Jack Bird’s monster deal a monster gamble

For those living under a rock, with their eyes closed, and fingers in their ears, current Shark superstar Jack Bird has signed a four-year, multi-million dollar deal to join the Brisbane Broncos from 2018 onward.

The numbers being mentioned for the contract range anywhere from $700,000 a season, up to the magic million dollar mark. It is reported that around $300,000 a season will come via third party deals, however, that is purely speculation.

It's pretty much accepted that the monetary value of the contract accepted by Bird is eye-watering, as confirmed by members of the Sharks management who claimed to have been "blown out of the water" by the Broncos offer, despite offering to make Bird the best-paid player in the history of the club.

Considering that Paul Gallen, James Maloney and the recently re-signed Valentine Holmes are on the Sharks books, that is a monster figure, probably upwards of the reported $800,000 a year Gallen was either on or is currently on.

Social media absolutely erupted following the announcement, with a wide variety of responses. Some supported Bird and the Broncos, other laughed at the reported figures, while others absolutely hammered the young future Bronco and the club itself.

Regardless of opinion, and the final figure, the deal looks as though it will be a monster gamble for all three major stakeholders; the Broncos, Bird himself, and the Sharks.

Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos, after deciding that they would not outlay the reported almost million a season required to retain Ben Hunt, have gone out and spent just as much money on a largely untested half.

Bird won rookie of the year playing in the halves for the Sharks in 2015 and looked like a player with 100 games under his belt in his first finals game, rather than a player with under 25 games to his name.

His running game is supreme, and his ball-playing ability is one of great potential. However, he showed no signs of a developed kicking game, often relying on veteran Jeff Robson to guide the side around from the boot.

That side of his game will develop, and Bird is so skilful it wouldn't surprise me if he excels from the get go, but given that Anthony Milford is hardly in the Thurston or Reynolds class with the boot, it's a huge gamble.

Bird's defence is also under scrutiny. In the centres, he has defended well, but at half he will be required to make many more tackles. He will be targeted by opposition big men and will need to tackle for eighty minutes.

In his rookie year, no one paid any attention to the odd missed tackle as he was playing above himself and out of position. Once again, this will take time to develop, but Bird is still maturing.

The question remains if the Broncos weren't willing to pay big money for an established star half, what has changed that they are suddenly willing to gamble on a young player more suited to a running back position?

Bird may move to fullback, but that would require the game's best number one being shifted from his favoured position. Bennett has good form converting fullbacks into the halves, so I wouldn't write it off, but Boyd isn't in his mid-twenties and is in career best form. I can't see him shifting.

Bird is seen as a long-term fullback, and a stint in the halves may help his ball-playing ability from the custodian role in the long-term. Being a young player, chopping and changing his role could ultimately prove detrimental.

Big money, big gamble.

Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks have refused to outlay a million dollars-plus on a player who despite being an incredible talent, has never really looked at home.

Bird wants to play at fullback, or in the halves. The Sharks problem here is that they have one of the very few young players who I would rate ahead of bird in terms of talent and potential in Valentine Holmes occupying the number one jumper. They also have two premiership-winning halves they would be borderline insane to split.

Birds decision will surely mean the Sharks will have no problem in retaining Chad Townsend.

That said, the Sharks are taking a gamble themselves by not moving the Earth to re-sign a rare talent.

Bird's injection was the spark needed to steer their 2016 season to a finals birth. They looked like shot ducks prior to Bird's debut against the Roosters. From there, they looked a completely different side.

Last year Bird was among the clubs best. He was a star on Grand Final day and played a huge role in the club's maiden premiership. His combination with Bird was the game's most lethal, perhaps only Leilua and Rapana aside.

Bird is also a super versatile player and was seen by some as the heir apparent to skipper Paul Gallen. Although some have argued he doesn't have the size to justify a move to lock, Bird has insisted otherwise.

The Sharks have lost a super player with ten-plus years available to build a career. He's almost certain to play Origin for the second straight season, and wouldn't look out of position in the green and gold in the near future.

Ultimately the Sharks couldn't justify investing a million dollars in a centre who wants to play fullback. In doing so they've lost a potential ten-year five-eighth.

Jack Bird

What has been overlooked in this is that Bird is taking a big risk himself. He could have re-signed for the Sharks for $600,000 a season and continued to become one of the game's elite centres.

The Sharks won the title last season and look in fair shape to launch another assault in 2017.

Bird is playing incredible football and has thrived in a big way under Shane Flanagan.

The Sharks fans love him, and his combinations with Holmes, Townsend and co. are first class. His form is so good that he is almost an automatic bench selection for Origin.

By uprooting himself and moving out of his comfort zone, Bird is taking a huge risk. He's also backing himself to be successful moving back into the halves and has the added pressure of a monster contract over his head.

DCE, who is far more experienced than Bird, and in all fairness probably possessed the more natural talent of the two, struggled massively under the pressure of a big money deal.

Every time Bird has a bad game or suffers a drop off in form, he will come under intense scrutiny from Broncos fans. I would wager that Sharks fans will take enjoyment from any downturn in form also.

It's obvious, shown by his form and development, that Bird has the near-perfect environment in the Shire. He has a coach who believes in him and a fan base who love him.

Who knows, the move may prove to provide Bird with an even better environment for him to thrive under, but it may not. A change of system, or coach, routine, or even scenery, could change things.

Bird was quoted as saying he missed his mates and was even homesick, after moving from the Dragons to the Sharks. That will be multiplied many times over considering he is now 1000 kilometres further away.

Plus, I can think of a former Shark, who while enjoying career best form, and regular rep jerseys all but threw his career away by accepting a huge money deal in an environment that not only stunted his development but sent him backwards at a rate of knots.

The Broncos set up is certainly no Knights basket-case, but Bird certainly hasn't taken the safe option.

Will the gamble pay off for the Broncos? Will the Sharks rue the decision not to invest in Bird? Will Bird himself look back and regret this decision, or will he be sipping fine wine and toasting another premiership win, this time in Maroon?

Only time will tell