IT shapes as the game that could tempt Jack Bird to become the highest-paid player in Newcastle’s history, or alternatively convince him to steer well clear of the rebuilding Knights.
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Bird, the outstanding Cronulla utility back, has become Newcastle’s No.1 recruitment target for next season and the Knights are understood to be willing to part with a club-record fee to sign him.
There has been speculation Newcastle will offer the 22-year-old close to $1 million a season, and there is little doubt they have the salary cap room to outbid any rival club.
Joining the Knights would also allow Bird a chance to play his preferred position, five-eighth, which appears unlikely to happen regularly while ever James Maloney is at Cronulla.
But on the flip side, Bird is entitled to be wary about leaving a premiership-winning squad to link with the back-to-back wooden spooners – a gamble that could jeopardise his future representative prospects.
Hence Saturday’s showdown at Shark Park is set to play a crucial role in Newcastle’s sales pitch.
Last year Cronulla hammered the Knights 62-0 and 36-4.
If the Sharks hand out a similar thrashing on Saturday, Bird might have reservations about cashing in his chips and moving north.
But if Newcastle’s young tyros can compete, and prove that they are improving, it would at least provide him with food for thought.
Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman said he was in “ongoing discussions” with Bird’s management and was not concerned about Newcastle tabling a massive offer for the NSW Origin representative.
“There’s a whole range of things that players consider,’’ Gorman said.
“It’s not just necessarily about the financial side of things.
“There’s myriad things – the competitive nature of the club on the field, the development pathways, the coaching staff, the professional environment, the impact on representative-team potential.
“It comes down to the overall package and the relevant things in helping players grow holistically.
“So it doesn’t concern us if any club has more salary cap capacity than us. There’s a whole raft of stuff that comes into a player’s decision.’’
Gorman said in all his discussions with Bird, he “keeps telling us that we are his club of choice”.
In interviews last week, however, Bird admitted he would prefer to remain in the Shire but added: “We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. It’s a big decision. I made a new home here at the Sharks and if I was to leave it would break my heart.
“I want to stay here but it comes down to what’s best for myself and my family.”
As well as Newcastle, Parramatta are reported to be chasing Bird.
After withdrawing from negotiations with North Queensland Test prop Matt Scott, and an unsuccessful attempt to sign Bird’s Cronulla teammate Matt Prior, the Knights have a war chest and are desperate to import some high-calibre imports.
“As we’ve said previously, we’re certainly interested in Jack Bird, and we’re working through that,’’ Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said on Wednesday.
“He’s a player that could improve our team.’’
Newcastle’s only major signing for 2018 thus far is 18-year-old North Queensland dynamo Kalyn Ponga, who has agreed to a four-year contract.
