Jack Bird is going to Brisbane in 2018. After a lengthy contract saga that had him choosing between remaining at the Cronulla Sharks or moving to the Newcastle Knights, Bird has instead gone down the third path, signing a deal with the Broncos.
Bird’s deal with the Wayne Bennett-coached side is rumoured to be worth $2.1 million over three years.
The Cronulla Sharks confirmed that Bird would move to the Broncos in 2018 via a statement on their website, “Despite our Club making its highest ever financial offer to secure a current player”.
“On behalf of the Coaching staff and players I am terribly disappointed that Jack has decided to move on considering he made his NRL debut at our Club, was the NRL Rookie of the Year, made his debut for Origin and won a premiership all within the space of just over two years,” said coach Shane Flanagan.
“Since debuting for us in 2015, our Club has played a major role in developing Jack into a State of Origin level player which is a testament to the talent identification and player development systems we have in place. We look forward to steering many more of our talented young players along a similar journey in the years to come.
“While we wish Jack well in his future endeavours, he is a professional and we have no doubt he will continue to give his full focus to his Club and his teammates on and off the field and play a major role throughout 2017,” Flanagan added.
It was reported on Saturday that the Broncos had emerged as a late contender in the race for Bird’s signature, as they look for someone to pair with Anthony Milford following Ben Hunt’s decision to join the Dragons next year.
The offer from the Knights was reportedly in the range of $1 million a year, so he has turned down potentially greater financial reward for the incentive of being able to play at a more competitive club.
The 22-year-old was, of course, a part of the Cronulla side that won the Sharks’ first premiership last year, capping off an excellent season which saw him make his first State of Origin appearance for the Blues.
MiltonStapler
Roar Rookie
It depends on how big the cake is. The salary cap is only so big you know and there are only so many slices to go round. The ratio of people to cake is too big! Last time I didn't receive a piece...
Harden Up
Roar Rookie
Exactly how many brown paper bags does it take to make a Bird fly?
doogs
Guest
Wow. i did not know. I will have to see that. The players reflect him. Have you ever seen a Sharks player cop a decision???? Everything is an argument. Maloney smacked a guy across the nose last week and he complained that he hit the guy in the chest. Then they were penalised and Gallen asked "What for?" They would be the worst examples of players
doogs
Guest
I guess nobody knows how Cronulla stay under the cap. Oh sorry they are untouchable
doogs
Guest
Maybe you could audit the Shark's books seeing that you seem to know so much about it all. Can you tell me how Cronulla fit so many state and international players under the cap. By sheer luck? Nobody mentions that here because the demography of the basic Roar League fan is coming out of Sydney and Canberra. I had the misfortune to have a live stream of the Saints vs Cowboys. The misfortune was that the feed had the Commentator's call turned down and the crowd turned up. All I heard was non-stop booing from the "fans". Everytime the Saints had the ball they were at the ref. Booooo. Booooo. I thought Wow, your team are joint leaders and you still seem cheesed off. So Max can you tell me how the Sharks fit everyone under the cap or are you like the Saints fans from Saturday night who feel hard done by every minute of the day.
doogs
Guest
Why bench somebody for looking after their future? What is it in Australia that nobody is allowed to better their conditions in life?
qwetzen
Guest
All of the 'big' clubs are like farmers, always crying poor. But when a neighboring property comes up for sale they're in the front row waving their chequebook around.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'm not blaming anyone... I'm glad the Sharks stood firm with the offer, no one is bigger than the club - anything over $750k for a right centre is not reasonable. We've got the best juniors in the country coming through so we'll be sweet.... Bird helped deliver the club a premiership so always be a fan. But let's not pretend that his gone to the Broncos for anything other than money.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Whatever gets you through mate, but I'd dare say there'd be a fair few players that'd take less to not play at the knights and I'd have to say that the broncos have more to offer then a lump sum. But if you're looking for somewhere to place blame maybe you should look closer to home. It's been reported that bird didn't make up his mind until after a conversation with Flanagan and Gallan
Renegade
Roar Guru
There's also no way Bird would've went to the Broncos unless they put the biggest offer on the table. The knights offer was 900k per season, are you telling me he would knock that back to go to Brisbane for $200k less.... please.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Deal I heard 3 years at 800,000 plus optional 4th year $1m. Good luck to the guy, he helped the Sharks win a premiership, and could do likewise this year, fingers crossed. What I would like to have started up ,a recycling business making brown paper bags with a number of compartments.. Brisbane sounds like there is huge demand. Queensland beautiful one day, cash cow the next.
Emcie
Roar Guru
How does $2.1M over three years equal $1m a season? Dunno where this $4M over four years came from considering that Cronulla offered $3M over four years and apparently the Broncos offer was only $350k more. And theres no way the Broncos are going to offer a center who wants to play in the halves a mill a year when they're only offering their star player $900k
Renegade
Roar Guru
Broncos deal is $1m a season.... nowhere near 700k
Mushi
Guest
Will it in the expanding cap?
jeremy
Guest
The Knights
qwetzen
Guest
I assume Bird will have to go through a variety of physical & mental sheep-dips to remove all traces of Ennis & Gallen..
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wow! Didn't see that. Pretty poor form if that's the case.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah no doubt Bird is extremely talented, he just doesn't seem to be the right fit that the Broncos need now. Interesting to see how it works...
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Ball playing back rower !
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Bird signed with the club that was willing to pay him the most