By Matt Findlay; Photo – Karen Watson

Jackson Bird basically grew up at TG Millner, playing his junior rugby with Hillview at Marsfield Oval and regularly heading across the road to watch on as the likes of Ben Batger, Gareth Palamo and Tim Donnelly lit up Eastwood’s track.

So you can imagine the thrill the 24-year-old’s had in recent years being coached by a handful of the Woodies’ legends, and now Batger in the club’s Shute Shield outfit.

After a few years floating in and out of the top grade Bird’s found his home at fullback in the side’s run to second, the Woodies trail competition leaders Warringah by just one point heading into Saturday’s 12th round.

“I’m in a good spot. I played all my footy just across the road growing up … I’ve been in and around the club for a few years now and it’s good to be playing first grade and getting a good run of it,” Bird told Rugby News.

“At a club like Eastwood you do have to earn your stripes. You need to consistently perform to earn the respect of the elders and the other boys, and earn your spot.”

Batger, an unequivocal legend of the Eastwood club, in particular is one Bird’s constantly learning from, hardly surprising considering the former Waratahs and Brumbies ace was a fullback as well.

“To be coached by [the likes of Batger] now is pretty special,” Bird said.

“I’ve certainly learnt a lot from him already and he’s doing a great job,’

“I think I’m pretty similar to him in the way I’m not electric off the mark, I don’t light up the world speed-wise but try to make up for that with smart play and good, tactical kicking which puts me in pretty good stead I think.

“He’s not leaving any stone unturned to try and bring the club back to where we were three of four years ago.”

Bird said he’s also relishing the opportunity to run off Eastwood’s boom halves recruit in former Rebels five-eighth Tayler Adams, with the pair building quite a potent partnership through the first half of the season.

Bird heaped praise on the Kiwi playmaker too.

“Tayler’s the most talented guy I’ve played with I think,” Bird said.

“Some of the stuff at does at training and then on the field too is incredible, you just have to sit back and admire it sometimes.

“I think we’re both playing our roles quite nicely I think and still working in together, but I think we’re starting to form a pretty good little partnership.”

Bird and Adams will look to continue building that combination in the Woodies’ blockbuster, round 12 clash with fourth-placed Sydney University on Saturday.

The students’ trip to Millner is always a monstrous occasion but this weekend, with the result likely to play a huge role in the final standings, is set to be an even more monumental encounter.

“It’s a huge game, two of the most successful clubs over the last 15 or 20 years,” Bird said.

“Last year in this game I was still sort of cementing my spot in the side and a big thing was running out with all the Eastwood juniors making a tunnel, it was the biggest crowd I’d played in front of and I remember that.

“This weekend is really important in terms of ladder position but I think it’s just as important to potentially get the wood over someone we might meet later in the year.

“They’re free-flowing, they’re attacking, they’ll chance their arm and I think they’re the most talented side on paper.

“No matter who runs out for them this weekend they’ll be extremely talented and dangerous, and enthusiastic.

“That does get you a long way but for us it’ll be about taking away their options and focusing on what we do best.”

The Woodies host the students from 3pm.