Four years on from the best individual season performance of any player in the NRL, Ben Barba is spearheading Cronulla into premiership contention.
After two sluggish seasons at the Broncos (2014) and Sharks (2015), Barba has found form in 2016, and is looking more and more like his best every game.
Is Barba back to his old self?
The easy answer is no. In 2012 he tore up oppositions at the Bulldogs, scoring 22 tries in 27 games.
He picked up a number of accolades that year, including the Dally M player and fullback of the year, the Rugby League Week and Rugby League Players Association player of the year, the Peter Frilingos Memorial Award, and the Provan-Summons Medal.
His ability to score from virtually anywhere and always look like he was going to do something special made him a threat from kick returns and close to the line.
Fast forward to 2016 and while it’s ridiculous to say he’s as good as he was, because he was brilliant, he is well on his way.
So far this season he has scored nine tries and set up a further seven, has broken 50 tackles, made eight line breaks, and run for over 1300 metres, averaging 100 metres a game.
Another statistic that you might find interesting, in 2012 his team had a win percentage of 74.07 per cent, and so far in 2016 the Sharks are winning 84.62 per cent of games.
Cronulla are currently on a hot run of ten straight wins, and look set for a top eight, maybe even top-four finish if they can keep up their form.
Barba hasn’t been the sole provider for the Sharks, with other guys having stellar seasons as well, but the fullback makes them look so much better with his support runs, and they give him good service to do what he does best.
It’s hard to compare him to what he used to be, but is he re-finding his Dally M form?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
2012 form? not really. He's playing a different style now, he's down a bit on speed but he's positioning himself a lot better than any time since 2012 by miles.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The most interesting story in 2016 for me. He really should be 18th man for QLD the way he has been going and if he keeps this form up over the next year or two he should be in the squad.
Wax
Guest
I will remember that try in Mackay for a long long time TB . It took my breath away and only Benni ( or maybe Billy ) could have made it happen. I really hope he keeps his current form as he is a pleasure to watch when he is on his game. Also congrats to his coach for persevering with him at FB. I thought he was gone but Flanagan showed resl faith in him. Well done.
Joe
Roar Rookie
He not quite up there with his form of 2012 but I think he should hopefully have improved his temperament from back then. In 2012 he would crack under pressure, the 2012 finals where he was put under the pump by a brilliant Storm defence he dropped high balls, got caught in goal and started screaming and swearing at his teammates for not getting back onside quickly enough. Then did a bit of a tantrum while receiving his 2nd place medal. Hopefully now with an older and wiser head he can stay in the grind longer and keep his game up when things aren't going his way. Flanagan made a great decision playing him in the 1 as there was a lot of talk of Bird and Valentine taking that spot at the start of the season although I think Holmes will be awersome at fullback too. I think he is a key part of Cronulla's premiership hopes this season.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It would be difficult for anyone to replicate the season he had in 2012 - it was one of the most brilliant individual seasons ever. In 2011 he was the leading try scorer but had been shaky under the high ball and people were questioning whether Hasler would even play him. He was outstanding in 2012. He scored or set up a massive number of tries from his own in goal. Think the tries versus the Gold Coast - where he was penned in his own in goal by four defenders but somehow broke free to set up Josh Morris and tries against Parra and the West Tigers. Then there's the best one - the try he set up against Melbourne in Mackay where he fielded a kick a metre from the dead ball line to beat four or five defenders and again set up Morris. That's one of the best tries I've ever seen. He was rock solid under the high ball after hours of Dessie peppering him in the pre-season and his defence was also a standout. He was never going to be able to barrel attackers over the sideline but he was a master at positioning his body to get under the ball and prevent tries. He did it twice in one game against the Warriors to stop certain tries. But the best was against the Titans. Luke Bailey had a free run at a kick through and fielded it in the in goal. In the time it took him tocatch the ball and fall to the ground, Barba jumped on his back, swung around Bailey's his body and wrapped himself around the ball. Result was a remarkable hled up. Barba shouldn't be judged against 2012, no one can be. He should be judged on what he's doing now and he's among the form fullbacks of the comp and playing brilliant footy.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
His form on the field suggests that he has sorted out his off-field demons. I hope that's the case. He copped a lot of flak for trying to fix his life.
nerval
Guest
I genuinely thought that Barba was a busted flush. That he would never again recapture the form of 4 years ago. I was wrong. He genuinely looks a better player than ever. He looks stronger, his appetite for the game has returned, his energy levels are high, he's desperate to make a difference. He looks dangerous every time he touches the ball. I'm pleased for him.