Queenslanders cheering on NSW bad boy Greg Bird? It's something that the Blues enforcer thought he would never see.

Then again, Bird would not have predicted much of the unlikely journey that now has him in sight of an NRL premiership tilt.

As a vital part of Queensland's only team in the NRL finals - the Gold Coast Titans - Bird is suddenly the toast of the Sunshine State, much to his bemusement.

"This is probably the only time I've got Queenslanders are on my side, and they are not screaming abuse at me - that would be different," Bird laughed.

But not so long ago it was no laughing matter.

A candid Bird on Monday spoke of the dark times as he dealt with the fallout over his much publicised domestic abuse case.

"There were certain times when I thought I wouldn't make it back, mostly when I was sitting in a cell," said Bird, who had a domestic abuse conviction overturned.

"Last year I probably would not have thought I would be in the position that I am now - I am very, very lucky."

Asked if the whole saga had changed him, Bird said: "I think anyone who doesn't learn from a life experience like that would be a fool.

"Bad things happen to everybody and I think everyone takes something from that and moves forward and tries to be a better person because of that.

"But football-wise I am the same player. I go out and rip and tear for 80 minutes every week."

His biggest supporters are set to proudly take their seat in Friday night's NRL finals clash with the New Zealand Warriors at Skilled Park - his family.

One of six children, Bird hoped the huge brood would be able to witness first hand what he believed was a month-long finals campaign for the Titans.

"It's been massive for everyone who has been with me through the worst of it - there were some pretty tough days there," he said.

"But we survived that, now we can look forward.

"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."

His NRL resurrection may be complete, but Bird still had an entry left on his "to do" list - donning the green and gold for the first time in two years.

"I got the Origin jersey back this year which was great, and the Test jersey is a massive honour as well.

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