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.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Steve, make sure you use your time wisely. The Kian Cup is not something to be scoffed at. So get your Supercoach squad sorted. I'm sure Mark showed you the trophy.
Australian Rules
Guest
Steve, a couple of things: First, your contributions on this site are fantastic and us punters will never speak with the intimate authortity you obviously have in the game. But I found the first line of the article to be a bit worrying: "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." I hope you're right. But I must admit, after hearing Todd Greenberg talk about Ben's "sickness" and how he has "lost his way" a needed "6 weeks or 6 months" before he would be right...I was startled to hear that after just 13 days rehab, he's been declared all fixed up and ready to go. I say again, I hope he is...maybe footy is what he needs most. But I think we need to be cautiously hopeful rather than knowing "in an instant" just from observing his body anguage at training.
JayBob
Guest
Paul Kent finally said something you wanted to hear so you're all over it. People will choose to believe what they want, even when absolutely no information is given. It's Gold.
turbodewd
Guest
The fact that the whole truth hasnt been made public just raises my eyebrows. He isnt sick, hes all over the shop.
oikee
Guest
Tell that to Joel Monahan. hehe.
thomascrown
Guest
The drinking n doing shocking things is the 10% part of the story. Its what he did is what is hidden. Pritchard n Kasiano have a major connection to it all. It disgusts me all this "welcome back Benny" crap, its just another mechanism to cover the true story.
Chui
Guest
if he was sick in any way shape or form, and he is now better, then terrific. Now can we move on. if I hear another Barba hype story.........
thomascrown
Guest
Lock up ur wives boys, Benny is back lol, i thought Kasiano n Pritchard would be.allowed to return together from "injury" lol. Im sure Turner knows what im talking about lol.
Adam
Guest
Yep, this from a grown man with two kids. I have no time for this clown.
Mals
Guest
Oikee -> Epic Bender Crew - EBC was tattooed onto his stomach.
Anna
Guest
LOL twitter and any form of social media should not be taken seriously or relied upon for factual information
oikee
Guest
Right or wrong, their is something fishy about this whole affair. Twitter was going mad, stories were coming out left right and centre and Benny was up in it to his ears. Let us not forget the picture of the Beagle Boys, or Bargara boys or whoever he got tattoed onto his gut. That is real, they could not hide that one, it is tattoed on his guts. hehehe
Naught
Guest
Paul Kent has been forced to apologize for wrong comments far too often for my liking... Dunno what to believe.
Naught
Guest
Any chance that a (forced) shorter season will have Barba fresher come the latetr part of the season, Steve?
oikee
Guest
Interesting story on the 360 show last night. Paul Kent said that we the public only know 10% of what has gone on with Benny Barba. I will give him 4 weeks. That should just about do him. You cant or wont be able to keep him in cotton wool forever. 4 weeks, lets wait and see. "It’s obvious these young guys need help and I am sure they will seek it." you said. And most of the time that help comes from another club, and Benny will be no different. I dont expect Dugan to stay at his next club for too long either. That is why i dont want him at the Broncos, and to think, we had Reece Robinson sitting on the wing in Brisbane, the coach let him go. Now we have not even got a fullback, that is a culture problem right there, and Dugan would be wise to stay away from the Broncos, or he will end up like half a game Hodges, the weight of the team on his back.