Tigers miss out on a Raider, sign Bird from Dragons

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Tigers miss out on a Raider, sign Bird from Dragons

Jack Bird has signed a two-year deal to join Wests Tigers but Corey Horsburgh won’t follow him after committing to remain at Canberra next season.

Former NSW representative Bird had initially exercised a contract option to stay with St George Illawarra next year before seeking permission to negotiate a longer deal elsewhere.

He began the 2024 season as a mainstay of the Dragons’ back-line but struggled for consistent opportunities after going down with an ankle injury in July.

Bird finished the season filling in for the suspended Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth but could be used at centre, second row or lock for the rebuilding Tigers next season.

Wests had personnel issues on the edges this season, starting nine different players at centre across their 24 games amid injuries.

The second row position is also in a state of flux at the ****** venture, with Isaiah Papali’i joining Penrith next year and John Bateman’s future at the club uncertain after being loaned to Super League side Warrington in July.

Bird follows Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, Royce Hunt and Jeral Skelton to the struggling Tigers, who collected a third consecutive wooden spoon with last Friday’s loss to Parramatta.

“Jack is a very talented player, a very good person, and we’re thrilled that he’s decided to join us,” said Tigers coach Benji Marshall.

“He has achieved a lot in the game and brings a wealth of experience to our young squad.”

Horsburgh had been heavily linked with his own move to the Tigers after falling out of favour at the Raiders this season.

A Queensland representative in 2023, the prop began the year sidelined through suspension and struggled to get going once available, with a groin injury also working against him.

But Horsburgh returned to first-grade calculations towards the end of the year, playing three of his five games for 2024 in the last three weeks of the regular season.

He notably scored the winning try in the 26-24 win over the Dragons that hoisted Canberra to ninth on the ladder to finish the year.

Horsburgh’s management had initially approached the Green Machine to request a release from his deal, which expires at the end of 2027.

But AAP understands the 26-year-old has told the Raiders he is keen to remain at the club in 2025.

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