Craig BIRD

2017 Digest:   Veteran midfielder offered up 13 disposals in JLT opener then rested for the game against Suns. Sunday’s selection critical.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

Played for : Essendon

1		–
2		–
3		–
4	VFL	26 possessions and laid six tackles to be one of the Bombers' better performers.	–
5		Senior emergency.
6	VFL	Good contributor in midfield. Had 28 touches and laid 11 tackles. Competed strongly.	–
7	VFL	Strong game in midfield with 26 possessions and six clearances against the Borough.	–
8	VFL	Good ball winner inside with 38 touches and nine clearances. Did his bit.	–
9	VFL	Good effort with 24 touches and five clearances in midfield mix.	–
10	VFL	In and out of the game with 14 possessions, but did tackle hard.	–
11	VFL	One of the Bombers best with 30 touches, six clearances and two goals in midfield.	–
12		Senior emergency.
13		Bye.
14	VFL	Steady game with 17 possessions and four clearances. Tackled well.	–
15	VFL	Got a lot of the ball, but wasn’t overly incisive with what he did with it.	–
16		Didn’t play for Essendon VFL.
17	StK	Got his chance with the resting of Watson. Was adequate if not spectacular.	4
18	VFL	Banged in all day with 17 contested possessions. Very good performance, finishing with 28 touches, nine tackles and eight clearances.	–
19	VFL	Was really strong through midfield with 31 disposals.	–
20	VFL	Bye.	–
21	VFL	Huge competitor in midfield. 29 possessions, 10 tackles and 11 clearances.	–
22	GCS	Gathered 23 possessions to go with four tackles. Played the role he was asked to do.	6
23	VFL	A machine at the stoppages with nine clearances to go with 24 possessions.	–
EF		–

2016 Season

Played for : Essendon

1	GCS	Defensive aspects were good but blunted his output.	4
2		Played in VFL trial against Richmond.
3	VFL	Played midfield and provided some grunt as an inside midfielder.	–
4	Geel	Former Swan did hit bit in the middle. Eleven contested possessions and three clearances.	6
5	Coll	Consistent across all four quarters with his pressure being a highlight.	6
6		Quad.
7	Syd	Couldn’t fault his work-rate against former club, but his disposal let him down at times.	4
8	NM	Covered the ground pretty well. Seven clearances, four inside-50s and five tackles.	6
9	StK	Hurt in a heavy hit, but gritted his teeth and continued to give an honest performance.	5
10	Rich	Eight clearances and seven tackles. Did some tough stuff and certainly held his own.	6
11	Frem	Laid nine tackles. Also won the ball but had little impact.	5
12	Haw	No doubting his workload in the thick of the contest, but not making an impact.	3
13	GWS	Quiet one. Laid seven tackles but only two clearances and four kicks.	3
15	WCE	Tackled and won clearances. Good in congestion.	7
16	StK	Disposal was wasteful. Dumped hard in a tackle, which bruised his hip.	4
17	Rich	Went to Martin, but found the Richmond star tough to contain. Battled hard through pain.	6
18		Senior emergency.
19	Adel	Laid nine tackles and won four clearances and four inside-50s.	6
20	Geel	Shadowed Selwood at times and able to nullify him to a degree. Laid five tackles.	6
21	GCS	Used down back then pressed up for important last-quarter goal. OK.	5
22	WB	Battled along in midfield.	4
23	Carl	Played a serviceable role in the midfield. Six clearances and five tackles.	6

2015 Season

Played for : Sydney Swans

1	Ess	Had job on Stanton and got on top in second half, kicking important goal.	6
2	Port	Curbed the influence of Boak.	6
3	GWS	Played a role with minimum of fuss. One goal and five tackles.	7
4	Frem	Strong in contests with 21 touches and six clearances.	6
5	WB	Not one of his better days offensively. Couldn’t get hands to the ball.	3
6		Senior emergency.
7	NEAFL	Worked hard to break a close tag. 34 touches, one goal.	–
8	NEAFL	Bye.	–
9	NEAFL	Given an armchair ride by rucks. Plenty of the ball.	–
10	NEAFL	Starred in midfield with 39 possessions, 11 inside 50s.	–
11	NEAFL	Influential in midfield with three goals and lot of ball.	–
12	NEAFL	Bye.	–
13	NEAFL	Injured shoulder in opening minutes.	–
14		Shoulder.
15	NEAFL	Back from shoulder injury to rack up 26 touches. Good.	–
16	Haw	Brought in to tag Mitchell but suffered injury and subbed out at quarter time.	1
17		Calf.
18		Calf.
19		Calf.
20		Calf.
21	NEAFL	Did well in three quarters despite close attention.	–
22	NEAFL	Steady game in midfield. Putting hand up for recall.	–
23	NEAFL	One of the Swans’ best in elimination final defeat.	–
QF		–
SF		–

2014 Season

Played for : Sydney Swans

1	GWS	Stuck to his task and was OK.	5
2	Coll	Used as the substitute, he had little impact in his quarter of game time.	1
3		Calf.
4	NEAFL	Very busy, banging down the door for seniors.	–
5	Frem	Returned from injury and put in a solid if unspectacular shift.	5
6	Melb	Gets under the guard of opponents as focus goes to others. Did his job.	7
7	Bris	Quiet first half. Then unwound after half time.	6
8	Haw	Plugged away until went to a rampant Burgoyne and quelled him.	7
9	Ess	Influential early when the game was there to be won. 31 touches a great return.	7
11	Geel	Massive. First quarter helped set tone and teammates followed.	8
12	GCS	Good battle with Broughton. Might have just nicked the contest.	6
13	Port	Solid contributor opposed to Mitchell.	6
14	Rich	Quietened Cotchin in third term and played an important part.	6
15	GWS	One of Sydney's most consistent in 2014, he was quiet here.	4
16	WCE	Shifted onto Priddis at quarter time and helped restrict his impact.	6
17	Carl	Laid eight tackles, but was otherwise a little off his high recent standard.	4
18	Haw	Won plenty of ball in midfield and stepped up when others wilted.	7
19	Ess	Steady contributor in middle.	5
20	Port	Big game with 10 tackles, six clearances and three scoring assists.	7
21	StK	Off with knock to knee in second term.	3
22		Knee.
23		Knee.
QF	Frem	Came on early as the sub but still lacked game time.	3
SF		–
PF	NM	Sub. Found time to join the party and kick last goal of the match.	2
GF	Haw	Sub. Played second half but powerless to stop rampant Hawks.	1

2013 Season

Played for : Sydney Swans

1	NEAFL	Strong around the contests and got a lot of the ball.	–
2	GCS	Used as a substitute in his first game of year and didn't have much impact.	3
3	NM	Sub came on in last term and had instant touches.	2
4	NEAFL	Strong game in midfield. Worked well with White.	–
5	StK	Strong in the tough conditions.	6
6	Bris	Played his role without being a standout performer.	5
7	Haw	Defensive on Birchall and OK in that role but not much offensively.	5
8	Frem	Used as the sub, he was able to make a small impact in the final term.	4
9	Coll	On a back flank, took Swan at times and made a solid contribution.	6
10	Ess	Good hard grinding game and was always in at the contest.	6
11	Adel	Negating role on Reilly worked well.	6
13	Port	Had a run-with role on Wingard but also won plenty of his own footy.	6
14	Carl	Super from start to finish. Loved heavy going and collected career-high numbers.	8
15	Melb	Kicked first goal and ended with two in a solid display at half forward.	6
16	GWS	Continued his fine season in his 100th game. Seven inside 50s and kicked 2.3.	8
17	WCE	Able to get some of the ball while playing his defensive role.	5
18	Rich	Excellent job in running with Deledio.	7
19	WB	Had negating forward tag on Murphy. Squared the battle.	6
20	Coll	Spent time on Sinclair and Shaw and did a solid job.	6
21	StK	Had a big share of the ball in a good game.	6
22	Geel	Stokes cut him up early and didn’t impact the game forward of centre.	4
23	Haw	Had a good game.	6
QF	Haw	Started on Lewis and had big first half. Tapered but still contributed.	7
SF	Carl	Tagged Murphy all night and kept him from being dangerous forward of centre.	7
PF	Frem	Horrible. Coach had seen enough by midway through third term and subbed out.	1
GF

2012 Season

Played for : Sydney Swans

1	GWS	Looks to be one of the big improvers. In everything, but efficiency down.	7
2	Frem	Had job on Fyfe and did reasonable job.	7
3	Port	Kicked the Swans first two goals of the match.	6
4	NM	Worked hard without being brilliant. Good, solid contributor.	5
5	Haw	Prolific ball winner especially in second half.	7
6	Adel	Quieter than usual and had little impact.	4
7	Rich	Failed to keep up with Cotchin and had only 12 possessions.	3
8	Melb	Came on as sub in final quarter and racked up a few good possessions.	2
9	StK	Had job on Dal Santo and stuck to his guns.	5
10	WB	Lined up on Robert Murphy and took him completely out of the game.	5
11	Ess	Active first half and maintained the momentum.	6
13	Geel	Even effort but didn’t have a clearance and only two inside-50s.	4
14	GWS	Introduced as a sub at three quarter-time and kicked two behinds.	3
15	Bris	Went head-to-head with Rich and just about shaded the duel.	5
16	WCE	Played well across half-forward and didn’t let Hurn run free.	6
17	StK	A few good moments including an important late goal.	5
18	GCS	Started as sub and activated early. Kicked a lovely curling goal.	4
19	Carl	Went to Yarran after Carlton man was damaging early.	6
20	Coll	Had a reasonable day in the midfield and kicked a goal in the third term.	4
21	WB	Handy foot soldier from start to finish highlighted by four inside-50s.	7
22	Haw	Gets under the guard with some many others to worry about and did it again.	7
23	Geel	Used defensively on Enright at times and did that OK.	5
QF	Adel	Solid effort.	5
PF	Coll	Played a key role with a goal and efficient ball use between the arcs.	7
GF	Haw	Capped great season with another steady effort. Nothing flashy but effective.	7