Greg Bird - 2011 Discussion Thread
General discussion on match performances, position, injuries, contracts, and anything else.
Greg Bird - 2011 Discussion Thread
General discussion on match performances, position, injuries, contracts, and anything else.
Originally Posted by nrl.com
Bird at home in Titans' No.6, says Prince
AAPMon, Apr 04, 2011 - 7:10 PM
Gold Coast are facing a halves crisis with Scott Prince and Greg Bird confronting major hurdles to play in Friday night's NRL showdown with the North Queensland in Townsville.
Scan results on Prince's injured hamstring will be known on Tuesday while on Monday Bird was hit with a grade one striking charge after appearing to collect Canberra halfback Matt Orford with a forearm in the Titans' 23-22 win over the Raiders.
The Titans have until midday on Tuesday to notify the NRL if they plan to fight the charge.
Even though it's a low grade, Bird, who has carry over points, would still miss the clash if he takes an early guilty plea.
If he fights the charge and loses, he still only misses a week.
With the injury cloud over Prince and with utility ace Preston Campbell (knee) sidelined, the club may be forced to try and defend Bird or risk going up against an in-form Cowboys pairing of Johnathan Thurston and Ray Thompson with an untried halves combination.
Fullback William Zillman jumped into halfback when Campbell was injured in the second half against the Raiders and South Sydney recruit Luke Capewell played five-eighth in the club's opening few games of the season.
Young winger David Mead could play fullback at a pinch.
Prince had praised Bird's display at five-eighth in his absence against the Raiders before the judiciary charge was known.
The former NSW pivot, who many believe is more damaging and intimidating in the second-row, threw the final overhead pass for forward Anthony Laffranchi who scored a converted try that tied the match at 22-all with seconds remaining.
Bird then neatly slotted the game-winning field goal in golden point from a scrum win.
"I thought he played a traditional five-eighth game," Prince said.
"He took the line on when it was time to take it on, he looked to shift when it was time to shift, it was a really good balance and he kicked really well.
"It was just a typical five-eighth role."
Prince said he would be disappointed to miss the chance of going up against Thurston.
"We'll have to wait and see, it's all positive signs at the moment," he said before heading off for scans.
"I had a run this morning and it seems to have pulled up ok.
"I've got scans this afternoon and that will tell us exactly what's going and give us some positive news."
The possible returns from injury of hard working lock Ashley Harrison and busy hooker Nathan Friend would be massive in helping shut down the running games of Thurston, Matt Bowen and Aaron Payne.
Prince said the players could use the win over Canberra as a springboard to getting their season back on track against the Cowboys.
"We showed some guts and grit at the weekend and with a few guys coming back things may be starting to fall into place a little, although we can't rest on that," he said.
Originally Posted by nrl.com
I thought Bird has his best game at 5/8 for the titans against the Raiders and I didn't realise he could kick the ball so well.
Originally Posted by nrl.com
Titan Bird accepts one-match ban
THE Titans face the prospect of taking on the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday night without their two first-choice halves after five-eighth Greg Bird today accepted a one-match ban for striking.
Bird was hit with a grade one charge by the match review panel on Monday over a 66th minute incident involving Raiders halfback Matt Orford in his matchwinning performance in Canberra.
The Titans were surprised by the charge given the incident failed to result in a penalty during Saturday night's, which the Coast won 23-22 in golden-point extra-time on the back of a Bird field goal.
His suspension leaves the Titans sweating on the fitness of skipper Scott Prince after he missed Saturday's win in Canberra with a hamstring injury.
Prince is confident of receiving positive news when he gets the results of scans on his hamstring injury today but will be given until game day to prove his fitness.
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...st-titans.html
You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans!
Not a good sign heading into a very difficult match up against a strong North Queensland team at Dairy Farmers this week.
You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans!
I also thought Bird was excellent without Prince. Surely, Prince needs to get fit either physically or mentally - something is obviously wrong with his preparation. Friend 9, Zilly 7, Bird 6 and Mead 1 has a lot of appeal with the Campbell 6 and Bird backrow rotation option a bonus.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Bird...very good back rower...has good ball skills to suit lock and loves the tough stuff
Ordinary 5/8
Birdman is the answer to our utility position. He can play back row, lock, 5/8 and centres at a push. We have got to keep this bloke.
Any info on Bird for next year? Been hearing some rumors that he may not be with us next season.
By Nathan Ryan
5 May 2011 05:25PM EST
OFF-contract Parramatta halfback Jeff Robson has no shortage of offers for next season in the wake of the club signing Chris Sandow for the next four years.
According to Robson?s manager Gavin Orr, the 28-year-old who led the Eels to a grand final in 2009 has at least two Sydney clubs chasing his signature.
They don't include, Cronulla who are busy working on the retention of young five-eighth Albert Kelly.
With halves partner Daniel Mortimer signed until 2012, Robson has been offered a one-year extension from the Eels but is weighing up his other options.
?He?s had the Eels contract offer for a while,? Orr told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.
?He?s just focused on performing well for the Eels each week.?
On top of the two Sydney-based sides, he is said to have four clubs in the Super League searching for a half-five-eighth.
The Leeton junior made his debut for Manly in 2004, but only managed to register six games for the Sea Eagles over a four-year period.
Signing year-to-year deals, he signed a two-year deal with the Eels in 2009 which runs out at the end of the year.
South Sydney is without a halfback for next season, with Sandow announcing on Wednesday he had signed with the club - leaving Robson out of favour.
Meanwhile Roosters forwards Daniel Conn has three clubs interested in his services next season.
Off contract with the tricolours, the tattooed former Titan is searching for a further two seasons but remains hopeful of staying at the club despite them having no immediate plans or his future.
?We have done nothing yet,? recruitment manager Peter O?Sullivan told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.
?He?s off contract this year and we haven?t made any decisions going forward.?
In more good news for Titans fans, Greg Bird has activated a year extension on his contract to remain at the Titans until the end of 2012.
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au
Originally Posted by nrl.com
glad to see Bird will be back next year. He really ups the physicality of the team when he is in the side (for better or for worse).
"You make sure they remember, *forever*, the night they played the Titans!"
great news especially with Boof gone
Awesome! was worried we were gonna lose him along with Laffranchi
Good to see him staying.
He annoys the crap out of me sometimes but he is a good player