The hits kept coming for suspended Sharks five-eighth Greg Bird after he was fined $15,000 by his National Rugby League club for kneeing South Sydney's Shane Marteene in the head.

But $12,000 of the fine has been suspended until the end of the season.

After enduring days of headlines such as "Bird Brain" for his "brain snap" in the Sharks' round four 36-12 loss to Souths, the 20-year-old was suspended for 10 matches last week by the NRL judiciary.

Despite being "shattered" by the judiciary's verdict which took into account remorse, clean record and public apology, Bird still had to front the Sharks board for further disciplinary action at Cronulla.

Sharks football manager Greg Pierce said Bird could have been fined up to $30,000 by the board but his public showing of remorse had ensured the club didn't "hang him out to dry".

"The club has suspended $12,000 of the fine until the end of the year which will be activated if there are any other breaches," he said.

"The club felt he handled the situation since the suspension very professionally and very maturely and he did get a long suspension.

"We just thought it was a fair way to fine him $3000 and suspend the rest."

Pierce agreed that Bird's on-field actions were "completely out of character".

"We can't hang him out to dry and I think Greg was, not pleased, but grateful for the decision," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP