There has been much speculation about his future, but Greg Bird has quelled any doubts of a departure – with the Titans utility activating the clause in his contract, that will see him remain with the Titans until the end of next season.
With his home team Cronulla being the favourites to snare his signature, Gavin Orr, Bird’s manager – said that his client was pleased to remain on the Gold Coast.
“We have just agreed for him to stay there for one more year,” Bird’s manager Gavin Orr confirmed.
Bird is a firm believer of the club’s strong recruitment drive, and is looking forward to what the future brings for the Titans, in the 2012 NRL season.
“I’m very happy up here and I’m not thinking about anything else to be honest,” Bird said.
“I started back in 2002 (with Cronulla) my first year we went all the way through to the preliminary final and I thought that was going to be like that every year.
“I soon found out that wasn’t to be, it’s quite hard to get to the top and go all the way through (to the grand final).
“I haven’t played a lot of semi-final football recently to share a premiership win with these guys would be a massive achievement and my major goal.”
One added impetus for Bird, is the chance to play with one of his former team-mates Luke Douglas, who has joined the Titans from the Sharks.
“I haven’t played with him since 2008. Then he was probably one of the best front rowers I’ve played with and he has only improved since then,” Bird said.
“I’ve spoken to our coaching staff and they’ve said he is the best front rower they’ve ever seen. That’s a massive call from them but I think he warrants that sort of status.
“He is just the complete player. He has got skills. He is strong in defence, he carts it up well and has good vision for a front rower and he is tough.
“What you want from front rowers is toughness and to go out and play 148 games in a row from your debut as a front rower, the toughest position on the field, I think is a compliment to him.”