Jack Bird firmly believes his best is still ahead of him with the star utility on the brink of inking a new long-term contract with St. George Illawarra.
Bird will reportedly put pen to paper on a three-year extension that will see him stay with the Dragons until at least the end of 2025, ending months of speculation about his NRL future.
The former NSW Blues star was initially tabled a two-year deal to remain in Wollongong, which he didn't accept, prompting the Eels and Dolphins to express an interest in the 27-year-old.
However, Bird has always been determined to stay with the Dragons and late last week it was revealed the club agreed to meet his demands for a longer deal by adding a third year to their offer as a mutual option.
The Saints star didn't give too much away about the new contract in an interview with Nine News on Wednesday but suggested it was on the verge of being announced.
"Nothing's been formally done just yet but it's good to finally get some clarity on my future," he said.
"I don't want to talk about it until it formally comes out from the club and I've signed the deal."
Leaving the Dragons, where he was developed as a junior, to sign with rivals Cronulla at the age of 20, Bird's NRL career skyrocketed soon after making his first-grade debut for the Sharks in 2015.
By the end of the following season, he was a premiership-winner and debutant for New South Wales and rated among the game's best attacking players.
It saw him poached by the Broncos on a rich contract, but his career took an immediately drastic turn, with Bird playing just 17 games in his three years at Red Hill
Brought home to the Dragons last year, Bird has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence under Anthony Griffin, playing 29 games and scoring eight tries.
But with his future now sorted, the Berkley Eagles junior declared he's still got a lot more to offer in the Red V.
"I haven't played much footy in the last few years, I've been injured, so I haven't really shown what I can do. I know personally that I still have a lot of footy in me," Bird said.
"Whether anyone believes that or not, I do. I just know I can play better footy than I'm playing at the moment, and I'm willing to prove that."
What is Jack Bird's best fit in Anthony Griffin's side?
While the Dragons and Bird will be relieved to have a deal for the former Origin star finally secured, it's still not clear where Bird's best fit in Griffin's side long-term is.
Bird spent most of the 2021 season at left centre but such is his utility value has been moved between five-eighth, second-row and fullback in the last two seasons at the Dragons.
Griffin has highlighted that he wants Bird on the ball as much as possible, which is why he has spent some time in the No. 6 and No. 1 this season and last.
However, with highly-rated rookies Talatau Amone, Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan emerging and expected to form the nucleus of the Dragons' spine in the future, Bird's best position in the long-term would appear to be on the edge or playing as a ball-handling lock in the middle.
The Dragons have had some success with playing Bird at second-row on the left side this season ahead of Tariq Sims, with his passing skills attracting defenders and creating more space for damaging centre Moses Suli on the outside.
However, a certain section of the Red V faithful believe Bird would be better utilised in the No. 13 jersey, where he could act as a ball-playing link between the two sides of the field and also better influence the ruck with his powerful running game.
Looking long-term, by letting Sims leave for the Storm next year, the Dragons have hinted they see Bird as the best fit for their left edge, yet they've also been in the market for star Cronulla back-rower Briton Nikora in recent months.
If they can sign a player of Nikora's calibre for 2023 to play on the edge in partnership with ride-side back-rower Jaydn Su'A, shifting Bird to lock and Jack de Belin into the front-row would seem to be a strong move for Griffin to make long-term.
