List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, is pleased to have secured the services of Craig Bird on the second last day of the Trade Period.

Bird flies south to Essendon as part of the three-way deal which involved St Kilda and Sydney.

The complicated deal saw St Kilda exchange pick 24 for pick 14 with Sydney. Sydney trade Craig Bird and pick 24 to Essendon in exchange for picks 23 and 44. And Essendon trade Jake Carlisle to St Kilda in exchange for pick 5. 

Dodoro revealed John Worsfold had been ‘Bird watching’ for some time.

“He’s a premiership player and the interesting thing is John Worsfold identified him as a player that he wanted to bring into the Club,” Dodoro said.

In his eight seasons at the Swans, Bird played 137 games and was part of the 2012 Premiership team, and it appears Worsfold has grand plans for the 26 year-old in the Bombers engine room this season.

“You can’t have enough midfielders in your team and obviously losing Jake Melksham we think Craig Bird can give us the same coverage.”

“The new coach is wrapt that he has a defensive type mid, it fits his game style which he’s been pretty strong about.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

CAREER BREAKDOWN