Titans: Cartwright - Bird will return to top form
Source:[Brisbane Courier-Mail] Time:[GMT Dec 21 2009 12:06PM]
return to top form Welcome to . Skip to: Breaking Breaking Owner Price Guide Advice & Tools Tips Galleries Galleries s Galleries Readers' Directory GetPrice Wego Deals ads Network The n NT NRL Last updated: December , 00 'undefined' media_form false) : . Shower or T'storm. round 00 Round 0 0 FW FW FW NRL Article from: Cartwright Bird will return to top form By Luke Turgeon December 0, 00 :00pm Have your say! or SharePost to Vine Text size HE IS the most controversial playersigning in the history of the . Love him or hate him, one thing is certain Greg Bird is going to do some damage for the Gold Coast in 00. coach John Cartwright has backed the former Blues and n fiveeighth to pick up where he left off in the NRL and said he would not be surprised if Bird won back both his representative jumpers this season. 'It is not as though he is a yearold guy coming back from England,' Cartwright said. 'He is and was at the peak of his form when he left. 'I don't see any reason why he won't pick up that form. He had a great season over in the Super League with Catalans. 'His side were one win away from the Grand Final after having a poor start to the year. 'When he got over there he helped turn their year around. 'I don't see any reason why, with a good preseason under his belt, that he won't be as good as he has ever been.' It is that confidence that lured Bird to the Gold Coast. Despite some public outcry, the have rallied around Bird since his conviction for assaulting girlfriend Katie Milligan was quashed last month. For Bird, the are a second chance at the NRL. For the , it is the chance to add an ingredient to their side which has been missing since their debut season in 00. A fierce competitor, with that hardtofind dose of ingrained toughness often referred to as mongrel, Bird adds a new dimension of physical intimidation. Cartwright maintains he is yet to decide whether Bird will partner Scott Prince in the halves or bolster the backrow. Regardless of where he plays, the former Cronulla Shark is certain to make his presence felt. 'If he starts at fiveeighth, that doesn't mean he is going to finish at fiveeighth. If he plays in the backrow it doesn't mean he is going to end up in the back row,' Cartwright said. 'What he does give us is great depth in those positions which keeps the guys on their toes and you know you're getting the best out of them.' Bird has been criticised for coming back from overseas carrying a bit of excess weight but strength and conditioning coach Chris McLellan said the star recruit would be ready for the start of the season. 'He is only in his second week with us so I would have expected him to be off the pace, but he has been training really well,' he said. s'He is probably carrying a couple extra kilos. 'But I am not at all worried about it. 'We are a long way from playing any footy and it is pretty easy to rip weight off guys. 'He is training well and that is all we need him to be doing at this point in time.' Bird is the biggest name recruit joining the for the 00 season. But they have also signed exciting young centre/winger Joseph Tomane from the , hardy hooker Riley Brown from the and former utility Marshall Chalk. The Coast has also picked up former Kiwi international Clinton Toopi, who will join the squad for the first time when they return on January . Post to Vine Have We welcome your comments on this story. are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. . Submit your comments here: Full Name: * This field is required. Email address: * This field is required. Location: Your : * Remember my details (So you don't to have to retype your details each time you send feedback) Email me if my comment is published Also in NRL vow to dodge spoon 'Nonames' top try list googleAdType NRL Round Position Club P W L PTS 0 0 0 0 0 View Full Also in Today Rugby Union Thurston wants $m COWBOYS halfback sensation Johnathan Thurston will need $ million a season from the n Rugby Union to switch codes. Soccer CHARLIE Miller has well and truly arrived at Skilled Park. He starred in Gold Coast United's comfortable 0 win over Perth Glory last night. Jets fire: Happy 00 for Petrovski Cricket AUSTRALIA paceman Doug Bollinger believes he deserves to be picked for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, starting at the MCG on Saturday. Turf YOUNG Warwick Farm trainer David Pfieffer will sacrifice Christmas with his family to ensure his top filly Graceful Anna is prepared for the Magic Millions. on your Mobile letters Sections Careers paper Services Get your paper Delivered Company Information
