Titans coach Neil Henry to rethink Bird leadership

Greg Bird urinates near police car: Gold Coast coach Neil Henry to rethink Titans leadership
Travis Meyn Gold Coast Bulletin
December 10, 2014 12:00AM

GREG Bird is under mounting pressure to retain the co-captaincy of the Gold Coast Titans with coach Neil Henry saying there was “no doubt” his leadership would be scrutinised.

Bird will face the Titans’ disciplinary committee on Thursday after being caught urinating in public in Byron Bay on Sunday.

While it may not be the crime of the century, Bird’s indiscretion is the last thing the Titans needed.

Teammate James Roberts is expected to plead not guilty to charges of public nuisance and obstructing police at Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he became the fourth Titans player to be arrested in what has been a 12-month stretch of poor player behaviour.

Roberts will also face the club’s disciplinary committee on Thursday.

The Titans are without a major sponsor for next year and Bird’s act created negative headlines around the country.

Henry is yet to commit to the co-captaincy structure former coach John Cartwright implemented in 2013 with Bird and Nate Myles.

And there is a strong possibility Bird could be rendered ineligible to lead the team after the five-person committee meets with him and manager Chris Orr on Thursday.

Henry is determined to turn the Titans around after four lean seasons and confirmed Bird’s captaincy credentials would be discussed.

“That will be discussed, no doubt,” he said.

“When these things happen and you’re a leader of the club there’s some ramifications sometimes.

“It’s not good for the club. It’s not what we’re about.

“It’s a moment of madness and poor judgment. You’d hope that wouldn’t happen with a player of his seniority in the club.

“He’s been good for a long time, too, since he’s been on the Coast. He’s been very good behind the scenes with a number of players as well as a mentor.

“That’s disappointing for him too because his behaviour has been good and he’s been a leader within our training and as a senior player.

“His behaviour is looked to. This is a blemish against that amongst his peers.”

His constant whinging at refs and trying to milk penalties is already way over the top but nobody is above public opinion in this type of case ... he can still be a leader behind the scenes but I don't want to have some p1ssed lout as the face of my club.

I am not a big fan of the co-captaincy anyway. Would prefer to have just one sole captain (Myles). Like you said Titanic, he can still be a leader on and off the field just not the 'official leader of our club.'

If we had a squeaky clean image at the time of Birdy's offense. Then it wouldn't be such a big deal. But unfortunately we're not in that position at the moment. And to silence the doubters, he has to made an example of, to prove to the Sponsors and Fans that things have indeed changed.

Anything short of losing his Captaincy, wouldn't be reaffirming that message.

NRL badboy Greg Bird to learn his fate at a disciplinary hearing today after public urination in Byron Bay a day after his wedding
TRAVIS MEYN GOLD COAST BULLETIN
DECEMBER 11, 2014 12:00AM

MAYBE the pressure is getting to Greg Bird, if his golf is anything to go by.

The Gold Coast Titans enforcer will today learn if he is stripped of the club’s co-captaincy after being caught urinating in public during wedding celebrations in Byron Bay on Sunday.

Bird will face the club’s disciplinary committee, which includes CEO Graham Annesley, coach Neil Henry and club co-owner Darryl Kelly, who has tipped more than $12 million into keeping the Titans on the Gold Coast.

Bird could also cop a hefty fine from the club.

But the NSW Origin star wasn’t locked away yesterday preparing how he will plead his case. He took to the fairways of Royal Pines to play in the Australian PGA Championship pro-am.

The appearance was booked in long before the Byron Bay incident and he was given the green light to play by Henry.

Playing in a group with professional Scott Strange, Bird struck a sweet tee shot on his first hole but found himself in the long stuff shortly after with some shanks.

The 30-year-old declined interview requests but is expected to front the media after his hearing today, when he is also scheduled to have his first training run of the pre-season.

Bird was given the first month of pre-season training off after representing Australia in the Four Nations international tournament and to get married in Byron Bay.

@FOXSportsNews - @GCTitans will announce the findings of their disciplinary hearings for Greg Bird and James Roberts tomorrow #NRL

Will be interesting to hear what punishments they get.

- - - Updated - - -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4jqOFHCAAAAkiW.jpg

If one event isn't connected to the other then I'll back Michael Searle for PM.

he was gonna have the captaincy taken off of him, then he took an arrow to the knee.