With co-captain Jarrad McVeigh moving into defence following a spate of injuries to the team’s back six, Bird told sydneyswans.com.au that he has relished the opportunity to move up the field and play a more attacking role for the Swans.
“I’ve played a bit higher and a bit more through the midfield over the last two weeks, which is good,” Bird said.
“Earlier in the year I was playing a lot forward in a defensive forward role where it sometimes can be tough to have an influence, but over the last two weeks I’ve played a bit higher up the ground and half forward.
“Sometimes we might need a defensive forward on an opposition’s dangerous half-back, but I think with Macca going to half-back we needed another midfielder going through there so myself, Jude (Bolton), Benny McGlynn and Goodesy are the players playing a bit higher up right now.
“I’ve really enjoyed those roles and I think that’s probably where I play my best footy, so hopefully I can continue that in the coming weeks.”
Bird’s most recent efforts have set him on the right path to earn more chances in the middle for the Swans, after he collected 27 possessions and one goal against Essendon last weekend, which was the midfielder’s highest possession tally since round 1, 2012.
“My form has improved,” Bird said.
“I think the last two weeks have been a step forward for me and then the game on the weekend (against Essendon) again was another step in the right direction.
“It’s been good to just get involved and have a bit of an influence on the game, and just contribute to the team.”
Bird’s recent form comes after a slow start to the 2013 season, which saw him sidelined during the pre-season due to a minor hip injury suffered in the first round of the NAB Cup.
After a difficult start to the season which saw Bird miss round one and then start as the Swans’ sub in rounds two and three, the 24-year-old said he hoped his recent performances would be enough to keep him on the field for longer and out of the green sub’s vest.
“Obviously I had a little bit of a frustrating start to the year being the sub a couple of times, and I was just looking at building on my form,” he said.
“You’ve got to play well every week and you’ve got to make sure you’re in good form, otherwise you can find yourself in the vest if you do have a bit of a down week.
“I guess it’s a bit of a rotation and they try to freshen some players up with the sub role, but hopefully if I keep playing well I won’t have to use the green vest too much in the future.”
While Bird admits he is happy to be out of the vest, he said the sub position was a great opportunity for the club’s up-and-coming talent to prove they can make an impact at senior level.
“If you look at Tommy Mitchell on the weekend, he almost played three quarters, so sometimes you do get on early and you can have a big impact on games,” he said.
“That’s what we need from those blokes for them to keep pushing the senior players to make sure they’re performing every week.
“They are taking their chances when they come in. You saw Tom Mitchell on the weekend and Jed Lamb and those sorts of blokes and it’s clear that our depth is a real positive this year I think.”
