NRL: Bird sings Seymour's praises

Gold Coast utility Greg Bird. Photo / Getty Images

Friendship only stretches so far with Greg Bird.

The Gold Coast utility reckons he will say "g'day" to old mate Brett Seymour in the NRL semifinal against the New Zealand Warriors at Skilled Park on Friday night, then run at him - a lot.

Don't get Bird wrong - the NSW Origin enforcer is overjoyed that good chum Seymour has followed in his footsteps toward NRL redemption.

But Bird is determined to do whatever it takes to help guide the Titans to NRL finals glory - even if that means tormenting his close friend Seymour.

"I will be stirring him up a bit. He will be making a few tackles," Bird laughed.

"It is good to see him play. I look forward to catching up with him - he is a great mate of mine and he has been playing great footy.

"He was let go (by Cronulla) under disappointing circumstances, as I was.

"He has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, and he has been killing it."

But in an ominous warning, Bird added: "I don't go out there to make friends, I am out there to win football games."

Since they last played alongside each other, with the Sharks in 2008, they have taken similar - but no less controversial - paths.

Thrown NRL lifelines this year, Bird has helped the Titans to a top four finish while Seymour - dumped by Brisbane as well as Cronulla - appears to have finally found his niche as Warriors No.7.

Bird hopes to get stuck into his friend as early as possible, all but pleading with Titans coach John Cartwright to start in the backrow on Friday night.

He only got a starting nod last round after Luke Bailey (thumb) pulled out at the last minute.

"Ask anyone and they would prefer to be in the starting team," Bird said.

"And semi-finals football, the first few minutes are always rough, tough and exciting - hopefully I am a part of that.

"Finals footy, there is nothing like it. It's up there with Test and Origin.

"I got a few opportunities at Cronulla but never really had the opportunity that we have here at the Titans to go all the way."

Seymour can get a taste of what to expect if he watches the Titans' last round 21-18 win over Wests Tigers.

All night Bird bullied Wests Tigers No.7 Robert Lui.

As a result, the frustrated halfback gave away a critical penalty in the dying minutes when he caught the Titans utility high in a tackle.

League legend Brad Fittler - who visited the Titans camp this week - said Seymour should expect more of the same.

"He (Bird) runs at the right people, puts the right people under pressure," Fittler said.

"He's pretty smart that way, and doesn't get much credit for it.

"He will be putting their halves under pressure when he has the ball.

"He is renowned for his energy and aggression - that will be there Friday night."

- AAP