"an extraordinary feat given his well-publicised injury battles that have included three knee reconstructions and rheumatoid arthritis."Departing Dragons star Jack Bird has revealed why he signed with the Wests Tigers, while a Warriors star could join him at the club next season. SEE THE LATEST NRL PLAYER MOVES
David Riccio and Michael Carayannis
4 min read
September 7, 2024 - 5:18PM
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Jack Bird has dispelled any notion that he is heading to the Wests Tigers for a swansong contract by declaring he wants to play until he’s 34.
The premiership-winner has also revealed that his decision to sign with the wooden spoon club was to help lead Benji Marshall’s side back to the finals for the first time in 13-years.
The St George-Illawarra utility has broken his silence on departing the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers on a two-year deal.
The 29-year-old was unable to farewell Dragons fans against the Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday after withdrawing due to back spasms in the lead-up to the match.
Jack Bird is leaving the Dragons to join the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images
The two-year deal with the Wests Tigers will take Bird’s career to an 11th season in the NRL, an extraordinary feat given his well-publicised injury battles that have included three knee reconstructions and rheumatoid arthritis.
“The way that I’ve bounced back from my injuries I’ve been pretty resilient, most people would’ve given up,’’ Bird told this masthead.
“I had three ACL surgeries over my career, rheumatoid arthritis, so to think back when my career started that I would still be playing, I’d say no way.
“But the way I’m going now, I feel like my body is holding up well and I can get through until I’m 32, even 34 hopefully.
“I actually feel great, so I don’t see this as my final contract.
“Obviously the road is getting shorter, but I feel like I’ve still got a bit to go.
“I’m only 29 and by the time the Tigers contract is over, I’ll be turning 32 and I still think I can keep going if not in the NRL, then overseas.’’
The Wests Tigers will be Bird’s fourth club after previous stints at the Sharks, Broncos and Dragons, spanning 157 NRL games.
Bird was unable to play in the Dragons final game of the season, after battling with a back injury. Picture: NRL Imagery
The former NSW Origin representative and 2016 premiership-winning centre said he was excited to be part of the Wests Tigers rebuild.
“I still think that I’ve got some good footy left in me and I like the way the Tigers are heading,’’ Bird said.
“I’m looking forward to going there and helping change their culture a bit and get them back into the finals.
“I want to challenge myself. I’m probably going to have a bigger role than any previous role I’ve had at a club.
“They’ve signed some great players and they’ve bought me for a reason to show the younger guys how to train and how to win.
“I’m excited.
“The only way is up for the Tigers. They’ve won three consecutive wooden spoons and that doesn’t bother me because I look at the squad they’ve got and they’ve got some great young players. The way I see it, if you’re not in the top eight, you may as well come last anyway.
“If we screw our heads on right at training we can go a long way.’’
Bird added that he held no animosity towards the Dragons after originally wanting to extend his future with the Red-V.
“I spoke to Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and he understands. He said he just wouldn’t have known until next year if there was a contract for me and I understand that,’’ Bird said.
“I love the club, I love the boys, I’m going to miss everyone for sure. There’s no bad blood whatsoever and I’m leaving on good terms.
Sounds promising
