Backline utility ace Jack Bird has pledged his long-term allegiance to Cronulla and is hoping to settle his future before the start of the Sharks’ 2017 NRL title defence.
The NSW State of Origin star is among the hottest properties off contract at the end of next season, but says as long as the Sharks table a reasonable offer he’ll almost certainly remain with the premiers.
“I just want to be comfortable where I am. I’m happy to stay at the Sharks. I want to stay at the Sharks,” Bird said at Wednesday’s launch of the Auckland Nines in Sydney.
“Hopefully by the start of the season I want to try and get it sorted by then. I don’t want to go into the footy season thinking where I’m going to be playing (in 2018).
Bird’s loyalty pledge will be welcomed by the Sharks, with a raft of rival clubs including Newcastle and Gold Coast understood to be willing to throw huge money at the grand final hero.
Bird admits money is a factor but so too is camradrie, with the representative ace keen to remain alongside his grand final teammates, including housemate and fellow young gun Valentine Holmes.
“It’s a short career. You’re going to take as much as you can get to have a good career and be set for after footy,” said Bird, who also harbours long-term captaincy aspirations at the Sharks.
“But I’m not really demanding that much, to be honest. I’m not that kind of guy. I just like playing footy if I got offered the minimum wage I’d probably play.”
With Ben Barba suspended for 12 weeks and his future at the club up in the air, Bird is even willing to give Holmes first crack at the vacant fullback position.
“I’m happy at centre. To be honest, it doesn’t really bother me (where I play) besides winger,” he said.
“But in saying that, anywhere to be around the ball I guess. I enjoy the halves but I’m not much of an organiser. I’m more of a runner.”
Just as Bird is hoping to recommit to the Sharks, the incumbent Blues five-eighth is confident that both Barba and Holmes – who is also off contract in 2018 – will stay put.
“Obviously (Barba’s) a big loss, but I’m sure he’ll be back during the year at some time and he’s got all our support behind him,” he said.
Bird said he collected Holmes from the airport following his return last week from NFL trials in America.
“He’d be a class wide receiver, to be honest. He’s got the speed, he can catch the ball,” Bird said.
“It’s just the transition of changing from rugby league to the NFL. It’s a different game.
“But I’ve got all the faith in the world in Val and I’m sure he’d do a good job if he ever went over there.
“But I don’t think he’s going anywhere to be honest. He’ll be at the Sharks for a long time.”
