rose of the NRL right now.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Really? I thought he was on a tonne of money last year? Unless I was looking at the total over the years he was signed. I think it was in the 700 park?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Morris isn't on a tonne of coin though. The Dragons let him go because of salary cap - it wasn't like there was a bidding war. I think he's got a lot of potential as a fullback. He started last year well but got injured in round 5, came back, was out through origin, then played on one leg for the rest of the year.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Val can't but he does a lot of other things that his teammates can't. Love watching him play. The Sharks have a dominant half now to keep Gal in check and while Townsend is hit and miss at best he's still capable of playing his roll though Bird makes the position stronger. Tbh I think Bird's extension could've come with a FB guarantee since that's where he's wanted to play since day 1. They'll probably end up losing Val who's in the same boat.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I thought he'd be a centre as well and they'd persist with Morris at FB. Lot of cash for a winger if Hoppa does take the FB roll, though I don't think Morris was ever a fullback.
The eye
Guest
True,but currently not quite at the same level of threat..with and without ball.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Barba does it...
The eye
Guest
Like the idea of your fullback acting as your third ball player in the line..Teddy does it,Moylan does it and RTS does it..Jack can,Val can't,but he'll be a major beneficiary if it can be pulled off..
fishes
Guest
Flanagan uses logic? That's news to me.... (and i'm a sharks fan)
Jimmmy
Guest
surely Barba or Holmes. Bennny y looked pretty good in the indigenous game. I really hope he gets Back to his best form. He was such an excitement machine. If not, Holmes is my choice. bird could be anything but fullback??
Tom Rock
Expert
Totally agree. For some reason, no one has stated the obvious: Chad Townsend is not an NRL quality half. Surely after a cracking debut season playing in the 6 jersey, the Sharks would leave Bird there and slot Holmes into the fullback role. Barba can come off the bench for a bit of spark, or else be released to free up space in the salary cap.
MAX
Guest
You are merciless Muzz!
Muzz
Guest
Re - Mann to fullback. Teething problems perhaps? Let's ask Charles to shed some light on the matter.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To be honest I'd rather Hoppa play either wing or centre. I feel a little unwell at the thought of him playing fullback.
Parrafan
Guest
Hi Barry, I think Hoppa will be alright. Apparently it was a knee sprain (after earlier being reported as an acl) and he was taken off as a precaution. I sure hope he has worked at his skill under the high ball in the off season.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Great ! Looks like Perrett in the number 1 jersey to start the year. It seems very odd to me for the Sharks to be juggling brilliant players like Bird, Barba and Holmes around to accommodate Townsend. In other news, the move of Mann to fullback did not strengthen two positions as predicted...
Birdy
Guest
Barba at his best must be in the starting line up of most NRL teams. So if he misses out again surely cronulla would want to free up their salary cap .If I were Barba I would not want to hang around waiting for an injured player to get me a start So where to now for Barba?
Pat Malone
Guest
Agree and then you have to carry the woeful Townsend at half as well