PREMIERSHIP midfielder Craig Bird has ended speculation about his future by agreeing to terms with the Sydney Swans that will tie him to the club until the end of 2016.
Bird has been in excellent form in 2014 playing as a genuine midfielder after being used as a run-with player or a defensive forward in recent seasons.
After being out of the side from rounds three and four, he has not missed a game and was among the Swans' best midseason as they began to build form.
He was considered a player of interest by opposition clubs looking to bolster their midfield depth and is considered an excellent leader. However he is a popular clubman at the Swans and exemplifies the club's values.
Bird, 25, is averaging 21 disposals and five tackles a game in 2014 and has proved to be more than a reliable role player. He has also shown his capacity to play well in big games, having played in eight finals in the past three seasons.
Hailing from Nelson Bay in NSW, Bird has played 126 games with the Sydney Swans and has been with the club for seven seasons. He was recruited in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft at pick No.59 as a NSW scholarship holder.
He was very good against Essendon again on Friday night, gaining 26 possessions and he spoke post-match of the team's need to bounce back after the loss to Hawthorn the previous week.
"We probably didn’t have enough contributors last week, so I thought it was a more even contribution across the board," Bird told sydneyswans.com.au. "The midfield needed to stand up because we got beaten last week, so it was good tonight."
The Swans are also close to completing a deal with defender Jeremy Laidler that will extend his tenure until the end of 2016. The former Carlton defender joined the Swans as a delisted free agent for the 2014 season after the Blues let him go at the end of last year.
Laidler only played one game with Carlton in 2013 but has played 16 games with the top of the table Sydney Swans. He was omitted from the team that lost to Hawthorn in round 18 but has been a good contributor.
He shapes as an excellent back-up if the Swans lose Nick Malceski to free agency and with Rhyce Shaw entering the twilight of his career.
Laidler, who turns 25 on Tuesday, played two games for Geelong between 2009-2010 and 24 with the Blues from 2011 to 2013.
The Swans confirmed to AFL.com.au that agreements had been reached but declined to comment further.
