Support for Brisbane's maligned Jack Bird has come from an unlikely source - his opposition.
The former Cronulla premiership winner has hardly set the world alight since his lucrative move to the Broncos last year, albeit due to shoulder and sternum injuries.
However, ex-NSW utility Bird has received an unexpected shot of confidence from the team he will line up against in Thursday night's NRL clash - St George Illawarra.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor admitted he did not want Bird to finally fire for the Broncos against his team but couldn't hide his joy over the centre overcoming his horror run of injuries.
Bird bonded with McGregor going through the Dragons junior ranks and the NRL coach clearly still had a soft spot for the Broncos' prized recruit.
"Jack is a good friend of mine. I have coached him through his junior system. I am very happy to see Jack healthy," McGregor said.
"Just on Thursday night I would like for him to have a quiet game."
Even Bird's direct opponent, Dragons centre Euan Aitken, could not help but give the Broncos strike weapon a rap.
"I know Birdy. We are close mates, played a lot of footy together in the juniors," he beamed.
"There was a little bit of criticism for his first game this year but I don't think that was warranted.
"But his second game was really good. Having that year off gave him a chance to get his injuries right, now he is doing fine - I can't wait."
Bird was a much maligned figure at Brisbane after leaving Cronulla to sign a four year deal reportedly worth $4 million last season, only to be limited to eight NRL games in 2018 due to injuries.
He copped it again from critics after what was perceived as a lacklustre game in his new position of left centre in the 2019 season opener but appeared to find his feet in last round's 29-10 win over North Queensland.
McGregor admitted left centre may not be Bird's best position after his long stint on the right side of the field for Cronulla but looked forward to the revitalised Bronco's duel with Aitken.
"Jack's best position is determined by which team he plays in and for (Broncos coach) Anthony (Seibold) it is left centre," he said.
"But it restricts him a bit because he has a right hand carry on the left hand side of the field.
"But I feel the more Jack gets his hands on the ball the better he becomes.
"Now a big challenge looms for Jack because he and Euan went through the juniors together - they will make it personal those two, that's for sure."
