Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says he's come to terms with Jack Bird's decision to fly the coop, praising his centre's handling of his NRL contract drama over the past week.
Two days after informing the Sharks of his decision to leave the Shire at the end of the year, Bird scored a decisive try in his team's 28-2 demolition of Penrith on Sunday.
Flanagan was full of superlatives for Bird post-match, saying he's thankful the NSW State of Origin representative is at least at the club as they aim to win back-to-back titles.
"I just spoke about it in the dressing room, how he handled the whole week. It's a tough decision for a young man to make," Flanagan said.
"The reason why as a club we're so disappointed that he's going is because of what you saw there today. He's a quality player.
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"In the end I've got to be real happy and grateful that he was with us last year to win a competition and he's here for the rest of the year.
"Good luck to the Broncos or whoever's got him for next year, but grateful that we've got him now."
Flanagan said the 22-year-old did an outstanding job limiting Panthers counterpart Tyrone Peachey on the Sharks' right edge, and he also proved a handful in attack.
He finished the match with 85 metres off 11 carries with four tackle busts.
"He's a dangerous player Peachey - a couple of times there Jack nailed him first contact. And then he scored a great try, turns up in the right place all the time," Flanagan said.
"Some of those carries was very similar to the grand final.
"He found Peter Wallace, made him have a tough night. I think Wallace will be sick seeing the sight of Birdy carrying it off the sideline there."
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen admitted Bird, who declined to talk to media post-match, will be missed but is adamant he will be a key contributor for the rest of the season.
"We'll miss him but that's the game we play. People come and go and it's unfortunate," he said.
"Not only is he a good footy player, we really like him as a bloke and person. But he's going to have to be replaced and next year the club will do that.
"There's not a chance in hell that he's not going to leave every stone unturned to bust his arse for us this year, he'll be going flat out every game."
