All locked up: Jack Bird to extend his St George Illawarra stay

Jack Bird and the St George Illawarra Dragons bosses have finally come to an accord, with both parties rubber-stamping an NRL extension that will keep the club junior in red and white until at least the end of 2024.

The Dragons have locked Jack Bird up for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with a possible third year requiring a mutual agreement from club and star before it is activated. The Sporting Base has heard Bird is set to earn $1,100,000 over the next two years, with the as-yet-unconfirmed 2025 clause carrying a similar pricetag for the Red V.

Negotiations originally had a May 9 deadline, but Bird blew past that date.

The sticking point, media sources have reported, was that third year. Bird spoke to several clubs over the past months in an attempt to get that insurance boiled into his next deal. Only the Dragons truly entertained the option.

And, even that took some massaging. The St George Illawarra utility, who has played centre, second row, and five-eighth so far this campaign, was aiming for that third year to be in his favour, but had to settle for a mutual activation clause after his other NRL suitors—the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels, journos at the Telegraph suggest—pulled the plug.

The Dolphins were along for the ride for some time too, but recently called it quits.

Powerbrokers at St George Illawarra are eager to announce the re-signing before Magic Round this weekend. The club, it appears, wants to quickly move headlines away from their Storm belting.

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The Sporting Base originally reported in November last year the Dragons were willing to pay up to $1,200,000 over two years for the home-grown champion, so the shaved $100k sits nicely with the club. Bird is expected to play in the second row for the majority of the next few years.

The 27-year-old was vying for $2m across the three years but looks to have accepted the haircut.

“I want some security behind my football,” he said during negotiations. “I’ve had some injuries that have nearly ruined my career, so I just want a little bit of security behind me, and I want to be a part of this club’s future. I’m turning 27 [this year], if I get a three-year deal it will take me to 30. Then I can sit down with my family, figure out what’s next for us.

“I still feel my best footy is in front of me. I know I want to do that here at the Dragons.”

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