Dragons star Jack Bird has opened up on his ongoing battle with injury, admitting his uncertainty and frustration with his own body this year.
The 28-year-old utility has a well-documented injury history, battling back from multiple serious knee injuries while at the Broncos, before arriving at the Dragons two years ago.
Bird has been a mainstay for St George Illawarra since returning to his junior club, featuring on 57 occasions, but had missed a fortnight prior to the side's 48-18 loss to the Warriors after being 'rested' with knee soreness.
Speaking to reporters after the Round 17 defeat, Bird explained the reasons for his recent absence and admitted the side's struggles were taking its toll.
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“Obviously I’ve had some problems with my knees in the past, but this doesn’t really have too much to do with my recent surgeries or injuries," he said.
"It’s tendonitis in the back of my knee, so it’s something to do with load… it’s a little bit sore, I felt alright out there tonight, but I hurt my other knee tonight in my popliteus. It’s hard because my knees feel good, everything around my knees feel good – I don’t know what is letting me down.
“I’ve had my tests… he’s ticked it off that it’s not arthritis, so that’s a good sign. I went and got scans on both my knees in the last two weeks and they came back with nothing relatively to worry about.
"It’s got to be something a bit deeper than what we can actually see. It’s alright sometimes, but when I’m doing back-to-back training sessions, it’s a bit sore. Once I’m warmed up, I’m okay.
"The boys had been playing so well the past month, so I feel like we just didn’t play to the intent they’ve been playing to. I kind of feel like when I come back, we lose games, so maybe I should sit out.
"I take accountability obviously and I like to win, and we haven’t won much with me on the paddock... I don’t want to blame myself."
Jack Bird ready to welcome Shane Flanagan to the Dragons
If one man can help rejuvenate Bird's career, it will be incoming Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.
The pair built a strong relationship during their time at Cronulla, with Bird a focal point of the club's maiden premiership victory in 2016 under Flanagan's tutelage.
And with Flanagan officially signing a three-year deal beginning in 2024, Bird is ready to welcome him back into the fold and hopes he can get the struggling outfit back on track.
“Flanno is massive, I can’t wait for him to get here obviously," Bird said.
"I probably played my best football under him, so hopefully I can get my body right and get it sorted for next year.
“We had a pretty strong squad at the Sharks – a lot of veterans that have been there and done that. With Flanno, it’s something strong of his, that he brings a team together and everything we do, we do it together and that’s something I’m looking forward to.
“At the Sharks, there was nothing like it. It was pretty crazy when you think about it, I kind of miss it sometimes. That’s something he will bring to this club; he will bring a great culture and he will get us working together.
"Carry [interim coach Ryan Carr] has done a great job here in the last few weeks and all the boys love him, so it’s kind of the same with Flanno, you will love playing for him.
"He’s got that aura about him – something like Wayne Bennett… people love playing under him. I can’t wait to play with Flanno again and I’m looking forward to it."
