Dragons star stays despite possible exit, Shark takes blame for field goal blunder

bdixlivetvAugust 19, 2024


Jack Bird expects to be at St. George Illawarra next season despite being given permission to speak to rival clubs.

Bird played only his second NRL game in just under three months on Sunday, filling in as a link-up and eighth in the Dragons’ crucial 32-16 win over Gold Coast.

The 29-year-old was a mainstay in the Dragons’ defence in the opening stages of the season but struggled to return to the top flight after suffering a minor ankle injury.

This prompted the former Dally M Rookie of the Year to ask for permission to look elsewhere as he still had a year left on his contract with the Dragons.

But speaking for the first time since the approval was granted, Bird said he expects to be with the Dragons in 2025.

“I’m more likely to be here next year. Of course, a lot can happen in football in a week. But I’m focused on this team and being here next year,” Bird said.

“I have another contract here next year.

“Of course they gave me permission, but nothing has been done. I’ll still be here next year, my focus is still on the club.

“I haven’t spoken to any other club, it was just to get a good feeling about who is out there. But I’m still 100 percent behind this team and this club.”

Bird is also adamant that after 10 seasons in the NRL, he is not nearing the end of his career.

“I’m only 29, so I think I have four good years left if my body holds up. And right now it’s going well,” Bird said.

“Of course it’s always hard not to play in the first division (in recent months). But that’s football, that’s business.

“You have to train hard, play well and try to get back into it. A position is not given to you.

“I’ve been playing in the NSW Cup for the last few weeks, we’ve had a few wins and I’ve really enjoyed it there. It’s step by step, you don’t have to look too far into the future.”

MUDGEE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 24: Jack Bird of the Dragons attempts to pass during the NRL pre-season challenge match between the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at Glen Willow Sporting Complex on February 24, 2024 in Mudgee, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Jack Bird was fit and firing for the Dragons in Mudgee. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Bird will likely have the chance to stay in the NRL for the final three weeks of the regular season, deputising for the suspended Kyle Flanagan in the link/eight position.

The Dragons play Cronulla in Wollongong on Sunday and have their fate in their own hands as they sit eighth on the ladder.

Bird has not played with the No. 6 since the start of 2022, but said he was told not to overdo it in the half.

“When I get back there, I’m going to keep it simple, do what I have to do and not try too hard,” Bird said.

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Atkinson takes the blame for blocker blunder

Daniel Atkinson took personal blame for Cronulla being denied a potentially game-winning field goal against Newcastle, saying the referees did the right thing when they penalised the Sharks for illegal blocking.

Both Atkinson and Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga kicked successful field goals in the final minutes of the Sharks’ win on Sunday, but they were disallowed because their teammates prevented the defense from running unhindered toward the ball.

Referee Gerard Sutton accused Newcastle’s Mat Croker and Adam Elliott as well as Sharks strikers Cam McInnes and Royce Hunt of obstructing the defence in the run-up to the alleged one-point shots.

During pre-season, the NRL sent clubs a memorandum reinforcing this rule, stating: “A penalty may be assessed if one or more players take up a position near the field of play… (or) are in the defensive line or in front of the field of play and, in the opinion of the referee, impede one or more defenders, whether or not physical contact occurs.”

Atkinson kicked a field goal in extra time to win the game and likely end Newcastle’s hopes of reaching the final, but Knights coach Adam O’Brien felt his team’s field goal should have been awarded earlier.

“I also thought her (Atkinson’s) goal was a field goal,” O’Brien said after the 19-18 loss at Shark Park.

“But Graham (Annesley, NRL football boss) will find a way to spruce it up.”

Ponga shared O’Brien’s frustration after a loss that leaves the Knights unable to finish the season with a win and relying on a number of other results to finish in the top eight.

“I agree with ‘Adsie’ (O’Brien). I’m at a loss for words, I’m pretty disappointed with the result,” said the captain.

But Atkinson could understand the decision to deny the Sharks their field goal, as he admitted that he had called for the ball at the wrong time.

After another field goal attempt was blocked moments earlier, Atkinson said he became trigger-happy and forgot to make sure his teammates cleared the way for him to make a field goal.

“Honestly, it was just stupid of me,” he said.

“I had blockers there, I was just excited because it was a fast game. It was a fair decision (from the referee).

“It didn’t upset me. I probably thought more, ‘I shouldn’t have taken that.'”

The subsequent winning goal was Atkinson’s latest triumph in his outstanding season with the injury-plagued Sharks.

Atkinson had played just one game from the bench – for Melbourne in 2022 – before appearing in 14 games this year as a replacement for Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes.

Cronulla have won nine of 12 games when Atkinson was at half-time.

AAP has learned that the Sharks have set aside money to re-sign Atkinson beyond the term of his current contract, but are currently prioritising negotiations with in-form forward Jack Williams.

Williams has no contract beyond 2024, while Atkinson has a contract for another season but could probably demand more money elsewhere.

“To be honest, I haven’t even thought about (my future). I’m still trying to stay on this team week in and week out,” Atkinson said. “I love being here, love the Sharks.”

with AAP



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