Sharks' 2015 lessons have Bird believing in Broncos

Jack Bird is drawing inspiration and belief from his debut year experiences with Cronulla in 2015 that the Broncos can dig themselves out of their hole.

The 24-year-old centre told NRL.com it was the bond forged by the players away from the playing arena that translated on the field for the Sharks that year to turn around a dire start to the season.

Bird said the same formula would be needed at the Broncos who have won just won of their first five games.

In 2015 the Sharks lost their opening four games before Bird, after debuting off the bench in the round-four loss to the Gold Coast, took his place in the side to take on the Sydney Roosters.

It was last against second, the Sharks won and went on to play finals footy.

"Back in 2015 we lost our first four games and then we beat the Roosters [20-12] in the first game I ever started in the NRL,” Bird told NRL.com leading into Brisbane's away clash with Canberra on Sunday.

"After that we grew a belief in each other and what we were capable of. We started trusting each other on and off the field, and that is a big part of a successful footy team.

"That is something we are building here at Brisbane. We just have to keep doing things together and start doing more things outside of footy. If we build that special bond we will take it on the field.

"I am close to Jimmy the Jet [Roberts], Kotoni Staggs and Macca [Andrew McCullough]. We are all close here, don’t get me wrong. Everyone has got families and it is hard, but we just need to find that extra thing outside of footy and go to breakfast or lunch, once or twice a week, and that will build trust."

Several of their players are new fathers, including Anthony Milford, Corey Oates, Kodi Nikorima and Jamayne Isaako. 

"At the Sharkies that was something we were big on - we went to breakfast and lunch pretty much every day. There were about 20 of us," Bird said.

"We built that bond off the field and it showed on the field. In 2015 we went on that run and then in 2016 we won 15 straight and then the premiership, and it all came back to that belief we had in one another.

"We have lost four games, yes, but it is not the end of the world. I have great confidence and belief in this team and I believe we will go down to Canberra and surprise a few people. 

"Everyone has got to remember that Seibs [Anthony Seibold] is a new coach at the Broncos and there are different structures we have to build into. It is not going to be roses straight away."

Bird has been disappointed with a couple of handling errors this year over the try line but his energy levels have been high and his running game on song.

He will line up opposite Canberra's Joey Leilua on Sunday with a spring in his step after an injury ravaged season in 2018.

"It is going to be a good challenge. BJ is in form and he’s a big boy," Bird said.

"I was a long time out of the game and there are some areas I can improve on this year. I feel like I am doing just fine but I know I can be better."