Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has revealed that star recruit Jack Bird wants to remain at Brisbane while conceding he is unhappy.
The former Shark arrived at Red Hill on a lucrative four-year deal, but has been been hampered with shoulder and sternum injuries that have restrained him to just eight games this season.
And speculation has circled that the 23-year-old wants to return to Cronulla, a move that the Brisbane super coach downplayed.
“There is no fun for him,” Bennett told The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s been through the worst, it’s all upside for him, but probably not until next year.
“It was nobody’s fault, it’s one of those things. Now it’s sorted and the recovery has taken a bit longer than we all thought it would.
“He just can’t play football. It’s not his fault or the club’s fault. It’s the business we’re in.
“It’s a tough time for him. They are young men and want to play football. He is away from family and his close mates. That is the reality of the situation but it is what it is.
“Whingeing is not going to change anything. The bottom line is to get on with life. We want Jack at the club and he knows that and I’m sure Jack wants to be there.”
Bird has not played since round 10 and may not return to the field until 2019. And teammate Matt Lodge admitted he was struggling with not being able to contribute on the field.
“It’s hard for anybody to be happy when they have missed the whole year,” Lodge said.
“I’ve been in that position a few years ago. It’s hard to enjoy being around a footy club when you can’t get on the field.
“He is probably feeling that, but it turns when you start playing and get some performances together.
“Broncos fans should get behind him and encourage him because he could help this club to a (premiership)."
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