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Barba looks a cut above as late appearance gives glimpse of potential
GLENN JACKSON
www.leaguehq.com.au
X USED to mark the spot where Ben Barba was trampled, but yesterday was different. X represented his growth as a footballer. After scoring the second of his three tries, Barba crossed his arms to the crowd, a peculiar gesture until it was explained.
''He's our little X-factor,'' hooker Michael Ennis said. ''When he's got the footy, you never know what's going to happen.''
Ennis only adopted the moniker yesterday but he was spot on. ''Just a couple of hours before the game he goes, 'Here comes the X-factor,' and we had a bit of a laugh,'' Barba said.
''After I scored the first one he goes, 'If you score again, give us the X.'''
Barba scored three tries after only scraping himself off the interchange bench in the 56th minute.
Barba has been a talent since he was the 2008 Toyota Cup leading try-scorer, but he has made just 11 NRL appearances since. Many question if he has the defensive capabilities to excel in first grade.
His coach, Kevin Moore, is one of those. But Moore knows Barba still has much to learn so he is taking the slow and steady approach.
Barba is five kilos heavier this year and is already feeling more comfortable in the NRL.
There are so many questions still about him that nobody really knows where his best position is. The Bulldogs have been chasing halfbacks to replace Brett Kimmorley when he retires but Moore sees him as a fullback rather than a No.7. Barba agrees.
''Fullback's probably my preferred position because there's a bit more open space,'' Barba said.
''At the moment I'm enjoying myself coming off the bench. I don't mind the versatility - play anywhere if someone goes down. I'll play a utility role the rest of my life if I get to play first grade.''
Says Ennis: ''He's just a good character, and he's worked so hard over the last few years.
''He was a superstar in the [under] 20s and everyone expected him to just be an overnight success. But Kevvy and the boys have done the right thing by him. He had to bide his time but we're starting to see some of the Ben Barba that everyone knows.''
It's timely. The 20-year-old is off contract at the end of the season and knows that this year could make or break him. He wants to stay with the Bulldogs.
''This is the only place I know,'' Barba said. ''This is the first club I came to. If I could stay, I'd love to stay. We'll just see how things pan out.''
Spoken like a true X-factor, unaware of what's in front of him.
GLENN JACKSON
www.leaguehq.com.au
X USED to mark the spot where Ben Barba was trampled, but yesterday was different. X represented his growth as a footballer. After scoring the second of his three tries, Barba crossed his arms to the crowd, a peculiar gesture until it was explained.
''He's our little X-factor,'' hooker Michael Ennis said. ''When he's got the footy, you never know what's going to happen.''
Ennis only adopted the moniker yesterday but he was spot on. ''Just a couple of hours before the game he goes, 'Here comes the X-factor,' and we had a bit of a laugh,'' Barba said.
''After I scored the first one he goes, 'If you score again, give us the X.'''
Barba scored three tries after only scraping himself off the interchange bench in the 56th minute.
Barba has been a talent since he was the 2008 Toyota Cup leading try-scorer, but he has made just 11 NRL appearances since. Many question if he has the defensive capabilities to excel in first grade.
His coach, Kevin Moore, is one of those. But Moore knows Barba still has much to learn so he is taking the slow and steady approach.
Barba is five kilos heavier this year and is already feeling more comfortable in the NRL.
There are so many questions still about him that nobody really knows where his best position is. The Bulldogs have been chasing halfbacks to replace Brett Kimmorley when he retires but Moore sees him as a fullback rather than a No.7. Barba agrees.
''Fullback's probably my preferred position because there's a bit more open space,'' Barba said.
''At the moment I'm enjoying myself coming off the bench. I don't mind the versatility - play anywhere if someone goes down. I'll play a utility role the rest of my life if I get to play first grade.''
Says Ennis: ''He's just a good character, and he's worked so hard over the last few years.
''He was a superstar in the [under] 20s and everyone expected him to just be an overnight success. But Kevvy and the boys have done the right thing by him. He had to bide his time but we're starting to see some of the Ben Barba that everyone knows.''
It's timely. The 20-year-old is off contract at the end of the season and knows that this year could make or break him. He wants to stay with the Bulldogs.
''This is the only place I know,'' Barba said. ''This is the first club I came to. If I could stay, I'd love to stay. We'll just see how things pan out.''
Spoken like a true X-factor, unaware of what's in front of him.
