Craig Bird Biography

Essendon delists Craig Bird who had struggled for opportunities in 2017 despite racking up big numbers in the VFL.

"Craig has been a pleasure to work with during his career at Essendon," Essendon coach John Worsfold said.

"His attitude, leadership and commitment to the success of the club has been outstanding."

Former Swan Craig Bird says he was successfully wooed by John Worsfold and the Bombers.

"'Woosha' saw a spot for me in the team and he was pretty keen to get me down here. I was obviously disappointed to leave Sydney," Bird said.

"I loved my time in Sydney and we had great success there but I think Essendon were a bit more keen to get me down here than what Sydney was to keep me, so at the end of the day I was pretty excited by that and I'm looking forward to working under Woosha."

Jake Carlisle finally makes his way to St Kilda after a breakthrough in negotiations with Essendon.

The Bombers secured St Kilda's prized No.5 draft pick, as well as Sydney Swans midfielder Craig Bird, after a three-club trade.

In the deal:
- Essendon receives Bird and pick No.5, gives up Carlisle and pick No.44, and exchanges pick No.23 for pick No.24;
- St Kilda receives Carlisle and pick No.14 and gives up pick No.5 and pick No.24;
- Sydney Swans receive picks No.23 and pick No.44, and gives up pick No.14 and Bird.

Bombers list manager Adrian Dodoro said that the club had not wavered in its approach to secure the Saints' draft pick No.5 as part of the deal.

"There was no way we were going to budge at all," Dodoro said.

"If we weren't going to get (pick) 5, then we wouldn't have done the trade, it's as simple as that."

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro says Craig Bird, recruited from the Swans, will be a good fit for the Bombers and new coach John Worsfold.

"He [Worsfold] identified that was a need he wanted to fill (with) an experienced mid that can play a variety of roles," Dodoro said.

"He was the missing piece to the deal and it worked really well for us in the end."

Craig Bird could be open to a move this trade period after playing just six senior games for the Sydney Swans this year, including just one after round five.

Bird, 26, is contracted for 2016 and remains a required player at the Swans, but if a suitable opportunity comes up at a rival club it is believed both Bird and the Swans would seriously consider an amicable parting.

Bird had his share of injuries in 2015 but seemed to fall out of favour after he was dropped following the Swans' round five loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Despite subsequently being named in the Swans reserves' best players in eight of the nine NEAFL games he played, Bird managed just one more senior game, in round 16 against Hawthorn, when he suffered a calf injury early in the match.

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.

Out of contract at the end of the year, Craig Bird says he hopes to sign a new deal with Sydney to keep him at the club.

"I really want to stay at Sydney and just worry about my footy for the rest of the year and let the management group take care of that," Bird said.

With foot problems under control, young Swan Craig Bird is preparing to take his game to another level in 2012.

"I've been able to get through most sessions and definitely the fitness has been up, which is a great improvement," Bird said.

"Those (foot) problems seem to have gone away, so hopefully I can keep on top of that and get through the whole season again."

Craig Bird has overcome growing up in a football outpost at Nelson Bay and recurring stress fractures to become a very good tagger in 2011.

"We always had junior teams, but it's not that strong up there, it's a rugby league town," Bird said.

"We were pretty lucky, we always had a team, so I didn't really have to travel too far. But it wasn't the strongest comp growing up. There was a lack of numbers in most teams in the competition."

Sydney coach John Longmire says he is thrilled with Bird's form this year.

"He missed all of last year except for a couple of games with a couple of pretty serious foot injuries," Longmire said.

"He had a limited pre-season but worked really hard with his rehab and we didn't push him too hard, so his foot didn't come under too much pressure. And we've been rapt with how he's gone. He's played on some of the best players in the competition and done a really good job."

Sydney Swans midfielder Craig Bird has a foot stress fracture that will sideline him for up to three months.

"Craig has had a great pre-season prior to this injury which makes this particularly disappointing for him and the club," Swans coach Paul Roos said.

"At least this setback has happened early in the year so he will still have an opportunity to get back into the team and have a good season."

Sydney midfielder Craig Bird suffered concussion in the 55-point win against Port Adelaide and will be assessed during the week.