If this signing goes through then I would have to applaud Mr McNamara for making a top class signing for us and give credit where it is due. It is all fair and good for me to be (very) critical of his failings but when a positive signing is made (at least on paper anyway) then it is only fair that a bit of credit is given when it is due.

As Dilligaf rightly says, at this stage he has not even been convicted of anything and, as such, we should not really speculate too much on the case and hopefully get the chance to welcome a class act into our side, a player who will greatly improve our side should he be in the correct state of mind (and the paperwork goes through!)

IIRC however, his name was bandied about on here before and there were a few dissenting voices due to his (alledged) off-field problems. I wonder if these opinions will change if he turns out to be a star in RAB?

Anyway, I realise that some people will have a pop at me for this (whats new? ) but I am not really too concerned about what he does off the field, as long as he is doing the business ON the field. After all, I am sure a few on here would like to see Leon back and he is hardly an unblemished character. (and his was proven) I am also pretty sure that few Saints fans care too much about what he gets up to in his spare time either.

Fingers crossed it all goes through. Some genuine quality will be added to our side and I for one, would love to see a Bird and Beaver lining up next to each other on the pitch.

Well done Mr McNamara.

Yes he did IMO he's a quality 13 who can play stand off fairly well.

Its not his wife/girlfriends decision.
If the state feel there is enough evidence to prosecute they can.
Added to that he is facing two other charges.

The comments seem to be on the April case. Has the march case been resolved?

Re the bigger case What the girlfriend said at the time of the accident plus bird calling a friend and asking him to take the blame does not help.

The girlfriend has 'withdrawn' her comments so it is interesting that the prosecutors are still going ahead. The prosecution are calling 17 witnesses and the defence 6.

Only being found guilty on one of the charges would automatically stop Bird getting a w-p. the other two may not bar him.

all said he is a brilliant player.

Not sure that's actually true as Carney had a number of convictions which scuppered his WP.

Crocker is still waiting but is thought likely to get the WP despite his single conviction for affray.

I'd be extremely disappointed if we were playing Jeffries out of position in the centres if Nero got injured rather than give Crookes a chance.

It wasn't his work permit it was his visa which wasn't approved. A WP and visa are two entirley different things but you need both to play in the UK.

If he signs, I would expect to mainly see him play stand off for us though.. simply due to the fact it is an area where we are weaker. I would agree that 13 probably suits his game better, but he is also a very competent stand off and has played it at both State of Origin and for Australia.

I'm still wary until it is confirmed and he is actually in a Bulls shirt though! I wonder when he applied for a Visa, is it conceivable that a visa was applied for several weeks ago?

Precisely. At the moment we have Jeffries as the only real 6 in the squad. After that you're looking at people who've "played it a bit" to cover for him, in the likes of Menzies, Solomona or Morrison.

As far as Loose Forward goes, you've got loads of players who would consider that their best or favourite position already, in Langley, Morrison, Menzies and probably Burgess.

Sorry, I was speaking generically and combining the two. The WP is issued by the Home Office and the visa by the British Consulate in Canberra. Still, it was number of convictions and whether any fines, penalties were outstanding that scuppered Carney

He got a visa to go to USA on holiday and they are allegedly stricter with visa's than the UK

You try getting the paperwork that allows you to work!! (as opposed to spending your money there)

Quite surprised at this news. His off field troubles are well known and it doesn't sit well with the Bulls family image. Of course he's innocent until proven guilty but I hope the club have covered themselves if he's suddenly absent for a while.

He's obviously a good player, for the team's sake I hope his head's in the right place and we get the test player and not someone who'd rather be back in Oz.

It's a bit of a gamble in my view, I hope there are plenty of clauses in the contract should things not work out.

IMO he'll go straight in at stand off.

Easy to be all holier than thou when Immigration wouldn't give Todd Carney a Visa and you didn't have the money left to offer Bird (if the report is to be believed). In fact wasn't Todd Carney one of the players that meant your squad was better than ours? Definately aint now.