BIRD’S BLOW BUT MILFORD SHINES
THE Broncos are set to issue an SOS for out-of-favour James Roberts after Jack Bird suffered a suspected ruptured ACL in Brisbane’s morale-boosting 26-10 defeat of Manly last night at Suncorp Stadium.
The joy at Broncos pivot Anthony Milford’s carve-up of the Sea Eagles was tempered by the crushing sight of Bird hobbling off in the 60th minute with a knee injury that threatens to end his season. Before 41,388 fans in the NRL’s historic Magic Round at Suncorp, Milford may have produced the magic, but Bird endured the heartbreak.
Filling in at his preferred right-centre slot after Roberts was axed by coach Anthony Seibold, Bird’s night ended prematurely when his left knee buckled under defenders and he reluctantly hobbled off the field.
Bird will have scans in the coming days but he can illafford another serious injury after last season’s horror debut season at Red Hill in which he battled shoulder and sternum problems which required surgery.
The former NSW Origin centre has been one of Brisbane’s best players this season, but his 2019 campaign now rests on an MRI scan.
The one certainty is Bird will miss this Friday night’s blockbuster clash against premiers the Roosters – opening the door for Roberts to seek redemption against his NSW Origin teammate Latrell Mitchell.
This wasn’t Brisbane’s most commanding display with the Broncos having to overcome an insipid firsthalf, a gutsy Manly side and an injury to Bird to climb out of the bottom four with their third win of the season.