Jack Bird has signed a two-year deal to join the Wests Tigers but Corey Horsburgh will not follow after committing to stay in Canberra next season.
Former NSW representative Bird had initially exercised a contract option to remain with St George Illawarra next year before seeking permission to negotiate a longer contract elsewhere.
He began the 2024 season as the mainstay of the Dragons’ backline but struggled to find consistent opportunities after injuring his ankle in July. Bird finished the season replacing the suspended Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth, but could be used at center, fullback or fullback for the rebuilding Tigers next season.
The West has struggled with personnel up front this season, starting nine different players at center in their 24 games due to injury.
The back-row position is also in flux at the joint venture, with Isaiah Papali’i joining Penrith next year and John Bateman’s future at the club uncertain after being loaned out to the Super League side Warrington in July. Bird follows Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva, Royce Hunt and Jeral Skelton at the Tigers, who collected a third consecutive wooden spoon with last Friday’s loss at Parramatta. “Jack is a very talented player, a very good person and we are delighted that he has decided to join us,” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.
“He has come a long way in the game and brings a lot of experience to our young team.”
Horsburgh had been heavily linked with a move to the Tigers after falling out of favor with the Raiders this season.
Representing Queensland in 2023, the winger started the year reeling from suspension and struggled to get going as soon as available, with a groin injury also working against him.
But Horsburgh returned to first-year billing towards the end of the year, playing three of his five games for 2024 in the final three weeks of the regular season.
Most notably he scored the winning try in the 26-24 win over the Dragons which moved Canberra up to ninth in the table to end the year. Horsburgh’s management had initially contacted the Green Machine to request a break in his contract, which expires at the end of 2027.
But AAP understands the 26-year-old has told the Raiders he wants to stay at the club in 2025.