If his magic carpet ride continues, Ben Barba may require a carpenter at his home in the near future. The brilliant young fullback will need to make room for rugby league’s largest trophy cabinet.
Barba has won just about every award on offer this year, and if the Bulldogs can get past Souths tomorrow night, it’s conceivable he might collect a premiership ring as well as the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final.
Few if any players have had such a season as that enjoyed by Barba in 2012.
Consider the following awards that have come his way: Dally M Player of the Year; NRL top try scorer (equal with North Queensland’s Ashley Graham), Fullback of the Year, Provan-Summons Medal (fans most popular player), the Peter Frilingos Memorial Award (league’s best moment of the year) as well as the RL Players Association gong for player of the year.
Barba has yet to play a State of Origin or Test match but if he had been in those arenas this season could anyone have stopped his amazing momentum?
I cannot find anyone who speaks ill of the modest Canterbury champion and I’d love him to be the main man again at ANZ Stadium, even if it means the South Sydney fairytale won’t materialise this year.
Barba is an excitement package in attack and defence. I reckon there will be league fans who don’t follow the Dogs or the Rabbitohs making the trek to Homebush just to catch the little guy in action.
Every time he runs onto the field there is an air of anticipation, an electricity that sets the crowd abuzz. Something similar certainly applies to his fellow fullback finalists – Billy Slater, Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis – but I reckon the diminutive Barba is adored like no other. Perhaps it is because of his 90kg, 174cm frame.
Initially, Barba had to bide his time before winning selection in first grade. Coaches Steve Folkes and Kevin Moore felt he was too small for the big time.
When he did win promotion, serious questions were raised over his flaws in defence as well as his inability to deal with the arsenal of high balls he was being peppered with on a weekly basis.
Enter Des Hasler, the champion coach from Manly, who pulled the fullback aside and pretty much turned Barba’s coal dust into a diamond.
“We are very lucky to have Des at our club,” Barba said last month. “It’s the belief he has given me.
“He knew the deficiencies in my game – he kinew where and why I struggled with catching and my defence. He just said hard work and dedication would get me there…”
Well, Des certainly got that right.
The super quick Barba has arrived this season with all of the wonder and impact of a meteor.
He will hold many of the Bulldogs’ hopes tomorrow night, especially if his team needs a long distance try, or even a solitary spark to ignite their attack against a fiercely committed Rabbitoh outfit.
I am eagerly awaiting a brilliant contest, and with so many gifted attacking players on offer, a high-scoring game would not surprise.
Forced to offer a tip, I lean towards the Bulldogs by six.
Coach Hasler has had his men playing finals style football for most of the year, whereas Souths have yet to learn that games go for the full 80 minutes.
Tonight’s Melbourne versus Manly duel at AAMI Park in Melbourne is being billed as a blood and thunder affair. Neither team will be looking to take any prisoners – if you like your league physical, don’t miss a moment’s action.
The Eagles and the Storm have a history of explosive contests and another chapter will surely be written tonight.
Perhaps the physical nature of this game will have a carry-over effect to the grand final. The winner might be doubling as the walking wounded on September 30.
For what it’s worth, I am tipping the Storm by eight.
Mushi
Guest
But the dally m handi caps any rep player. Nice song and dance fashion show but not best player in the game
Chris morrison
Guest
Absolutely correct jonno. He is the future no doubt. NOT THE CURRENT. Won't be for at least a few years.
Johnno
Guest
Greg Bill slate ris past it now anyway he is too old now. Slater is 29 , brad filter retired form rep footy at 29, in 2001 then came back for a cameo in 2004 for game 3. Slater's best days are behind him he is not the player he was 4 years ago. greg inglis is getting old too he will be 26 next year and coz he started so young is getting burned out a bit. Barba is the one now. It is his time both inglis and slater are yerday's heroes and men. Barba is the future suck it up chris.
Chris morrison
Guest
The day Ben barba plays origin ahead of either inglis or slater is the same day nsw will win a series. Please do it Queensland. Also planko, dally m is an award for player of the year. What ur talking about in your first comment gives him entitlement to bulldogs player of the year and/or most improved player to which there is no doubt. Also a lot of people supporting Ben about being a great player, once again there is no doubt. However, he is not the best player in the nrl and for that reason he is not deserving of that title.
dogforlife
Guest
If all three are 100% fit, Slater still gets the nod for me. Greg maybe able to run through them with some speed and the fend but in defence on the line with the opposition inside your 20 meters Billy is by far the best at mopping up and covering your arse he eats more meters a game by far than any of them (not necessarily with ball in hand). Greg still plays centre, Ben will have to start off the bench as utility and perhaps a little cameo at 9 to get a start at this stage. However if he carries this years form into next year and Billy doesn't get back to where he was before the knee injury SOO next year may see a change. I do forsee him in the QLD and AUS jersey for an extended period within a couple of seasons though form permitting.
mushi
Roar Guru
Slaters per game Dally M votes suggests no.
mushi
Roar Guru
Agreed. Or Scott Prince
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
thats a good question,some of those performances came against those sides that contained said names so regardless I think he would have been earmarked for a top year.. again the awards are a by-product of a guy in the most consistent team hitting top form and him being for the majority of the time the catalyst for the team. Yes had GI or BS not been injured or suspended then its possibly a different comp but give the guy credit where credit is due.
Matt
Guest
You know NSW are screwed when the league's current hottest player can't even get a look in...
planko
Roar Guru
Dally M is not about who is the best player playing the game of the year. It is the player who affects his teams result the most in consistent way. There has been no more consistent team than Canterbury and within that team he is was their best so it is logical he got the DALLY M.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
LoL! nice spanner, if only to bring out some great conversation! Ben Barber does not deserve the Dally M? You must have been watching a whole different competition. Give Ben a few more years and hoping that this form continues and he may well be classed equal with the aforementioned names. The guys never come out and put himself with them, even said origin was like being a kid in a candy store running with the big boys so he recognises his place and what he wants to achieve. guess you have to have your haters?
mike from tari
Guest
Not putting Benny Barba down as he is great for the game but would he have won the Awards if Slater & Inglis did not miss games through injuries & suspensions?
planko
Roar Guru
IMO he would be in a olde fashion Kangaroo touring party to the UK but not in the Kangaroo squad for a one off game against say the KIWI's
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
Definitely not disputing Inglis or Slater, but would it be wrong to consider him over them right now for the Kangaroos? When State of Origin time comes round look at it then but BB wouldnt look amiss in a green & gold jersey and just reward for a great season
steve b
Roar Guru
Planko i have to i can never bring myself to even watch a Storm game ,,there cheats mate and thats that,,and no one will ever convince me that the coach and players knew nothing about it ,,and Grubby Cam Smith and the rest of wrestlemania ,,i hope Manly run right over the top of em !!
planko
Roar Guru
OK in attack probably Barba MIGHT have a edge but to use tennis parlance it is DEUCE but when it come's to defusing attacking kicks and defence ? It is Advantage and Game INGLIS. IMO of course. Btw Don't tell me you going for Manly this week mate ?
steve b
Roar Guru
The only difference is Big head bunny runs through them and Barba run's around them ,,other than that they can all score tries ...
planko
Roar Guru
He is a great player for the dogs but there are at least 2 players that are better than him from QLD alone. SLATER and INGLIS. For me Inglis when he decide's to play is unstoppable.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
The great thing about Ben's year from a hardcore Doggies fan is the consistency he has started to get in his game and the his composure which I can only put down to DH. BB has always been a great player, his Toyota Cup days testify to that but the transition from that comp to this is huge and the fact he has been able to bring that form and play over is what makes RL such a great to support. He injects into the game when we need him not forcing the play or trying to much which can happen when a star player for a team is in great form and its that which is the most satisfying to see. The awards are a by product of a what we can see as a great young player enjoying his football, injury free and playing in a team that looks for all intention THE GOODS. If he manages to get a look in rep-wise isnt that fair considering he is the form No1?
Mantis
Roar Guru
If, and its a big if, Barba does take Slaters spot at fullback for QLD, why would they not put him on the wing? Slater has to be in the team, and I think unless he has a big drop in form, he should hold onto the spot. Like they say, if it aint broke, dont fix it. And your memories of Billy Slater in big games not being good? Obviously that pass in the 08 WC was a brain snap, but are you serious. Hes won plenty more games then he has lost. Of all the players id want with the ball if we were behind in a big game with not much time left, he would be mighty close to the top.