And there goes our chance of winning owt again for another year, oh the joy of watching jefferies at 7 and morrison at 6 when deacs breaks down again.
Croker is a big loss to hull, but he`s not in a pivotal area of the field, a good half is what we`ve been lacking for yrs, bird could have been the player to drag us around the park, now we back to inside ball deacs.

You mean he'll break his agreement with the Sharks that he won't play for any other NRL team in 2009?

Still at least we don't have the possibility of him coming over, playing well and getting our hopes up. Before going home, being found guilty and having his visa revoked, whilst we get all the negative publicity associated with having played someone who glassed his partner, tried to get his friend to take the blame and then lied to the police.

Obviously we'd only know this after the trial, but it's a big risk, as far as I can see neither he nor his partner has denied he assaulted her, rather she is standing by him, whilst the police/prosecution service consider it serious enough to proceed anyway and Cronulla are of the opinion that he's a major problem who they want rid of. Added to all of that, despite his personal circumstances, I think he is massively overrated as was pointed out by others on here when he was rumoured to be signing elsewhere.

I just hope it doesn't become McNamara's excuse should results not turn out right, as given Bird's circumstances the idea of us planning on him being the final piece in the jigsaw is ridiculous and if we've been proceeding with that in mind, then both Hood and Mcnamara have some serious questions to answer.

I also hope Jefferies isn't unsettled by the whole thing and proves his worth by having an excellent season.

Jefferies have an excellent season!!! I havent seen him have 1 excellent game yet, I `d sooner play wardle.

I meant 2010

I think that's the last we'll hear about him to be honest.

Even if he wins the court case, by the time the dust has settled, he'll be thinking about getting a new club sorted for the 2010 season.

If I was Hood and McNamara I'd be forgetting about him and looking to spend the cash elsewhere.

Not a surprise really is it. I think it was always likely whilst he had this court case looming over his head, and I'd expect (from the amount I know about the case) him to get off with the charges, which could hopefully mean another appeal after?

Agreed, if he's cleared of all charges I'm sure an NRL club would be falling over themselves to sign him, in all honesty where would he prefer to play ?
(I reckon Hood played the "any publicity is good publicity card pretty well"icon_wink.gif

AFAIK, they can't till 2010. If he was to be cleared in May, that would leave five months and a bit - well over the season, and the business end of it as well. Still well worth it for him and Bulls, if that was to come to pass.

well having him over as a mid-season signing wouldn't be that bad would it? someone coming in to spark us up in the run up to the business end of the season and playing in a key role?

I think that's optimistic, given that the visa process will have to be re-started, after a trial which won't finish until early May at best.

Especially when we have our usual 5 or six players out with long term injury. Another player (to add to the 7 we already have) who can cover at LF/2nd row when not playing in the halves could be imperative

It is hard to know sometimes where the sarcasm ends with you.

It was always going to happen though really wasn't it.
It might be just the boost for the side come May time though.

On what grounds was he refused?
I thought at this current time he was innocent and had no criminal record?

but even if he got here for July, I'd still welcome him to the club for 4 months.

It's always good to keep people guessing!

Here's the thing, I'm sure if he's completely unable to get a visa that he'll be able to come to some arrangement with the sharks about being allowed to play in Oz. If not he'll probably either go to some bush league club a la Lyon or he'll bugger off to Union

I wouldn't count on it just look at carney's case.
The nrl were ready to ban bird until he signed the agreement with the sharks that he wouldn't seek to play for anyone down under next year.

Shame, would have been a quality addition to the Bulls and SL in general. Will have to see what happens regarding his court case now..

If he is cleared of an wrong doing then we have an exceptional mid season recruit, but for now we should concentrate and plan for a Bulls side without Greg Bird. If he comes then it'll just be a huge bonus.

But has a court case pending. I'm sure he's free to reapply once the trial has concluded.

well at least its consistent with Carney. Crocker and now Bird refused

Really dissappointed, hope he does appeal.

with the side benefits of him coming with a clean sheet and saving his wages for a few months.

tbh I'd rather it happened this way. If he's cleared then he comes in mid season (allowing same time his visa decision took this time he'd be here for late may.) when we may have injuries and need a boost and with no negative publicity. If he goes down then we avoid the bad publicity of him having played for us upto his trial and have a nice chunk of salary cap should someone else become available maybe on a longer term deal. He was a very late signing so its not like we've spent the pre-season planning around him so he doesnt leave a big gap in the squad to be filled which is situation hull and hudds are in.

The NRL were never going to do anything till he'd been to court. For the simple reason if found not guilty Bird could and more likely would have done is take the NRL to court.

The trouble is it's not even the same. Crocker and Carney were refused because of convictions. Bird has been refused because he might be convicted.