NRL market watch: St George Illawarra Dragons star Jack Bird given permission to speak to rival clubs

Stefano Utoikamanu has made a decision on his future, while St George Illawarra star Jack Bird has been given permission to speak with rival NRL clubs in a surprise twist.

Jack Bird has been given permission to speak to rival clubs. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

St George Illawarra star Jack Bird has been granted permission to speak with rivals, while Wests Tigers star Front rower Stefano Utoikamanu has quit the club in another passive blow to the NRL strugglers.

The boom prop informed chief executive Shane Richardson of his decision on Monday morning.

He has not informed the Tigers of which club he will be joining but it appears to be a race in two between the Bulldogs and Melbourne.

Utoikamanu had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave if the Tigers did not make the finals or he did not play three State of Origin games for NSW.

Stefano Utoikamanu is leaving the Tigers. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It comes as Bird has requested, and been granted, approval to test the market and potential join a rival club for next season, despite having 12 months left on his St George Illawarra deal.

Bird’s 2025 contract was a mutual option with the utility taking up the one-year contract last month.

But now he will explore opportunities on the open market. Rival clubs were made aware of his availability on Monday morning.

Bird has battled injuries this year and has played NSW Cup in recent weeks as he regains his form and fitness.

At just 29, the Cronulla Sharks premiership winner still has plenty to offer a club — especially given his utility value.

Bird can play centre, halves or in the back row and could become a perfect bench utility for any team.

He has spent most of this season at centre having reunited under premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan.

The Dragons are chasing Valentine Holmes. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

If Bird can’t agree to terms elsewhere, he may still see out the final 12 months of his contract.

He returned to his junior club St George Illawarra in 2021 after stints with Cronulla and Brisbane.

Bird has played 153 top-grade games. He made headlines earlier this year with a spelling error in his 150th game jersey. Bird laughed off the “Dargons” mishap and was given another jersey by the club.

The Dragons have signed veteran South Sydney hooker Damien Cook on a two-year deal from next season.

This masthead has also revealed they have emerged as a frontrunner to sign State of Origin star Valentine Holmes, after North Queensland granted him permission to explore the open market, despite having 12 months remaining on his contract.

Holmes has been earmarked as an ideal replacement for Parramatta-bound Zac Lomax.