Jack of all trades eying return to centres under Flanno

Jack Bird has told new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan that he wants to play in the centres next season as the former NSW Origin utility vowed to get back to his best under the man he won a premiership with at Cronulla.

Bird, who is closing in on a return to full contact training after a frustrating 2023 season hampered by shoulder and knee problems, played in the centres in the Sharks' 2016 grand final defeat of Melbourne.

However, Bird has been used almost exclusively in the forwards – either in the second-row or at lock - during the last two seasons with St George Illawarra and the 28-year-old told Flanagan he would prefer to revert to the centres.

"I've played my best footy under Flanno at centre, so that's where I want to play,” Bird said. "Especially with how my body is these days, I want to pick my moments. 

"Obviously I haven't played centre in a long time, so I have to work hard. I'm feeling fast enough to play centre. I'm feeling faster than I was last year, that's for sure.”

While he hasn’t been able to do any contact training as he recovers from shoulder surgery, Bird has still taken part in ball work and revealed he had been training at centre, as well as second-row.

With Flanagan considering moving Zac Lomax to fullback, Bird could partner Tonga international Moses Suli in the centres.

"I have had a few conversations about what my role is going to be and I'm going to have to train hard to make the squad,” Bird said.

"No one is guaranteed a position and so I just have to keep training hard and wherever I end up, I end up.

"I've been training at centre and in the back row, but I would like to get away from the forwards and get back to the backs.

"Zac has been training at centre as well and we've been chopping and changing. I think Zac can play anywhere on the field, so if I play in the centres put him in the backrow.”

Bird, who played five Origins in 2016 and 2017, spent two weeks in NSW Cup at the end of last season after being dropped from the NRL team but he believes Flanagan can again get the best out of him.

"Last year was last year. Stuff happens. It was probably a good wake-up call. I want to play first grade, I don't want to play reserve grade,” he said.

"I think I'm a first grader and getting dropped back there ... hopefully this year is going to be a better year for myself and the team, and I think Flanno can bring the best out of me so I don't get dropped again.

“I enjoy being coached by Flanno. It's been refreshing. Me and Flanno get on pretty well, we can chat, we can joke, there's no BS with him.

"You can't stuff around with Flanno, he'll get up you -  especially me, he gets up me all the time.”

Asked if he could regain his best form, Bird said: "I think I can. Not many people believe that I can but you've got to believe in yourself and I do believe in myself that I can get back to my best - if not better”. 

While he has managed to play 61 matches in three seasons for the Red V, Bird is still coping with the impact of serious knee injuries that limited him to just 17 appearances for the Broncos in three years.

Bird underwent a clean-out before the start of last season but from Round 10 onwards he found himself battling constant pain in both knees.