NRL 2020: Dragons coach Anthony Griffin reveals plans for star recruit Jack Bird
Just when will Jack Bird return to the field and what position will he play? New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin speaks about his star recruit and St George Illawarra’s other potential roster additions.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
New St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has unveiled his plans for star recruit Jack Bird by declaring the club will “care for him and get him physically and mentally ready”.
Bird was announced on Friday as Griffin’s first major signing with the former Brisbane and Cronulla utility signing a two-year deal to join the Dragons. He returns to his junior club after an injury-plagued sting in Brisbane where he played just 17 games in three years.
“It’s a good fit for him and the club,” Griffin said.
“He has a lot of belief in his ability. Even though he has had a few years on the sideline, what he did at a young age before that was win Origin and a premiership. He really has a winning attitude.
“We will care for him and get him physically and mentally ready to play a season of NRL. He will take some time until he finds his feet.”
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Bird will be slowly eased into the Dragons set-up, with the 25-year-old not expected to train with the main group before mid-January as he continues his comeback from a knee injury.
Griffin is hopeful Bird will be ready to play in the trials in February and be fully fit for round one.
While Griffin is confident Bird will make for a handy acquisition, he was noncommittal about his role within the team. Bird was training at fullback for the Broncos before rupturing his knee this year but made his mark at centre. Griffin said he could also play in the back-row and in middle of the field.
“It is the million dollar-question,” Griffin said when asked of Bird’s likely position.
.
MORE NRL NEWS
Cap crunch: Broncos have a $600K headache
Bombshell contract clause puts Ponga in play
“He has had a long period out of the game. He will play initially where it best suits the team.
“With Jack in particular — without putting any expectation on him, he needs to get ready to play in general. I’m not going to go out and say ‘he will play here or there’. I have an open mind where the best fit is for him.
“The attraction is he can play a lot of positions. I met him for the first time on Thursday afternoon and he is raring to go. He doesn’t hold any negativity or angst about what’s happened. I’ve had some long chats with him and he is in a really positive mindset.
“We are expecting and being positive his rehab will be successful and he will play some football in February.”
Bird and Roosters recruit Poasa Faamausili are the only new additions to the Dragons squad. They remain on the lookout for an experienced forward while the outcome of Jack de Belin’s court case will have ramifications on the squad.
Griffin put an end to speculation Josh McGuire would join the club and said there had been no in-depth conversations with Broncos prop Joe Ofahengaue.
“There was a period where the Cowboys were interested in a trade (for McGuire),” Griffin said.
“They are happy to keep him now. I don’t know what’s happening with Joe. Brisbane approached us some time ago and asked if we had an interest and we haven’t heard anything back.
“We have a little bit of capacity left (to add to our squad). We will build strategically.”
.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Dragons coach Anthony Griffin reveals plans for star recruit Jack Bird