Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has left the door open for Greg Bird to make a dramatic return to the club that sacked him 15 months ago, saying 'it makes sense' for the fallen NRL star to resume playing for the Sharks.
Bird is set to re-join the NRL after successfully appealing a reckless wounding conviction recorded against him for allegedly glassing his girlfriend Katie Milligan in 2008.
Several clubs have expressed interest in resurrecting Bird's NRL career, with the Gold Coast Titans the early favourites to sign him.
While he stands behind Cronulla's decision to sack Bird before court proceedings ran their course, Stuart did not rule out the possibility of the former Australian Test star playing for the club again.
"It probably makes a little bit of sense," Stuart said on Wednesday afternoon.
"(But) it's never been discussed (his return to the club). The (court) decision came out half an hour ago."
"I'm just very happy for Greg."
"He's had a very difficult time over the months this has taken and it would have been wearing him down and it's nice that (it's) come to a good decision for him."
"I just wish him all the best for the future."
Stuart joked he saw Gold Coast coach John Cartwright 'doing cartwheels' when news of Bird's acquittal filtered through at the NRL's annual football conference being held in Sydney.
But the Sharks boss denies he would feel cheated if his former charge ends up at a rival club.
"The (Cronulla) club were 100 percent right in their decision at the time in regards to the decision they had to make on Greg," he said.
"I hope Greg is back in the NRL - that's where he deserves to be. He's a representative player and I hope he can get a club."
"I just hope Greg can put this behind him and put his best foot forward and his best position is in rugby league."
"Let's just hope he can get back to where he left off."
Asked how he would feel if Bird ran out against the Sharks next season, Stuart responded: "If that's the case, then that's the best thing for Greg."
"The best thing for Greg Bird, as an individual, is to get back in rugby league and I hope it's in the NRL because he is certainly a premier player."
"The guy left the game playing for Australia so he's certainly got the ability to be at the highest level, but he's just now got to get his life back in order."
"That's the most important thing for Greg."