Bird, who retired from playing professional AFL in 2017, pulled on the yellow and blue Marlins colours on Saturday for round one of the 2019 Black Diamond Cup.

"He played really well, which was to be expected," Marlins coach Sean McGrath said. "He's been really good since turning up. He's just one of the boys and just wants to be treated like one of the boys.

"We have seven young kids that have come up from under-17s. He's been giving them some hints and tips, which really helps with the development of these young guys."

Bird debuted for the Sydney Swans in 2008 and won a premiership with the team in 2012. He was traded to Essendon Football Club in 2015 and retired at the end of the 2017 season.

After his recent return to the Newcastle area for work Bird was contacted by friends who are still involved with the Marlins club to see if he was "keen for a kick". The answer was "yes".

Bird was one of the Bay's best on ground behind new team captain Billy Barton in the team's round one loss to Singleton - 2.7 (19) to 5.6 (36).

Playing on a muddy Rose Point Park oval, Nelson Bay led up until the first quarter.

McGrath said it was a "pretty tight" contest for most of the game with the Bay trailing by 11 points up until the final five minutes when the Roosters kicked a late goal to extend their lead.

McGrath said despite the loss there was "a lot of positive signs" shown by the team.

"We had 12 players play their first senior game for the Marlins on the weekend - the seven under-17 kids and a couple of new players for the club," McGrath said.

"They put in a pretty good effort for a group of guys that haven't played together and in those conditions.

"The junior kids, they were really good for us on the weekend. Jack Burns and Tim Anderson really stood up for us.

"New captain Billy Barton really led from the front. He was probably best on ground, if not second best on ground behind Craig."

The Nelson Bay club was forced to forfeit its opening round in the women's competition due to a lack of players. Seven members of the team were unavailable to play the first fixture against Singleton.

"We couldn't fill that void to get the numbers required to get a game together so had to unfortunately forfeit," McGrath said. "We're calling on any girls who want to play to come down and have a kick."

Women interested in playing for the Marlins are asked to head to a training session at Dick Burwell Oval from 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday.