I took a long, hard look at Benny Barba’s body language at Canterbury Bulldogs training this week and knew in an instant that he is ready for his comeback.
His trademark smile said it all – the little wizard is happy to be back around the club, coach and players – and everyone is delighted to see him back doing what he does best.
I can report that the spring is definitely in Benny’s step and despite four weeks away from the game he looks to be super-fit.
Benny has gone through the rehab process and feels ready and able to return to action in what shapes as anything but a ‘routine’ club game.
The dramatic events of late February, when the Bulldogs management came down with an indefinite suspension on Barba, came as a huge shock to the club, its many thousands of fans and the wider rugby league community.
At the time he was to be the NRL’s ‘Face Of The Game’ and was set to play a key role in the season launch.
But it had to happen. Benny was in a terrible place, he had serious personal issues, and league was the farthest thing from his mind.
He needed help – urgent help – and with the full backing of the Canterbury Bulldogs club he got it from professional people.
Those professionals opened Benny’s eyes and showed him it was possible to solve those problems, and even though it is going to take time, I believe he is well on the way.
Football fans probably struggle to understand how star players can get themselves into such deep personal strife.
There is the heavy pressure of being constantly under the microscope; there can be mighty battles to deal with widespread adulation and fame.
But footballers are people, and there can be major issues in their private lives as well.
Combine all of the above and you begin to see how players can go badly astray.
Ben Barba hasn’t been the only footy player with issues in recent weeks. We’ve seen Josh Dugan lose his job at Canberra, and who knows what will happen to rugby union’s Kurtley Beale who played up and was sent home from South Africa.
It’s obvious these young guys need help and I am sure they will seek it.
Many fans will expect a lot from Benny Barba when he runs out against Souths at ANZ tomorrow afternoon. I hope they make some allowances for the fact that he has missed the first three rounds and is coming in cold.
You can bet he will receive plenty of attention from Souths who will pepper him with bombs, try to nail him with a big hit and generally try to pin him deep in his own territory.
The Bulldogs are not a one-man team. The players realise the little fullback will need all the protection they can muster and I’m sure he will get what he needs.
It’s going to be a fantastic occasion at League headquarters. Two very talented teams going hard from beginning to end in front of a huge and excited Easter crowd.
I wish Benny every success in his comeback game. Take it from me, he won’t let himself or anyone down on one of the most significant days of his life.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Jackson Topine lawsuit raises issues of significant importance for player welfare and the duty of care owed to players by NRL clubs. In…
Canterbury's board have vowed to "vigorously defend" themselves against a $4 million civil case from former player Jackson Topine, amid claims he suffered a…
Andrew Johns and Brad Fitler disagreed over how the Hetherington-Mahoney altercation should've been handled with Joey suggesting if the pair got all their steam…
The younger brother of NRL star Nathan Cleary, Jett, has inked a three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors to start in 2025. Cleary,…
Jack Hetherington could face sanctions from the NRL after vision emerged of the fiery Newcastle forward appearing to throw a punch at Bulldogs hooker…
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
