Revenge may loom large, but Wayne Bennett has delivered a warning to Ben Barba about bringing “baggage” to next month’s All Stars clash on the Gold Coast.
However, Wendell Sailor believes the dumped Broncos star will rediscover his mojo by rubbing shoulders with Johnathan Thurston in the February 13 showcase – rather than dwelling on rubbing out Bennett’s NRL All Stars.
NRL All Stars mentor Bennett admits Barba will be out to prove a point in a stellar Indigenous team just three months after the 2012 Dally M Medallist was told he had no future at Brisbane.
However, Broncos coach Bennett believed nothing good could come of Cronulla recruit Barba harbouring any ill feeling about his unceremonious Brisbane departure.
“He will probably wear himself out proving a point all year,” Bennett said.
“But we have all moved on, that’s life.
“If you want to keep carrying your baggage with you, it is going to be a long journey.”
However, Indigenous assistant coach Sailor could only see positives from Barba’s All Star selection at five-eighth alongside Thurston by fan poll.
Still buzzing from his Dally M success, Barba scored a first-half hat-trick at fullback in the last All Stars clash in 2013 before the concept’s hiatus.
Sailor admitted Barba had never scaled those heights since after well-documented off-field dramas led to his Bulldogs departure and ill-fated Brisbane stint.
But Sailor believed Sharks pivot Barba could rediscover his former magic running out with two-time Golden Boot winner Thurston.
“I like Ben Barba in the halves with Thurston – hopefully that will spark him like a couple of years ago when he was man of the match of that game (in 2013),” he said.
“He probably hasn’t reached those heights again.
“A couple of times he has been getting there but hasn’t been able to unleash.”
Sailor – who returned from a two-year drug ban to play under Bennett with the Dragons in 2008 – could empathise with the out-of-sorts Barba’s plight.
“Everyone makes mistakes, it is how you bounce back,” he said.
“I think about when I finished my career in 2010, a couple of years before then I wasn’t liked that much.
“You have to come back and earn respect.
“But I think he is doing the right things – we will see where it leads.”
Fellow Broncos discard Josh Hoffman backed his Indigenous All Stars teammate to bounce back.
“It wasn’t the greatest season for both of us last year, but this gives us a fresh start,” Gold Coast recruit Hoffman said.
“Playing consistent footy is a big part of it.
“If he starts doing that, gets his confidence back, it won’t be long until he is back where he wants to be.”
Footyfan
Guest
Ben is a better man now and he will prove all you knockers wrong... I'm s manly fan and I no he will set alight the nrl again watch out teams he is back
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
If he breaks the law then yes he should be given his marching orders.
Muzz
Guest
Fergo's next challenge is to manage the highs and lows that come with playing 26 rounds (and hopefully finals) of footy. My guess is that Ferguson would be well aware that he's on his last chance with NRL HQ.The Roosters won't be the ones tearing up his contract. By all reports, he's in a pretty serious relationship now and is doing the couple's dinner, movie, bbq's etc thing with other players and their birds.
The Barry
Roar Guru
This is a genuine question - as a roosters fan is ferguson on a 'one strike you're out' as far as you're concerned? And how much is enough? If he's out late yahooing but with no one getting hurt - is that enough to show him the door?
The Barry
Roar Guru
And say what you like about Michael Ennis on the field but he is nothing but a model citizen and family man off it. He's polite, well spoken, articulate and intelligent.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yep - the dead ball line try against the knights and the 10 minute hat trick against parra were in 2011.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
I put him in the same boat as Barba, how well can these clubs hide their behavior, take Carney for example do you think he became a saint when he was let go by the chooks no way the Sharks covered it up as we all found out after the bubbler incident.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
100% correct. I lot of people only remember 2012. But he was brilliant in 2011 too
Noel
Roar Rookie
I, for one, think it is a great move for Barba's career. When he was out on the juice with his mates, partying hard and getting tattooed, he was fearless and nigh on unstoppable. Had some issues at home (always a secondary consideration, no matter how hard the NRL tries to say otherwise) but as long as he had his epic party crew, he was going to be okay... Came to Brisbane to try out clean living for a while. Scored a contract for his brother at the Broncs as well (he's a great park footballer, but hasn't quite made the grade yet) but the lifestyle didn't suit him. He wasn't happy on the dry, and his form showed it. I say, get him back down to the Shire, back on the juice and let him loose. This is obviously the key to his form, and not conducive to a Bennett-run club. The harder he gets pissed, the harder he plays. Simple correlation. As a fan of the game, I say, get yourself sponsored by Smirnoff and Red Bull and get back to form, young man! So many licenced premises in Cronulla are counting on you in Carney's absence!
The Barry
Roar Guru
What about your namesake...?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Liability in 2011? He was leading try scorer. He had several brilliant games. 2011 was a lead in year to the season he had in 2012.
The eye
Guest
Police charged him and BHunt with drunkenness and public nuisance in Perth a few years ago..among others
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Out of pure interest. What has McCoullough ever done?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Luke Lewis? Geez, I don't reckon.
The eye
Guest
.. compared to choirboys Justin Hodges Andrew Mculloch,Corey Parker and Daniel Vidot ..best you leave that out..
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah. Luke Lewis. Model citizen
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
Like I tried to add to this before but was moderated out that Barba has a history with the Epic Bender Crew in the Cronulla region and that was the cause of his previous problems with alcohol and behavior, I imagine it won't take long before he's up to his old tricks. Links to stories. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-star-ben-barba-goes-off-the-rails-and-joins-the-epic-bender-crew/story-e6frexnr-1226585460804 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/ben-barba-epic-bender-crew-1735733
Renegade
Guest
"Not the people to mix with"....Based on what?
Casper
Guest
It's not like Ben Barba was a born & bred Bronco who had served them well and was owed some loyalty, he was just there in the transit lounge because he had to get out of Sydney. If you critically assess his career, 2012 was an anomaly. He was a total liability in 2011, showing reluctance to catch the high ball and down on confidence. He was going pretty ordinary for a few seasons before Des Hasler took him in hand when he got the coaching job and papered over the cracks for one season. From what I've seen, his ankle injury has permanently reduced his pace since that stellar season and that's his main weapon. Not sure he can defend in the front line and if he does, it will dent his attack. Hope he settles in at Cronulla, but if there's a bunch of people you'd mix with to stay out of trouble I'm not sure Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Michael Ennis would be at the top of my recommended list.
dallas
Guest
I rekon the Big Dell will bounce back to form before Barba does..