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Last season he produced a record 20 clearances in one NEAFL game for Sydney University.
This Saturday (2pm) Bird will line up for his former club Nelson Bay at Singleton's Rose Point Park in round one of the 2019 Black Diamond Cup.
"He's a very handy pick-up for us," Marlins coach Sean McGrath said.
Bird, who turned 30 in January and still has family at Port Stephens, recently returned home to the Newcastle region for work.
After being contacted by McGrath, the Nelson Bay junior opted to sign up for the AFL Hunter Central Coast campaign.
The mentor said Bird's impact has been almost immediate with his young Marlins squad.
"It's just been all the little things," he said.
McGrath said he would more than likely play Bird in the midfield and drop him to the halfback line to control proceedings if required.
"Almost like a quarterback role in gridiron," McGrath said.
Singleton Roosters captain-coach Andrew Scott has welcomed the challenge of playing opposite Bird, who notched up 157 AFL games between 2008 and 2017.
"It will be a great opportunity for our players to experience what it's like to play on a person of his calibre," Scott said.
Elsewhere, the remaining four season openers will take place at the new Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex in Tuggerah on Saturday.
Defending premiers Newcastle City tackle Maitland (6:30pm) minus Swans under-18 representatives Reed Van Huisstede and Aidan Watling, Liam Gibson marks game 300 for Cardiff when the Hawks meet Killarney Vale (4pm), Riley Johnston returns from injury for Wyong Lakes against Warners Bay (1:30pm) and Gosford unveil seven new faces against Terrigal Avoca (11am).
Meanwhile, the AFL Hunter Central Coast Women's competition also kicks off Saturday with six matches at Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex. Title holders Newcastle City drop back to one team after fielding two last season.
