Turn back the clock 18 months and Jack Bird was just another young hopeful, dreaming of getting his chance in the big time.
His is one of the most meteoric rises in the game and on Saturday night the young star will get his second crack at finals football when Cronulla head to Canberra to face the Raiders in their qualifying final.
The Sharks loss to Melbourne in their minor premiership showdown on Saturday night, along with Canberra’s thrashing of the Wests Tigers on Sunday, saw Cronulla slip out of the top two and finish third, with a trip to GIO Stadium their prize – or punishment.
It was only in March last year that 21-year-old Bird, the Dally M Rookie of the Year last season, made his first grade debut after the former Junior Kangaroo had left St George Illawarra in the off-season.
Since then he has earned two NSW Country call ups, a pair of State of Origin jerseys and two NRL finals appearances, while becoming a vital part of Cronulla’s lethal right edge alongside Valentine Holmes.
Bird told the Leader finding a new home in the shire had paid off immediately.
“I didn’t even think I would be playing NRL last year,” he said.
“I came up here to get the opportunity and that’s what I got.
“To play finals two years in a row is something special. It’s something I wouldn’t have thought of at the start of last year.
“It shows you the character of the squad we’ve got here.”
That squad, while brimming with experience, features only four players who have won an NRL premiership.
Some will argue that lack of title experience could hamper the Sharks but Bird believes it will give Cronulla the drive – and desperation – to make the most of their chance this season.
“That’s what you always dream of doing, winning a comp,” he said.
“If I got a [premiership] ring it’d mean the world to me. I wouldn’t have it any other way [than] with the blokes we have here. We’re all on the same road. Most of the boys here haven’t won a comp.
“Gal’s been here his whole life and hasn’t won a grand final. I think it’d mean a lot to Gal and the other older blokes as well.”
As well as the club and the players, there are also Cronulla’s long-suffering fans who are still yet to see the men in black, white and blue lift a premiership trophy.
Bird said it was something not forgotten by the playing group.
“It’s been a long time coming for them,” he said.
“We’re not there yet, so we can’t talk too early. [But] it’d mean a lot to the shire and the supporters and fans if we come away with the win.
“They’ve never got to see Cronulla win a grand final and it’d mean a lot to them.
“Now the time has come and it’s time to go out there and do what we do best and that’s compete.
“Hopefully we get it done for them and for ourselves.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 5.35pm.
