Bird Bird Bird........Bird is the word

[Auntie.Gerald]

did anyone else suspect that Birdy would be demoted in 2015 as quickly as he has ?

[dimelb]

He who must not be named.

[stevoswan]

Must admit I am quite surprised, as he was definitely in our best 22 last season and playing some of his best footy. He really stepped it up, but the fact that it was in the midfield might have a bit to do with it, with our current riches in that area. Also, with Benny stepping into the prime tagger role, the spots for Birdy seem to have dried up. It's a bit sad for him, but gives us added depth in case of injury, given his experience, and versatility to play varied roles.

[Ludwig]

It reminds me a bit of Jarrad Moore, who was a pretty good player and could also hit the scoreboard. He too lacked pace and found it hard getting back into the senior side after getting dropped to the ressies. It's hard to see what the evolution of our midfield will be with both Hewitt and Robinson playing well as on-ballers and both offering good skills and versatility. Then add Mill and Dunkley to the mix and it's very hard to see Bird holding on, let alone Tom Mitchell.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Birdy is a good solid player, and he wasn't in poor form but I guess the selection panel have concluded that he doesn't get a game at present for team balance reasons ( the Matt80 theory, which appears to be on the money) If he can't break back In this year he'd probably rightfully request a trade, he'd be a great inclusion for many of the bottom clubs and he's far too good for any second tier Comp.

[liz]

We have an unbelievably small injury toll at the moment. I think there are just three players not available - Heeney, Perris and Johnson. Heeney would clearly be in the senior mix if he were fit, Perris highly unlikely, and Johnson hopefully (but it's been so long now that who knows?)

Personally I'd have Bird come on as sub ahead of either a Towers or a Cunningham, but as a player to play a role for the whole game, I can see that Towers or Cunningham bring speed that Bird doesn't have. But we will get injuries as the year goes on, and Bird will find himself back in the team in a flash. We can't whinge about not having enough depth to challenge the likes of Hawthorn and Freo, and then act surprised when a genuine first grade player is on the fringes.

[Mug Punter]

We have an unbelievably small injury toll at the moment. I think there are just three players not available - Heeney, Perris and Johnson. Heeney would clearly be in the senior mix if he were fit, Perris highly unlikely, and Johnson hopefully (but it's been so long now that who knows?)

Personally I'd have Bird come on as sub ahead of either a Towers or a Cunningham, but as a player to play a role for the whole game, I can see that Towers or Cunningham bring speed that Bird doesn't have. But we will get injuries as the year goes on, and Bird will find himself back in the team in a flash. We can't whinge about not having enough depth to challenge the likes of Hawthorn and Freo, and then act surprised when a genuine first grade player is on the fringes.

Spot on as usual.....

I think he will be there ahead of Towers and Cunningham at the business end of the year. plus we will get more injuries you'd think.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of rotation going on to give both Harry and Towers a bit of trade currency as well as Bird. I can see at least two of those three getting moved on along with Jetta (who I think will be ready to go home and as he is 6 years this season we may as well get something for him).

[jono2707]

I can see at least two of those three getting moved on along with Jetta (who I think will be ready to go home and as he is 6 years this season we may as well get something for him).

No thanks. We need pace and we need elite disposal by foot. Jetta offers both. He stays.

[Mug Punter]

No thanks. We need pace and we need elite disposal by foot. Jetta offers both. He stays.

I don't disagree, I think he is having a very good season so far, easily the best since 2012.

I'd like him to stay but I just have the feeling we won't have any say in the matter. I was reading his interview today after he resigned late 2013 and it was fairly clear Goodesy was a major influence but all the same he'd like to head home at some stage.

He has a young family and it must be hard at times. If he does wish to go home I'd wish him all the very best and I do think we'd get some fair value.

We are also under a bit of salary cap pressure and we may not be able to match the financial offer from a Freo. If he had an offer to help set him and his family up for life that we couldn't really come close to I'd also wish him all the best.

All the same if we could tie him up for another three or four years on fair terms then great but I just have a gut feeling this is his last year.

[MattW]

Spot on as usual.....

I think he will be there ahead of Towers and Cunningham at the business end of the year. plus we will get more injuries you'd think.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of rotation going on to give both Harry and Towers a bit of trade currency as well as Bird. I can see at least two of those three getting moved on along with Jetta (who I think will be ready to go home and as he is 6 years this season we may as well get something for him).

No way, re Jetta. His best season yet, and with his pace, length of kick, and increasing propensity to find the ball in critical moments: very important.

[troyjones2525]

I feel bad for poor old Birdy, while I'm happy that Robinson is getting his shot, I'd reckon Bird would have to feel a little stiff to be missing out again. I really can't see why we can't have him, and all the other slower paced mids in there plus Lloyd and rotate them all through the subs vest. I know a Towers and Cunningham have superior pace but as far as being an impact as a sub, well I feel they've disappointed in that role so far this season. At least with Bird you could expect him to come on for a qtr and rack up a quick 10 possessions or so and maybe a goal, similar to what Lloyd did for us last year. He's too good a player to be languishing in the NEAFL me thinks!

[Dosser]

I feel bad for poor old Birdy, while I'm happy that Robinson is getting his shot, I'd reckon Bird would have to feel a little stiff to be missing out again. I really can't see why we can't have him, and all the other slower paced mids in there plus Lloyd and rotate them all through the subs vest. I know a Towers and Cunningham have superior pace but as far as being an impact as a sub, well I feel they've disappointed in that role so far this season. At least with Bird you could expect him to come on for a qtr and rack up a quick 10 possessions or so and maybe a goal, similar to what Lloyd did for us last year. He's too good a player to be languishing in the NEAFL me thinks!

I wouldn't be surprised if he was traded for draft picks at the end of the year to enable us to land Mills and Dunkley.

[RogueSwan]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was traded for draft picks at the end of the year to enable us to land Mills and Dunkley.

It seems a distinct possibility but I hate the thought of it. But then again I can't think of anyone else we have, who would have a good trade value, that I would be happy to lose.
Then again, as Troy said above, he is too good to be not playing seniors. There are plenty of low ladder teams that would love to have someone of Craig's ability, strength and leadership. We probably wouldn't get anywhere near Bird's value with a Cunningham or Towers.

[churry]

If there was no sub rule he would probably be playing tonight.

[Triple B]

If there was no sub rule he would probably be playing tonight.

Absolutely correct.

He is not really suited to the subs role, he doesn't provide the explosiveness to take advantage of being fresh against tired players. If there was no sub and 4 on the bench, he'd be there to add to the midfield rotations or thrown on to tag somebody who was getting off the chain...