Jack Bird opens up on Wests Tigers move, while Marcelo Montoya may join him | NRL Market Watch

Departing Dragons star Jack Bird has revealed why he signed with the Wests Tigers, while a Warriors star could join him at the club next season. SEE THE LATEST NRL PLAYER MOVES

Jack Bird is leaving the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

Jack Bird has dispelled any notion that he is heading to the Wests Tigers for a swansong contract by declaring he wants to play until he’s 34.

The premiership-winner has also revealed that his decision to sign with the wooden spoon club was to help lead Benji Marshall’s side back to the finals for the first time in 13-years.

The St George-Illawarra utility has broken his silence on departing the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old was unable to farewell Dragons fans against the Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday after withdrawing due to back spasms in the lead-up to the match.

Jack Bird is leaving the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

The two-year deal with the Wests Tigers will take Bird’s career to an 11th season in the NRL, an extraordinary feat given his well-publicised injury battles that have included three knee reconstructions and rheumatoid arthritis.

“The way that I’ve bounced back from my injuries I’ve been pretty resilient, most people would’ve given up,’’ Bird told this masthead.

“I had three ACL surgeries over my career, rheumatoid arthritis, so to think back when my career started that I would still be playing, I’d say no way.

“But the way I’m going now, I feel like my body is holding up well and I can get through until I’m 32, even 34 hopefully.

“I actually feel great, so I don’t see this as my final contract.

“Obviously the road is getting shorter, but I feel like I’ve still got a bit to go.

“I’m only 29 and by the time the Tigers contract is over, I’ll be turning 32 and I still think I can keep going if not in the NRL, then overseas.’’

The Wests Tigers will be Bird’s fourth club after previous stints at the Sharks, Broncos and Dragons, spanning 157 NRL games.

Bird was unable to play in the Dragons final game of the season, after battling with a back injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

The former NSW Origin representative and 2016 premiership-winning centre said he was excited to be part of the Wests Tigers rebuild.

“I still think that I’ve got some good footy left in me and I like the way the Tigers are heading,’’ Bird said.

“I’m looking forward to going there and helping change their culture a bit and get them back into the finals.

“I want to challenge myself. I’m probably going to have a bigger role than any previous role I’ve had at a club.

“They’ve signed some great players and they’ve bought me for a reason to show the younger guys how to train and how to win.

“I’m excited.

“The only way is up for the Tigers. They’ve won three consecutive wooden spoons and that doesn’t bother me because I look at the squad they’ve got and they’ve got some great young players. The way I see it, if you’re not in the top eight, you may as well come last anyway.

“If we screw our heads on right at training we can go a long way.’’

Bird added that he held no animosity towards the Dragons after originally wanting to extend his future with the Red-V.

“I spoke to Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and he understands. He said he just wouldn’t have known until next year if there was a contract for me and I understand that,’’ Bird said.

“I love the club, I love the boys, I’m going to miss everyone for sure. There’s no bad blood whatsoever and I’m leaving on good terms.’’

MONTOYA THE LATEST IN WESTS TIGERS’ SIGHTS

Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is the latest name to be linked to the Tigers as the club continues to revamp its roster following a third straight wooden spoon.

It is understood that the Tigers have spoken with Montoya about a possible switch to the club as early as next season. This comes despite Montoya still having a year left on his contract with the Warriors.

The Warriors have given Montoya permission to test the market before the November 1 trade window opens as their backline has a stack of depth.

The Tigers are desperately trying to bolster their own backline stocks despite already adding Sunia Turuva (Panthers) and Jeral Skelton (Bulldogs) from next season.

Montoya, 28, has been one of New Zealand’s most consistent performers since joining the club from Canterbury in 2021.

The Fijian international is in talks over a multi-year contract. Fresh from finishing another underwhelming season, the Tigers are in the midst of overhauling their roster.

They have added Royce Hunt (Sharks) and Jack Bird (Dragons) in recent days having secured superstar Jarome Luai (Penrith) even before a ball was kicked.

They remain locked in talks with Canberra firebrand Corey Horsburgh who had hoped to have a decision made by last Friday remains on the radar of the Tigers. Those talks are expected to reach a conclusion by the end of next week.

They are also interested in Brisbane’s Kobe Hetherington who has been given his own permission to speak with rival clubs.

The Tigers farewelled a host of players on Friday night with Junior Tupou (Dolphins), Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers) and Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne) playing their last game for the club.

The future of veteran forward John Bateman remains unclear after he was granted permission to quit the club mid-season to join Sam Burgess in Warrington.

Bateman remains contracted at the Tigers until the end of 2026 but is unlikely to return to the club.

BIRD AGREES TO TERMS WITH TIGERS

Jack Bird will become the latest player to join the Wests Tigers after agreeing to a two-year contract.

Bird has played his last game for the Dragons after injury ruled him out of their clash against the Raiders on Saturday.

Bird becomes the Tigers’ second big signing this week after they landed Royce Hunt.

Bird is viewed as a perfect utility for the Tigers and despite wanting a longer-term deal will join the Tigers for the next two years.

He had originally taken up an option to remain at the Dragons next season but was granted permission to test the market and the Dragons won’t stand in Bird’s way.