He started his league career with the Inverell Hawks before making an impact in the NRL with first Manly-Warringah then the now defunct Northern Eagles and then the Cronulla Sharks.

A tall rangy player of almost 6’2” Bailey is known for his work-rate and soft hands and often proved a handful for opposing sides across the NRL.

For ever looking for an off-load and one of the first picked in representative sides while in the NRL, Bailey (pictured above) was very rarely contained by opposing players. He was only fleetingly managed.

Bailey was a unique talent in that he can also play a variety of positions on a league field with aplomb including centre and second-row and it was this versatility that saw him chosen for a number of representative sides including Origin for NSW and Australia.

He played three games for the Blues and three for Australia in a more than respectable career.

Bailey is the brother of Newcastle Knights backrower Chris Bailey. During his tenure at Cronulla where he really made his name and mark in the game, Bailey played 103 matches for the Sharks and was a part of a dynasty that included David Peachey, Paul Gallen, Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes.

Despite being perennial contenders, Bailey and the Sharks would go without a title.

He started his career at Manly though, and then moved onto the Northern Eagles where he played alongside Steve Menzies and he played a combined 24 matches for the Northern Eagles/ Manly. He then moved to Cronulla in 2002 before a move to Wigan in the European Super League for the 2007 season.

He has since gone on to play 73 matches for the Warriors and is a leader among men.

He made his Wigan, Super League debut in a 16-10 defeat to Warrington at the JJB Stadium on 9 February 2007.

Currently, he is in the third year of a three year deal with Wigan who sit in sixth place in the English Super League race and were knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the semi-finals by eventual victors Warrington last month.

Bailey scored a try in the 39-26 loss.

While there has been no indication of what may happen next for Bailey there is no doubt he would be a welcomed addition to the nest of the Inverell Hawks.