Bird has No.1 fan in Locky
DARREN Lockyer says Jack Bird can succeed at fullback but has urged title-hungry Brisbane fans to not expect a top four finish in 2020.
Bird, 24, will don the No.1 jersey made famous by club legend Lockyer when the Broncos kick off their season against North Queensland in Townsville next Friday.
Coach Anthony Seibold has rolled the dice by shifting Bird to fullback, a position he has only played in three of his 83 NRL games, following two seasons marred by injury.
Seibold indicated early in the pre-season that New Zealand international Jamayne Isaako would get first crack at fullback but he is out of favour and been poor in trials.
Lockyer made most of his 355 Broncos appearances at fullback and said Bird had the instincts to succeed in the role.
“Jack is a footballer – he is very instinctive and knows where to be defensively and with the footy,” Lockyer said.
“From a fullback perspective, that is a good asset. It’s a challenge for him but he is enjoying it.
“Playing fullback, you’re a lot more involved. You can go anywhere you want on the field.
“Jack’s been a bit frustrated through his injuries but I think he’s got an opportunity and he will enjoy it.
“Jack has probably been honest with Seibs. He is predominantly a right-side centre and Kotoni (Staggs) has been doing a very good job there.
“You’d have to ask Seibs how the conversation went but they’ve decided to give it a go.”
Isaako, 23, is being groomed to be Darius Boyd’s long-term successor at fullback but suffered a fall from grace in the space of a few weeks.