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A heart to heart chat with coach Anthony Griffin has reassured out-of-sorts Ben Barba ahead of Friday night’s NRL clash with ladder leaders Gold Coast.
Barba admitted he needed to “get back in the good books” with Griffin after being trampled by giant Parramatta winger Semi Radradra in his worst game yet for Brisbane – last round’s shock 25-18 at Suncorp Stadium.
Barba insisted he wasn’t bothered by the fact that he hasn’t found the try-line since July last year, claiming it doesn’t matter so long as he’s helping.
But an “up and down” season start for the Broncos in which he has failed to register a line break in five games prompted an approach to the coach.
“I have had a talk to Hook (Griffin) about how I am going and he seems pretty happy,” Barba said.
“As long as I am doing my job in the team there is no pressure.
“All the pressure is coming from myself.
“Hopefully I can have a good performance this weekend and get back into the good books.”
Barba – who has also registered just four tackle busts – admitted he was frustrated with his form.
“Yeah, but it’s on myself. I pride myself on scoring tries but if they are not going to come so be it,” he said.
“If I go the whole year without scoring them then it doesn’t matter. As long as I help the team in some way I am happy.
“He (Griffin) has assured me if I don’t score I don’t score. It is how I contribute.
“And at the end of the day it’s what he wants so whatever he asks of me I am happy to do.”
Barba conceded teams had worked him out since his 2012 Dally M Medal winning season for the Bulldogs.
“I guess so. But if you are playing the Cowboys you focus on Johnathan Thurston and if it’s Melbourne then its their big three,” he said.
“You know teams are going to try and shut you down but you have to work your way through these things.
“That’s the challenge you look forward to it as a rugby league player.
“It’s not happening for me right now. I have to find a way to get around that.”
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