Greg Bird parts company with Gold Coast; Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray in Thailand drama
Date: October 12 2016
Adrian Proszenko
Greg Bird has been released from his contract with the Gold Coast in the fallout from his alleged antics on a recent boozy weekend and, in further proof that there is no such thing as an NRL off-season, Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray have again become the subjects of an integrity unit investigation.
On the same day as Bird's controversial stint on the holiday strip came to an end, the NRL has been made aware of an alleged incident involving Walker and Gray in Thailand, just a year after the pair almost lost their lives misusing prescription drugs.
A complaint has been made to Rugby League Central over the behaviour of Gray and Walker during an off-season holiday in Phuket.
An NRL spokesperson said the integrity unit had been made aware of an incident and both the players' clubs were making further enquiries for details about the incident.
It's believed that a man complained to the NRL after his son was arrested after being in the players' company in Thailand.
Manly's Walker and South Sydney's Gray were both at the Rabbitohs last season when they overdosed on painkillers. The backline stars, who were lucky to survive the ordeal, were fined five per cent of their contract value over the incident. Walker was subsequently released to Manly.
Meanwhile, at the Titans, former Blues forward Bird has been granted a release, with his career again in the balance after he was allegedly involved in two separate incidents during the course of a drunken weekend last month. He has reportedly inked a five-year $2.7 million deal with French Super League outfit the Catalans Dragons.
Bird, who was just one transgression away from having his Gold Coast contract torn up, was allegedly involved in a fracas earlier at the buck's weekend celebrations of teammate Anthony Don. It was alleged Bird was refused entry to the Hotel Brunswick following an altercation with security staff. Police were looking into that matter and a further alleged incident at a hotel in Byron Bay that weekend.
It's understood several Titans directors were hoping to use the dramas as a means of forcing Bird out of the club. However, he spared them the trouble by asking for a release, which the club has agreed to.
"No one can doubt the commitment Greg has played with throughout his career whether it be for his club, his state, or his country," Titans CEO Graham Annesley said.
"He is a fierce competitor and always gives 100, which is why his teammates at all levels love playing alongside him. We wish Greg the very best of luck and success for the remainder of his career."
Bird is no stranger to controversy during a colourful career. The former NSW backrower was fined after he was busted urinating beside an unmarked police car during his Byron Bay wedding. The 31-year-old was stripped of the club co-captaincy, fined $15,000 and told he was on his last warning following that incident.