Former Test quick and prolific wicket-taker Jackson Bird was on the verge of hanging up the boots until his beloved Tigers came knocking.
The 38-year-old on Thursday announced he'd signed a one-year deal for 2025/26 with Tasmania, after two seasons away from the island state plying his trade for NSW.
Bird, who debuted for Tasmania in 2011 and played 12 seasons for the state, said his family's desire to return to Hobart played a big part in his decision.
"My partner is born and bred in Hobart. Living in Sydney is a massive adjustment," he told reporters.
"We just decided it would be better for us to move back."
Bird said NSW were keen for him to go around for another season and he toyed with being a fly-in-fly-out player before realising it would have been too difficult with a young family.
"With the kids, the ages they are, there is just so much you miss when you're on the road," he said.
"I was probably going to retire from first-class cricket if I didn't get anything from Tassie.
"I don't know how I would have (felt) about that decision because I still feel I've got some good cricket left in me.
"I wouldn't say it is a fairytale ending but it is pretty close. I'm just thankful I've been able to get the opportunity to come back."
The veteran said a post-season chat with Tigers' high performance manager Salliann Beams and coach Jeff Vaughan was all it took to get him across the line.
Bird sits fifth on the overall Sheffield Shield wicket list with 408 and took 34 scalps at an impressive average of 17.20 in 2024/25.
He could finish his career as the second-greatest Shield wicket-taker of all-time, sitting behind Jo Angel (419 wickets), Andy Bichel (430) and Michael Kasprowicz (441) in a list headed by Clarrie Grimmett (513).
But he has never lifted the Shield trophy, despite playing in two finals for the Tigers.
"(Tasmania) won the Shield when I was away. Any professional athlete wants to win, I'm certainly no different to that," Bird said.
"The Tigers have certainly got the group to push to win the Shield."
Bird, who is yet to sign with a Big Bash League franchise for 2025/26, said he wanted to mentor Tasmania's younger pacemen including Gabe Bell and Riley Meredith.
He said he was open to playing on beyond next season and potentially moving into a coaching role post-career.
