Jack Bird coy over new long-term St George Illawarra Dragons deal
St George Illawarra Dragons star Jack Bird remained coy when quizzed over reports he is about to pen a new long-term deal, but did say he believes his best days are ahead of him.
The 27-year-old won a premiership with Cronulla earlier in his career before making a switch to the Broncos. He had a troubled time with the Broncos when making just 17 appearances. Injuries did not help after he was ruled out of the 2020 campaign with a ruptured ACL.
Bird appears to have got his career back on tracks with the Dragons. He penned a two-year deal which is due to expire at the end of this season.
Jack Bird deal reported
Reports have suggested that he is poised to sign a new three-year deal. That has yet to be confirmed by the club and Bird also stayed tightlipped when grilled by the media.
Bird, who plays at centre and five-eighth, has made 29 appearances for the Dragons. And for now he is staying focused on keeping himself fit so he can build on that figure. He has played eight games so far this season.
“I haven’t played much footy in the last few years. I’ve been injured. So I haven’t really shown what I can do. I know personally that I still have a lot of footy in me,” Bird told reporters.
“Whether anyone believes that or not, I do. I just know I can play better footy than I’m playing at the moment, and I’m ready to prove that.”
Bird says his experiences on the injury front have made him stronger. And he believes they will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career.
Injury issues for Bird
“I’ve always been taught to never give up,” Bird added. “So when those injuries happened I knew that I wasn’t done. I knew I had plenty more to give and knew I wasn’t going to give up. I’ve been in that position before.
“When I was a young fella I did an ACL and I had rheumatoid arthritis and got told I was never going to play footy again, and when I started playing again I knew could really stop me.”
Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels have both been linked. However Bird now looks set to stay with the Dragons. Reports claim the first two years of Bird’s deal will be worth $550,000 a season.
The Dragons are in action when they face the Titans in the Magic Round on Saturday.
