Bird far from a spent force: Griffin

It's been a wild journey, from a premiership and a NSW jumper in just his second season of first grade in 2016, to two ACL tears and just 17 games in three years after an ill-fated switch to Brisbane.

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin says the myriad of trials and tribulations has led many to forget the Berkeley Eagles product is still just 25 years of age.

"He's still 24-25, I think because he started so young we probably think he's a bit older but he's still a really young man," Griffin said.

"He's going really well, he's got another month or so of rehabilitation and probably [in] mid-January he'll join the main group. Physically he's in really good shape, he's running well, he's jumping out of his skin to join the main group.

"He's had a run of bad luck injury-wise but everything I've seen so far, the way he's moving, where his mind is, he's really gearing up for a big season. I'm looking forward to seeing him next year."

Read more: Griffin hoping third time's the charm as an NRL coach

Griffin isn't the first coach to ponder where to play the multi-skilled utility. Bird has played centre and fullback at top-grade level and is equally adept in the halves.

He also made his way through the Dragons junior ranks in the back row and could come into consideration for the No. 13 jumper given the huge questions that remain over Jack de Belin's future. He's not short on options, but Griffin said returning him to peak fitness is the more immediate concern.

"Wherever he's comfortable initially," Griffin said when asked where he'd play.

"He hasn't played for two years, or he's played half a dozen games, so we'll worry about that when he's fit and ready to play."

Read more: De Belin drama not an issue for Griffin

Bird was singing from the same hymn sheet on Monday, saying he's completely focused on his rehab in an effort to get back on the park for the first time since round nine, 2019.

"It's been really tough but, all that aside, I've been working really hard on my knee and my fitness and just trying to get back to a hundred per cent," he said.

"Hopefully I can get on the field for the Dragons and play a full season. I never got the chance to play first grade when I was a junior so to come back to the club, I'm really looking forward to it.

"I know a few of the boys here and, just being back at home with my family and my mates, I've got a good feeling about the year coming up."

Griffin will need Bird, a player with Origin and premiership-winning experience, to step up following an exodus of experienced forwards Tyson Frizell, James Graham and Korbin Sims.

"I think we've got a pretty good squad here," Bird said.

"We've lost a few key players with Frizz and a few others there but it's a young squad so I'm really looking forward to working with them.

"They didn't go too well last year and I feel like bringing Hook [Griffin] in is going to make a big difference and I really believe that we can make the top eight."