Bird Must Take Flight After Sharks Cut Him Loose

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday January 17, 2009

Jamie Pandaram

GREG BIRD has been prevented from playing in the NRL this year by Cronulla, who yesterday terminated the representative back-rower's contract.

Bird must now relocate to Britain to play for a Super League club, which will also rule him out of contention for State of Origin and Australian duties for at least a year.

Bird has already rejected an offer from the battling Wakefield Wildcats, and it is believed glamour sides Wigan, Bradford and Warrington are locked in a three-way tussle to land the former Australian five-eighth. It is believed the Wakefield deal was worth #100,000 ($221,200) a season.

It came as no surprise Cronulla sacked Bird, after suspending him indefinitely when he was charged for allegedly wounding his girlfriend in August and then signing Reni Maitua, regarded as a ready-made replacement, from the Bulldogs last month.

The Sharks released a statement which said Bird's departure was based on "a mutual agreement", and it is not clear what amount - if any - the club paid him to sever ties.

"The two parties have today signed off on a document [Deed of Release] which releases both the Sharks and Greg Bird from their respective contractual obligations and arrangements," the statement said.

"While the terms of the release are confidential, it can be confirmed that included in the conditions Greg Bird will not register an NRL contract for 2009 nor play for another NRL club during the 2009 season."

Bird had fought to stay at Cronulla or be allowed to play for another NRL club during the negotiations, but as was the case with Canberra's wayward star Todd Carney, the league wants to prevent rival teams capitalising when clubs sack players for behavioural breaches.

Realising his chances were grim with the NRL backing Cronulla, Bird recently sought a payout from the Sharks believed to be less than $100,000, despite earning $360,000 a year.

If Bird signs with a Super League club, he would have to fly back to Sydney in April to face charges of reckless wounding, public mischief and making false accusations over the incident, after which his girlfriend Katie Milligan required surgery for a fractured eye socket.

Bird would also need to secure a British work visa before he could play for a Super League club.

Meanwhile, the Sharks will play the first pre-season trial match next Saturday against Canberra in Queanbeyan, while South Sydney return to Redfern against Wests Tigers on February 8.

Israel Folua may get a chance to play against his former Melbourne teammates before the season proper is under way, with his new club Brisbane playing a trial against the Storm on February 28.

2009 NRL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Saturday 24th January: Raiders v Sharks, Seiffert Oval (Queanbeyan, NSW).

Saturday 7th February: Broncos v Wide Bay Selection, Albert Park (Gympie, Qld).

Sunday 8th: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, Redfern Oval (Redfern, NSW). (Return to Redfern).

Thursday 12th: Warriors v Storm, Waikato Stadium (Hamilton, New Zealand).

Saturday 14th: Dragons v Roosters, Members Equity Stadium (Perth, WA); Eels v Panthers, Exies Oval (Griffith, NSW); Rabbitohs v Panthers, BCU International Stadium (Coffs Harbour, NSW); Broncos v Titans, Kougari Oval (Wynnum, Qld) 7pm.

Friday 20th: Storm v Knights, VISY Park (Melbourne, Victoria).

Saturday 21st: Broncos v Raiders, Dolphin Oval (Redcliffe, Qld) 7pm; Dragons v Bulldogs, WIN Stadium (Wollongong, NSW). (Mercury Challenge); Panthers v Eels, CUA Stadium (Penrith, NSW); Titans v Sharks, Richardson Park (Darwin, NT).

Sunday 22nd: Roosters v Wests Tigers, SFS (Sydney, NSW) (Foundation Cup); Warriors v Cowboys, North Harbour Stadium, (Auckland, New Zealand); Harlequins v Sea Eagles, The Stoop, (London, United Kingdom).

Saturday 28th: Rabbitohs v Dragons, ANZ Stadium (Homebush, NSW) (Charity Shield); Raiders v Bulldogs, Meakin Park (Logan, Qld); Storm v Broncos, Stockland Park (Kawana Waters, Qld); Knights v Sharks, Baddeley Park (Cessnock, NSW); Eels v Roosters, Central Coast Stadium (Gosford, NSW); Cowboys v Panthers, Barlow Park (Cairns, Qld); Titans v Warriors, Oaks Oval (Lismore, NSW).

Sunday 1st March: Leeds v Sea Eagles, Elland Road, (Leeds, United Kingdom) World Club Challenge.

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

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