Twist of fate in Bird’s milestone game

Dragons star Jack Bird says it feels like a “full circle” moment as he prepares to return where it all started at Shark Park when he brings up the 150-game milestone that has taken longer than expected due to a series of devastating injury setbacks.

Bird made his NRL debut off the bench against the Titans in 2015 and was part of the club’s breakthrough premiership win the following season when he was coached by Shane Flanagan who joined the Red V this year.

Bird played one more season in the Shire before an unsuccessful move to the Broncos, but he’s settled down at the Dragons where he’s been since 2021 and is just relieved to bring up the milestone that will fittingly take place against the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium on Sunday.

“It’s taken it’s time, I’ve been around for a while now,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out there because it’s full circle for me. I got my debut at the Sharks at Shark Park, so to play my 150th there against my old club where it all started, I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Sharks have dominated the rivalry in recent years, but form generally goes out the window when these local rivals go at it on a Sunday afternoon in front of what should be a packed stadium.

Flanagan lit the fuse just minutes after his side’s heavy loss on Anzac Day by reminding the Sharks he’s the only coach to have won them a premiership, with Sunday’s game to be his first as a visiting head coach against the club where he enjoyed so much success.

Bird has been on both sides of the local derby and knows the hatred is just as strong as ever.

“They talk about little brother and big brother, and I feel like there’s a bit of tension between the two clubs,” he said.

“I don’t think they like each other very much, and the fans definitely don’t like one another.

“It’s a very special moment for the clubs, so you want to go out there and win for your club because whoever wins is the big brother, and whoever loses is the little brother.

“I played for both teams, and it’s something special for the clubs, so we’ve got to go out there and try to be the big brother this week.

“I remember when I played for the Sharks we hated the Dragons and vice versa.”

Bird confirmed he’d move to the left edge to replace Mosese Suli (head knock), which means Zac Lomax will keep his spot at right centre.

The Dragons are desperate to make amends after they conceded 60 points against the Roosters, but it won’t be easy against a Sharks side that leads the league.

“It was kind of embarrassing as a collective, and it’s something that we addressed,” Bird said.

“It’s something we’ve got to kind of forget and move forward from, and if we’re going to improve in the season, it’s something we can’t look back at.

“It’s just positive vibes and hopefully we improve because last week wasn’t up to standard and it was quite embarrassing.”