Tigers, Sea Eagles veterans could make shock player swap
By Adrian Proszenko and Dan Walsh
Updated October 8, 2025 — 3.12pmfirst published October 6, 2025 — 11.59am
League veterans Jack Bird and
Nathan Brown are considering a surprise player swap.
Bird and Brown are contracted to Wests Tigers and Manly, respectively, until the end of 2026. However, the pair – who have both represented the NSW Blues – are open to an immediate switch that has the potential to benefit both parties.
The Sea Eagles have already plugged a hole in their pack with the signing of St George Illawarra prop Viliami Fifita. Fifita made four NRL appearances for the Dragons, but is going back to Manly, where he spent his formative years.
The Sea Eagles have been short on middle forwards, but the signing of Fifita, the expected re-signing of two-time premiership winning front-rower Siua Taukeiaho and the return from injury of Taniela Paseka will bolster the pack for 2026.
Manly have also signed South Sydney prop Davvy Moale from 2027, although the club is exploring the prospect of him joining immediately. That move would help free up funds for the Rabbitohs to complete the signing of enigmatic Titan David Fifita.
The arrival of Viliami Fifta and potentially Moale during the summer could give Manly the flexibility to consider Bird, who is capable of playing in the centres, halves, as an edge or middle forward, or off the bench. The Tigers have given the 30-year-old – who has made 173 NRL appearances with the Sharks, Broncos, Dragons and Tigers – permission to explore his options.
Should Bird head to the northern beaches, the Tigers could get Brown in return. Brown began his NRL career at the joint venture, making a single first-grade appearance before establishing himself as an enforcer during stints at the Rabbitohs, Eels, Roosters and Sea Eagles.
The hard-running back-rower has been a crowd favourite at Brookvale, where he is known for fearless kick-off returns. His aggression could bolster an improving Tigers pack in which Terrell May was nominated for Dally M prop of the year in his first season at the club.
There is a discrepancy between the contract value of Bird and Brown for next year, but it is not considered insurmountable. The Sea Eagles have just extended the contract of Aaron Schoupp and are working through delicate negotiations to extend the deals of Tom and Jake Trbojevic.
There is also a cloud over the Tigers’ biggest stars, with the futures of Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula unclear. Both players have options in their contracts that could make them free agents from November 1. Bula’s contract options go both ways, meaning the Tigers can retain him, should they choose, at a price of about $900,000 for 2027.
