Reunited with his old Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan at St George Illawarra, Jack Bird is adamant he can thrive in the centres and recapture the sparkling form that once earned him State of Origin honours.
Bird has endured a career with more downs than ups since he helped the Sharks win the 2016 premiership under Flanagan’s guidance.
Several knee injuries threatened a career that was heading in the right direction when Bird won five NSW caps between 2016 and 2017.
But after getting his body right, Bird’s constant changing of position at the Dragons has meant he has struggled to get back to his best.
The 28-year-old has spent time in the halves and forwards but says he only has eyes for one position – centre.
“I’ve been training at centre and in the back row, but I would like to get away from the forwards and get back to the backs,” Bird said.
“I’ve played my best footy under Flanno at centre, so that’s where I want to play.
“You’ve got to believe in yourself and that’s one thing that I do believe in; myself (and) that I can get back to my best, if not better.
“Like I said, I’m feeling strong and fit and I’ve just got to keep improving.
“Obviously I haven’t played centre in a long time, so I have to work hard, but I’m feeling fast enough to play centre.”
Bird will vye with Moses Suli and Zac Lomax for a spot in the Red V’s backline, while the club also boasts promising rugby union schoolboy talent Savelio Tamale on its books.
Jack Bird. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
There remains some chance Lomax will shift to fullback for next season, after being given the chance to train there and challenge Tyrell Sloan for the No.1 jersey in the pre-season.
Flanagan’s no-nonsense style is tipped to give the Dragons a shake-up after years of mediocrity and Bird is appreciative of his new coach’s approach after getting dropped to reserve grade last year.
“It was probably a good wake-up call, I knew that I had to be better,” Bird said.
“The main thing is I still get to do what I love doing, and that’s playing football.
“I think I’m a first grader and getting dropped back there … hopefully this year is going to be a better year for myself and the team.
“I think Flanno can bring the best out of me and I don’t get dropped again.”
Lord Ted Said
Roar Rookie
I reckon he’s needed in the back row. I cant remember if he played centre when the sharks won the comp but in this side we need someone who can pass the ball. And I don’t mean the Lomax version of low percentage rubbish.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
I've never been a Jack Bird fan, he went to the Broncos because of Bennett. At that time , he sustained those more limiting injuries when he technically should have been in an evolvement stage. That's gone , Bird has nothing to offer. His performances with the Broncos were poor at best and had he shown any resolve , Bennett would have taken him to the Dolphins as they needed some talent then. Time's up Jack , find another avenue of sport
mushi
Roar Guru
He's just gone back to Flanno's dietician
Albo
Roar Rookie
No closer in than number 14.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Jack could make a go of it because of the modern game. Gone are the days when centres played as a pair and were strike weapons in attack where pace off the mark was essential. Now we have a centre a side playing outside of a 2nd rower as per the left/ right side players. Jack's lack of speed won't be a crucial factor on the outside of a speed deficient 2nd rower. He does have talent, we know that, but what he needs is a coach to programme him to utilise it. Flanno has a big task ahead of himself getting Saints to fire with Jack Bird being just one part of it.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think there have been quite a number of outside backs that have made a successful transition into the forwards. I don’t think Jack is on of them. And to now try and getting back into the centres, particularly after so many knee problems. I like his optimism.
Tony
Roar Guru
Sloane hasn't done himself any favours by playing in that Koori knock out. He might be lucky to get a game at this rate.
Tony
Roar Guru
I'd move him two slots further out :happy:
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
I'd imagine the rheumatism or whatever he has is robbing his speed.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Twiggy’s clearly not going down the Laundy shute. With shelling out for everyone else’s players.
Damien Calgaro
Roar Rookie
Another player at the Dragons who would be on big coin but is reserve grade standard. The club can't attract any decent players so end up having to persist with plodders like this in their squad. Good luck Flanagan because he's going to need it at this club!
KenW
Roar Rookie
Wonder if this declaration by Bird is an indication that Flanno is definitely going with Lomax at fullback? Otherwise he would seem long odds of unseating Suli or Lomax from the centres. Would seem a shame to let Sloan go. I don't particularly disagree with the criticism that he's gotten but I think it's been exaggerated a bit. I don't see anything unfixable and the upside he has is incredible. I'll live with it as long as Flanagan doesn't go down the road that Hook did of continually swapping and changing.
KenW
Roar Rookie
There's a bit of a full circle that's happened in Bird's career. He was the next big thing at the Dragons for a couple of years in NYC but nobody knew what he was going to play. Everyone agreed he was a great footballer but he wasn't a pure playmaker, was a bit slow for the backs, a bit small for the forwards. It's the same problem now, he's still a good footballer but not particularly well suited to any position. I wouldn't want him to be the first choice centre but he can do an OK job there. As long as they don't put him at fullback again, that was a terrible experiment - looked like a cruise ship trying to turn and chase.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The big money move to Brisbane which looked a sound move at the time unfortunately saw a shocking run of injuries. He’s gone from SoO probable to fringe first grader. Just shows how fragile a footy career can be. It’s a reminder to those who keep saying these kids are overpaid and money hungry. Plenty of stellar careers descend dramatically over a short period. Players, who’ve invested practically all their time and effort into just making grade, have an incredibly short opportunity to set themselves up for life.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah definitely moves like an edge forward, and not even one of the quicker ones.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Good luck if its Kyle Flanagan and Jack Bird in the first grade backline together.
andrew
Roar Rookie
If Bird wants to play centre I hope he's doing a lot of sprint training. Whether he was carrying an injury, I don't know, but what I've seen of Jack in the past couple of years is a distinct lack of pace.