OFFICIAL Jack Bird #299

Rock Hopper Steve said:
There was a bit of a sniff that Blore wanted to come back to Sydney for personal reasons I would take him, bit mechanical but could do a job.

But you know the Storm, stingy pricks always want something in return, even less chance of that happening now with no return in sight for Katoa.
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I agree that Shawn Blore is a good player, but very robotical and I am not sure he is as good as what we now have.
We should be ok for edge back rowers providing both Sam Fainu and KPP run the ball with purpose each and every game and providing our fringe players keep improving and provide capable backup when required.
We could still do with better quality leg speed through the middle with our ball carries and we could definitely do with better line speed when defending.
Hoping a fit and motivated squad will see better quality leg speed with our ball carries happen and we have to hope a better focus and mindset improves our line speed when defending.
One player I would keep tracking is Ray Stone as I think there is a chance he doesn’t get much game time with the Dolphins early in 2026 purely because they have a lot of competition and depth at 13.
If that happens there could be some chance of an early get out for him to sign elsewhere and you would think his aggression and high energy would offer us a point of difference that we have often been lacking over the past few seasons.
 
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He probably wants to be more involved in first grade team but at present I can't see him being a regular. Probably getting frustrated - it's time to go.
 

Tigers star released to join new club;​

​

Fox League from Fox Sports
January 31st, 2026 10:56 am

The Wests Tigers have released Jack Bird from the final year of his contract to make the switch to Super League side Leeds Rhinos effective immediately.

Code Sports reported Bird has signed a deal with Leeds under former Eels coach Brad Arthur, cutting short his two year deal with the Tigers.

Bird had been linked with a swap deal with Manly forward Nathan Brown, but that fell over at the final hurdle.

The 30-year-old had been in talks with the London Broncos, but will instead join Leeds.

The versatile centre and back-rower recently attended the Tigers season launch, but is expected to start with the Rhinos in the coming weeks.

Bird fell out of favour with the Tigers midway through the 2025 season, and was not selected for their final six games, before being given permission to leave at the end of the year.

Bird has scored 36 tries in 173 games for the Sharks, Broncos, Dragons and Tigers since his debut in 2015 and won a title with Cronulla in 2016.

He has also played five Origins for NSW, but his representative career was stalled by some brutal injury setbacks at the Broncos.

Jack Bird playing for Tigers. Picture: NRL Images
Jack Bird playing for Tigers. Picture: NRL ImagesSource: Supplied



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www.foxsports.com.au

Tigers star released to join new club; Dragons in talks to extend veteran — Transfer Whispers

Tigers star released to join new club; Dragons in talks to extend veteran — Transfer Whispers
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 
As a signing, he was obviously overshadowed by Luai, May and Turuva. Once upon a time he would have been a marquee signing for us, but given the others, he was a little easier to stomach. But just one of those guys who might have been a good buy five years earlier. It’s a shame injuries have ravaged him. Had all the attributes to be a star.
 
Vicious said:
I agree that Shawn Blore is a good player, but very robotical and I am not sure he is as good as what we now have.
We should be ok for edge back rowers providing both Sam Fainu and KPP run the ball with purpose each and every game and providing our fringe players keep improving and provide capable backup when required.
We could still do with better quality leg speed through the middle with our ball carries and we could definitely do with better line speed when defending.
Hoping a fit and motivated squad will see better quality leg speed with our ball carries happen and we have to hope a better focus and mindset improves our line speed when defending.
One player I would keep tracking is Ray Stone as I think there is a chance he doesn’t get much game time with the Dolphins early in 2026 purely because they have a lot of competition and depth at 13.
If that happens there could be some chance of an early get out for him to sign elsewhere and you would think his aggression and high energy would offer us a point of difference that we have often been lacking over the past few seasons.
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I'm fine with not pursuing Blore. I don't think he is any better (or any worse) than what Fainu will be or KPP can be. I don't however see him as being robotic in any way. He has shown he enjoys the physical side of the game. He is a prolific offloader when being allowed to do so. He runs good lines but just not that explosive, tackle breaking line runner.
Stone would offer a little bit of aggression but he is rather limited from a skills perspective and doesn't have the size to intimidate with his aggression. Wouldn't be a bad addition but not likely to lift the club at all.
 
Blore in thay Melbourne system 8am an ok play big no to him coming back into our pack.
Sam Fainu and KPP do just as good a job as Blore with more ceiling
expecting a big year from Sam Fainu and Ethan Roberts
I think a huge year for Latu Fainu, so good it pushes AD to 13 type role
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
Scoring tries on the wing, valued as a winger. good money and great location on the Coast but wanted more at the Eels. Some don't appreciate it when they have it good.
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Funnily enough mate I agree with what you say but after the news of Toa's injury if he wanted our right centre position, I would personally carry the red carpet, roll it out and vacuum it clean for entry to the COE.
 
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Tigerstigerstigers said:
Toa injury ?
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Mentioned on forum the last couple of days that the shoulder issue he has will never be 100% even if he has surgery and will affect his palm off from close to the body.

I don't like the sound of it we've seen how he plays with any sort of a niggle, just a matter of time before he aggravates it again, just as well we have Makasini probably chomping at the bit if he can slot in right side.
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Mentioned on forum the last couple of days that the shoulder issue he has will never be 100% even if he has surgery and will affect his palm off from close to the body.

I don't like the sound of it we've seen how he plays with any sort of a niggle, just a matter of time before he aggravates it again, just as well we have Makasini probably chomping at the bit if he can slot in right side.
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I would take
Lomax no problem. Match winner and goal kicker . I swear people don’t like winning . We get screwed over so often it’s ridiculous, one going the other way would be great
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
Mentioned on forum the last couple of days that the shoulder issue he has will never be 100% even if he has surgery and will affect his palm off from close to the body.

I don't like the sound of it we've seen how he plays with any sort of a niggle, just a matter of time before he aggravates it again, just as well we have Makasini probably chomping at the bit if he can slot in right side.
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Magnificent. And we extended his contract last year. If true was a medical check done? As you say we have Makasini waiting in the wings for an opportunity either from poor form / injury to Toa.

As to the thread topic glad for both WT and Bird to get best out of this. Nothing against Bird but he seemed out of place for NRL in 2025- too small forwards and too slow for backs. I think the ESL can give him a few more years as a useful player in a somewhat quieter game.
 
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